SmallCaliberCentral

Hi All,
My old man is looking at buying a few new rifles (204 & 25-06) and he is looking at the cooper models. Living in oz we don't really see many and I am keen to know what is the best model from the ones listed below.

Montana Varminter
Varmint Extreme
Excalibur

Feel free to recommend other cooper models.

Best model for what? The Varminter and Varmint Extreme are the same rifle with cosmetic differences. They're both going to be single-shot models with heavy barrels while the Excalibur is a repeater with a lighter-weight, fluted barrel. The Excalibur isn't available in .204, so you'd have to go for the 25-06 in that model.

From a performance standpoint, all of the Cooper models are exceptional. I'd just choose the model(s) that offer features you like, then prepare to lose sleep waiting for them to show up.

Never owned a cooper myself, but from all I hear on here they are top notch for a factory rifle. I've looked long and hard at them and maybe some day. Any rifle that comes with a test target sub moa cant be bad. I shoot most of mine single shot and prefer a heavy barrel, but I am into precision and feel if you hit what you shoot at the first time a repeater isn't needed.

7mag wrote:Any rifle that comes with a test target sub moa cant be bad.

Most of the test cards I've seen have been one hole and Cooper guarantees 1/2" three-shot groups at 100 yards. Not bad at all.

7mag wrote:...but I feel if you hit what you shoot at the first time a repeater isn't needed.

That would be true if you only intend to engage one target at a time. Not disagreeing, just stating that repeaters have their purpose. For example, three coyotes coming in together to investigate your call.

chris_32212 wrote:

7mag wrote:...but I feel if you hit what you shoot at the first time a repeater isn't needed.

That would be true if you only intend to engage one target at a time. Not disagreeing, just stating that repeaters have their purpose. For example, three coyotes coming in together to investigate your call.

That is exactly why I don't have a Cooper in a 204. If they had a 204 in a repeater......I would be all over it LOL

I was happy to see that Cooper now offers their Varminters in .243AI in repeaters, just not sure why 204 is one of the few calibers that they do not offer in a repeater. I figure with time they will.

Cooper Phoenix, synthetic stock, wicked accurate!

Okay, I can do this too.....

Cooper M38 VR in 20 VarTarg....



Also wicked accurate.....just like my other two. All of their targets basically look just like this:



It's just a matter of time until all their models are offered as repeaters for those that need that feature. In the meantime, it's one varmint at at time!

thanks to all the cooper owners on this forum
I am gonna be a little short of cash for a couple weeks.


found a used 204 phoenix

terrace wrote:thanks to all the cooper owners on this forum
I am gonna be a little short of cash for a couple weeks.


found a used 204 phoenix

Welcome to the club! Gary

This is my first post in this forum & I only started handloading this year though I have owned a Cooper VE 204 for almost 2 years. I have been a shotgun/birdgun nut of person for many years until my sporting clays buddy told me about a bolt action only 22LR club across the freeway where we shoot. After a year & 3 Cooper rimfire rifles ( a JSR in 22LR & custom classics in 22LR & 17HMR ) later I purchased the VE 204. The VE 204 would shoot handloaded Hornady, Berger & Sierra bullets accurately (.205 to .325) at 100 yards. The rifle reminds me of one of my Anschutz 22LR rifle that shoots accurately cheap or expensive ammo without distinction.

I handloaded Nosler bullets in 32 gr Lead Free & their 40 gr bullet which shot the smallest group with my 204 Savage LRPV (.147). I am looking forward to equal it with my VE 204 when I shoot it next week. Since Lead Free is the way to hunt where I live (CA), developing the Nosler 32 gr load has become massively important. I am now waiting for the delivery (on or before June) of my 2nd Cooper centerfire rifle (Phoenix) in the 20VarTarg caliber . Hopefully, all my 20s will shoot Lead Free well or they could only be used to hunt when I visit my aunt in Eugene, OR. Coopers are excellent rifles especially if you add 8 oz JARD triggers with it!

Wotam: First off, welcome to the 204um from a fellow Cooper 204 and 20VT owner. With that battery, you'll fit right in here just dandy.

I'm a few flaps of the crows wings from Nosler here in Oregon, and have tried the BTLF's in my 223's and 204's with very good results, the full equal of groups shot with the regular BT's. They splatter ground squirrels quite well too, we can't tell the difference between the performance of the two bullets on the little buggers. The "Launch Factor" is quite high.

Be sure to post some pics of your Coopers.....we all love good rifle porn.

wotom
I would be interested in hearing about your lead free loads .
I am in the zone also

I have been checking the site for a while before I decided to join and I am please with the wealth of info posted in the forum. The VE 204 & LRPV did not like any factory loaded ammo I bought which led me to a reloading class in the range where I shoot at. The results have been very encouraging so far.

Terrace,

I have been hunting in Central Cal's beautiful Monterey County for about 15 years now, mostly birds though. In fact, I will be there next weekend weather permiting to shoot ground squirells. There were quite a few of them in my friend's place last January when the quail season was winding down. I will be bringing my VE & 17 HMR (Anschutz 1517 MPR stainless). I also have a 17 Fireball which I enjoy shooting but I am not sure if any 17 caliber Lead Free bullets are available yet.

Rick,

I saw my aunt last August and visited Portland as well. I spent an unforgetable summer with them almost 30 years ago when they used to lived in Beaverton. I am really excited about the Phoenix 20 VarTarg and in fact I already purchased 2k cases of 221 Fireball from Midway & the 8 oz JARD trigger is already in my safe waiting. I am hooked!

Wotam