SmallCaliberCentral

Cooper M52 Excaliber in .25-06. Since falling off the deep end for Coopers, I have always been intrigued by a Cooper repeater. I had an opportunity recently to grab one in the Excalibur version. It has a few upgrades that are no longer an option. This includes the silver, stainless, fluted barrel. I also love the spriral fluted bolt.

I am planning on an October pronghorn hunt in Wyoming. I know that it can be cold and wet so I figured I didn't want a beautiful wood stock exposed to the elements.

I spent yesterday lapping a set of low Leupold rings and mounting a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40mm Long Range scope with a fine duplex reticle to the rifle. The low rings are perfect....great cheek weld...perfect eye relief.

Barrel break-in next....then work up a load that will hopefully shoot a 100 gr Barnes TSX bullet.

CVM.............Congrads what a beautiful piece your have there! Love the combination, fluted barrel, sprial fluted bolt and top notch optiics "Leupold". Hope she shoots small groups for you.
Thanks for sharing and nice pics!
Later
Ray P

CVM: Now THAT is what I call a sweet speed goat rig! That rifle is a sweetie in every way, and in an excellent caliber for the prairie goats too. I hope you get a nice long shot to justify the rifle and caliber, and don't surprise a nice buck while coming over a rise at 50 yards!

Excellent choice of optics and execution all around, as well as very high quality photos to boot. Be sure to post the adventure when you return from the wide open spaces. You know how we love pictures around here.....

Thanks for the well wishes and compliments. If it shoots like my other Coopers I will be thrilled. I am not a novice at hunting but this will be my 1st pronghorn hunt. The good news is that I am joining two very experienced pronghorn hunters who fill their tag every year. I'll post target groups soon enough and hopefully Wyoming pronghorn pics in October.

I'll be joining the same gents in South Dakota in July for some prairie dog whacking. This will be my 4th year joining them. My 10 year old son will be joining us for the 1st time. I am excited.

My favorite p-dog rig (Cooper M21 Montana Varminter):



In my favorite p-dog caliber:

CVM,
That is indeed a perfect set-up. Your Cooper has a great combination of beauty and practicality. I think that after the pronghorn hunt you'll also have to take it on a sheep hunt, a muley hunt, and even a mountain goat hunt... to help justify the getting the perfect gun, ofcourse.
And great pictures!! They definitely add to this great site.

Nice rifles - and wow! The photography is great!!!!

Beautifull rigs and excellent photo quality.

CVM:

A Cooper Model 52 is on my wishlist. I already have two nice Sakos in 25-06, but another one in a Cooper would be great.

Do you know if Cooper will make the 52 in a 6.5-06?

I am interested to know how yours shoots. That .5 MOA accuracy guaranty is hard to beat.

I gota have one of those!!

Dittos. Sweet looking rig. Post some groups when you get it dialed in.

Oh My Gosh! More Cooper porn! I don't even have a scope for my new cooper and here we go with more pictures of beautiful coopers! How does your 21 like the hunting shack ammo? Gary

Cooper Varmint Man - did you get that new .25-06 shooting well? I'd imagine it will do just fine...

I've had excellent results with the little 100 gr Barnes TSX over a stout charge of H4350, moving it at 3340 fps. Two shots = two very dead mule deer bucks. Never moved after the shot.

Took another buck last season with the 115 gr Berger VLD. Very interesting bullet that one... Nailed the mule deer just fine, and the same load (about 3200 fps) worked great on coyotes and rock chucks too. I used Retumbo with the heavier bullet.

My rifle is a plain ol' Rem 700 CDL, not a fancy Cooper, but over the past four years it has served well in both Washington and Wyoming! Love the .25-06 as a multi-purpose deer/coyote/rock chuck cartridge...

Post up some range results when you can - and am looking forward to hearing about your antelope hunt as well!

Regards, Guy