Cooper rifles

[jglabe]

I am looking at getting a 25-06 ackley.
A friend of mine said to look into cooper rifles. They look pretty nice. Does anyone here have any experience with them? Thinking about ordering one soon and would like some first hand opinions.

Thanks

[Monster]

Really nice rifles but skip the Ackley 25 and get a 257 Weatherby.

[tanks]

A friend of mine has a couple and loves them.

[MongooseV8]

The 25-06 Ackley would be as fast or faster as the 257 Weatherby and without the belt. The Coopers I have had in my hands have been some of the nicest fit/finish firearms Ive ever been exposed to.

[jglabe]

Thanks for all the quick responses. Any idea of how long it takes them to make a rifle?

[NapalmCheese]

The 25-06 Ackley would be as fast or faster as the 257 Weatherby and without the belt.

With little to no provision for buying commercial ammo.

[MongooseV8]

With little to no provision for buying commercial ammo.

Its much easier to find factory 25-06 at any store. Load into rifle and shoot.

[NapalmCheese]

Its much easier to find factory 25-06 at any store. Load into rifle and shoot.

But then you don't get the velocity you were looking for.

You can't have it both ways without going with the .257 Weatherby. Factory ammo at that sort of velocity in a quarter bore leads to .257 Weatherby. Whether or not factory ammo is even a consideration for the OP we don't know. I'm guessing it's not a consideration.

[pdq_wizzard]

But then you don't get the velocity you were looking for.

You can't have it both ways without going with the .257 Weatherby. Factory ammo at that sort of velocity in a quarter bore leads to .257 Weatherby. Whether or not factory ammo is even a consideration for the OP we don't know.

Most people I know that would buy a rifle like that will be ordering a reloading die set cut with the same reamer at the same time as the rifle.

[MongooseV8]

Yes I agree. You dont order a rifle like a Cooper in an AI chamber unless you plan to shoot hand loaded AI ammo. I was just pointing out you can shoot off the shelf 25-06 ammo in an AI chamber.

[NapalmCheese]

Yes I agree. You dont order a rifle like a Cooper in an AI chamber unless you plan to shoot hand loaded AI ammo. I was just pointing out you can shoot off the shelf 25-06 ammo in an AI chamber.

Unless you're some dude with more dollars than sense.

[MongooseV8]

Unless you're some dude with more dollars than sense.

True there are a lot of us out there.

[Monster]

The 25-06 Ackley would be as fast or faster as the 257 Weatherby and without the belt. The Coopers I have had in my hands have been some of the nicest fit/finish firearms Ive ever been exposed to.

To get 3500fps from the Ackley you need a 26"-28" barrel and you are living a tad on the dangerous side if you go more I have seen 3550ish with sticky bolts and brass lasts for about three loadings depending. The Weatherby will do 3600 fps from a 24" barrel and 3700 fps from a 26". all using 100 grain pills the Ackley falls off pace faster with 115's -120's. The Ackley dies will run about $85 or more depending on make. Weatherby dies are $35ish and $25 used. Onece fired 257 brass runs $15-$20 per 20, yes more than 26-06 but its Better brass and the 257 can be made from 7mm Remington mag brass by just running it through the 257 dies. You get a slightly shorter neck but it hurts nothing especially since the rifle will not be used for competition shooting or anything of that nature I'm sure. Ackely's are really cool but they are not Weatherby's. Just putting this here for those who are looking at either cartridge. PS, the belt bothers nothing.

[jglabe]

I can't remember the last time I bought factory ammo. I reload all of my own ammo, and will do so with this gun. I plan on getting a 26" barrel, and realize I will probably lose about 100fps to the weatherby. I am fine with that. I really just want a nice looking and shooting rifle that can be passed down through the family. I have never had a nice rifle before, and thought it was time.

[MongooseV8]

To get 3500fps from the Ackley you need a 26"-28" barrel and you are living a tad on the dangerous side if you go more I have seen 3550ish with sticky bolts and brass lasts for about three loadings depending. The Weatherby will do 3600 fps from a 24" barrel and 3700 fps from a 26". all using 100 grain pills the Ackley falls off pace faster with 115's -120's. The Ackley dies will run about $85 or more depending on make. Weatherby dies are $35ish and $25 used. Onece fired 257 brass runs $15-$20 per 20, yes more than 26-06 but its Better brass and the 257 can be made from 7mm Remington mag brass by just running it through the 257 dies. You get a slightly shorter neck but it hurts nothing especially since the rifle will not be used for competition shooting or anything of that nature I'm sure. Ackely's are really cool but they are not Weatherby's. Just putting this here for those who are looking at either cartridge. PS, the belt bothers nothing.

According to published load data the heavier hunting weight bullets the 25-06 gets closer to the 257. Within 150-200 fps, the Ackley is right there with the 257. Most precision shooters hate belted cartridges. I never said one is better than the other, just pointing out the OP isn't crazy for wanting a 25-06 AI.