SmallCaliberCentral

[/quote]As far as the scope, I'm looking at either the Nikon Buckmaster/Monarch or the Leupold VX-3. Any recommendations on which one or which power?[/quote]

Most here know I'm pretty biased towards Leupold, but in this case, I'd put either a VX3 4.5-14X or a VX3 6.5-20X. It would depend on what you want to use the rifle for, but both are excellent varmint scopes and both can be had with 30mm tubes (LR), target, M1 or M3 turrets, choice of reticles such as the Varmint Hunter Reticle, along with crystal clear optics at all powers. Don't think the Nikon has any of these options......

I've got five VX3 6.5-20X's on various varmint rifles, and I'd not trade any of them for any other optic available right now.

This is one of them on my M21 Cooper just after removing the 3.5-10X Leupold Tactical I had on it temporarily for a squirrel shoot.



Since the photo was taken, all my VX3's have had the Leupold Alumina flip covers installed, and the rubber Butler Creek cover deep sixed..... Very cool scope covers that fold flat if wanted. Nikon does not offer anything like this either, but cost less too. Just remember: You get what you pay for (usually....).

Rick:

Are the scopes you mentioned the VX-III or the newer VX-3...?

The reason I ask is that I bought one of the new VX-3 scopes (4.5X14), and if this one is indicative, they are well worth the money. I have quite a few VX-III scopes and they are very nice, but the newer model is definitely an obvious visual improvement when you look through it....

Just curious....

-BCB

BCB: The five scopes I refer to are all the newer VX3. I too noticed the optical superiority over the older VX-III in terms of clarity, brightness and resolution, not to mention that they also are 30mm tubes and of heavier tube construction. In fact all internals were upgraded and improved including dual coil erector springs.

The added benefit of their Alumina flip covers is just icing on the cake. This is the ocular cover:



Objective cover:



And the objective cover folded flat so as not to obscure the shooters down range view over the scope (both fold flat):



A much nicer arangement than the older Butler Creek covers (that still work just fine), and are at home on precison machined anodized alloy.

I'll second what Rick has said already. Get the VX-3, you won't be disappointed. Leupold did their homework on this model. IMO, they're as clear as a Zeiss Conquest, optically.

You won't be disappointed.

Jim

I have four Cooper rifles and love them all. Each shoots wonderfully. I have Leupolds on two of them, and NightForce optics on the other two.

To keep you guys updated: The Cooper should be at my FFL by Tuesday, and I ordered my scope today as well. I decided on the Leupold VX-3 6.5-20x40 LR with varmint reticle. The anticipation is KILLIN me

Congratulations! I promise you won't be disappointed, and I'm sure the others will agree. Remember, we love pictures.

Try to tell yourself that the anticipation is half the fun.........

Rick in Oregon wrote:I promise you won't be disappointed, and I'm sure the others will agree.

Nah, he's going to hate it. Being the nice guy that I am, though, I'll take it off his hands (at a moderate discount, of course).

Rifle came in early so of course I had to go pick it up and drool over it. Here it is! (no scope yet though )

Uh oh...this Cooper fever must be contagious. I'd kicked around the idea of adding a better stock to my Rem. LVSF .204, but really wanted more barrel yet still be "carryable". Cost of an H-S stock would have put the cost of that combo in the range of a new VSSF-II or a C-Z Kevlar 527 so was considering one of those two. Had looked at Coopers but they were another notch up in price, and also wanted a repeater. Was at a dealer this AM for some other stuff. Thought I was "safe" from temptation as the ad for in-stock Coopers being $200 off had run out yesterday, and anyway, they never have the caliber/style you want in stock, right? On passing, asked the young man behind the counter what cal.'s those Coopers were; one was a .204. "Well, if I did get that brand, it would be the M Varminter with the cool Buick holes in the stock, so I guess it would be safe to handle this regular ol' 21 Varminter for just a minute," I was thinking...then the kid checked with his boss and they honored the discount which made it just a little more than the VSSF II and, hey, I can live with a smooth-cycling single shot...
Boy, is this thing a sweetie. Will post pix soon.

Not being a varmint hunter, just a predator hunter.....why do Coopers only make single shots?
I know someone will say, if you own a Cooper you will only need one shot.
I just flat out like the looks of them and could have already had one but I like more rounds ready to go, than just one.

In Christ,

Song Dog

Do you guys recommend using a nylon brush or the standard bronze brush to clean out the Cooper barrel? Also, I noticed Coopers instructions for breaking in the barrel in their manual. Is there anything else I should do other than what they said? Cleaning after every shot seems a bit excessive.

I followed the guide lines from the Cooper booklet. Make sure you have a good bore guide, and .20 cal rod. I think I used the nylon brushes, but I have since uses both nylon and bronze. Very nice looking rifle!

Song Dog wrote:Not being a varmint hunter, just a predator hunter.....why do Coopers only make single shots?
I know someone will say, if you own a Cooper you will only need one shot.
I just flat out like the looks of them and could have already had one but I like more rounds ready to go, than just one.

In Christ,

Song Dog

Cooper makes repeating rifles. No excuses now.....

The Model 52 (long action) and the Model 54 (short action) are CF repeaters. The Model 57's are RF repeating rifles..

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/our_rifles_new.php

-BCB

A few photos of the Cooper MTV (AAA French, fluted barrel, spiral fluted bolt) I, finally, picked up this morning. Just put the scope on and with no scope sighting was on the target with the first shot. With a few clicks it'll be on zero.