Thoughts on Cooper 21 in .204 Ruger

[Calif Hunter]

I am contemplating a trade for a Cooper Model 21 in .204 Ruger. I am mainly looking at this for prairie dogs. I already have a .223 and .22-250 for varmints, but will I be able to see my hits with the .204?

What are your thoughts on its value? Any experience with Coopers?

Thanks!

[rm1911]

[damon1272]

My old man has a cooper. First rifle had the scope mount hole canted. They finally honored to repair it but it took a bit as they had to replace the receiver. Short of that (should have never of happened) the rifle is scary accurate for a 308 hunting rifle. Would I buy one, Yes.

[Calif Hunter]

Thanks - a couple friends of mine had accuracy issues and headspace issues with Coopers in .17 HMR. They went around and around with Cooper, and one of them finally sold the rifle as he could get no satisfaction from Cooper. He finally got them to admit that they shot the new test target at 25 yards after he sent it back to them.

This one is from a friend who I trust, and he says it is a half-inch shooter. Yes, I am trading an expensive custom MRC with a Serengeti Stockworks stock (Leopard pattern) and handlapped barrel. Hand checkered with ironwood foreend tip and grip cap. Bedded by Serengeti too. (Serengeti is now Kilamanjaro Rifleworks and they charge around $5k to 6k for a rifle.) I also have a MacMillan Edge stock for it. It is a .358 Win stainless that has shot 1/4 inch 3 shot groups. I would even ask for extra over the Cooper for the trade.

My main hunting/shooting trips now are for varmints.

[Calif Hunter]

204 looks like a real barrel burner. Not much else it can do but vaporize gophers. Which is fun, don’t get me wrong, but you’d better really hate gophers.


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I reload, so I don't have to load them to 4000 FPS+

I think the smaller caliber might be real soft shooting at 3500 or so. Anyone with experience with the .204 Ruger round?

[mjmagee67]

I've never read it was a barrel burner....it's not in the class as a 22-250.

With both my 204s (Savage and Kimber) they tend to shoot better with hotter loads. One has a 22in fluted heavy varmint the other is a 26in heavy varmint.

[ar15barrels]

Anyone with experience with the .204 Ruger round?

[Spyder]

I had one (not a cooper, just a 204)...probably more than 10 years ago now. It was really fun, really easy to shoot, and no recoil at all.

I'll never forget the jackrabbit I shot in the head. I found the headless body, with two ears laying 15 feet in either direction. Impressive. 🐇