I have (and had)at least a couple dozen centerfires ranging from .17 Ackley Hornet to .338/06. Accuracy in all was superb, couldn't ask for better really.
Rimfires has been sort of a crapshoot for me. Have (and had) well over a dozen. Had a TRP and a couple of LVT's that 1/2"groups at 50 yards was about all they could do. But I've had maybe 6 or more that would equal (or almost) equal the test target.
I think a few guys will chime in here with their thoughts.

 

I'd like add a bit here..Ammo used was either SK Rifle Match,Lapua Midas 'M' or Eely Black Box which was the worst.
But they are sure good looking. Cosmetics does count for something

 

I'd like add a bit here..Ammo used was either SK Rifle Match,Lapua Midas 'M' or Eely Black Box which was the worst.
But they are sure good looking. Cosmetics does count for something

To me, in that price range appearance counts a lot. Made in America counts for a lot.

Accuracy is as good as anything out there.

I'm amazed folks drop $2500 on a rifle with a plastic stock. The Voodoo reminds me of a Chrysler 300...Tom

 

Coopers

I've had 6 rimfires, 5 of them shot better than the guarantee. The 1 that didn't, didn't miss by much. Still have 3. Also have 3 centerfires that beat the guarantee, 2 shoot .1's and the other is an honest 1/4" rifle.

 

I have been unable to duplicate the accuracy target using Lapua CenterX.
I have given up on /CenterX.
Today I tried some Lapua Polar Biathlon: 1.00, 0.91, 1.52 and 1.40.
All were 10 shots at 100 yards using the Montana Varminter.
Negligible wind and 4 degrees C.

The next session will be with the JSR.

 

Are the "new" Cooper rifles as good as the original (before the company changed hands)?

 

No factory rifle competes with the custom barrel availability of the Vudoo, jmo.
The action, magazine, and trigger options are superior too.

 

I bought a Cooper off a member here and it shoots really well. Very pretty to look at too. So if you are looking for an American made sporter, it would be hard to do better. That said, mine is a sporter and my dedicated bench rifles will out-shoot the Cooper for groups, not, I think, because of any superiority of the barrel, but because I find a sporter a difficult rifle to return precisely to battery -- even on a rest -- shot after shot. That's where a dedicated BR stock really helps. All those straight lines at the forearm and buttstock make return to battery a cinch. Or put it another way: I think a better shooter could do better with my Cooper than I can, if that makes any sense. Take the following as just one man's opinion -- worth about what you are paying for it.

So for a current-production, American made bolt rifle in a sporter stock what else is out there? Quite a lot, actually. It is a great time to be interested in this stuff, but no one is making a direct competitor the Cooper, really. Closest in quality would be an Anschutz 1710 or 1712, but these are German. Marlin(!), Ruger and Savage make plenty of .22 LR models, but I have never shot one one that could compete with my Cooper on accuracy and looks. Vudoo rifles can be really accurate and they are American made -- they have a different design philosophy than the Coopers, but will make anything you want, as long as you like that big AICS magazine or want to shoot single shot. For a Vudoo sporter, look at their Sinister, Raven, or Crow models. And Vudoo seems to have blazed something of a trail as there are at least three companies trying to play in the same sandbox: Bergara (not US-made), Deuce Ultimatum (still in development?) and RimX. I haven't handled any of these but the Bergara and while it is a nice rifle, the Vudoo is better in about nine ways. These aren't really sporters either, although perhaps they could be configured that way. Henry's are nice, but not in the same league. Christiansen Arms has some models you might want to look at, although I have never handled, much less shot one.

If "American made" is off the table, I'd look at an Anschutz 54-action sporter. There are a lot more of these out there used than used Coopers and mine is just as accurate for 1/2 the price (used Annie vs. new Cooper). I'd also look at a Lithgow 101 or a Tikka TX-1.

Finally, there is the full custom option, and that's its own rabbit hole. But if you start with the premise that the accuracy of a .22 LR rifle is really mostly about the barrel, then you start with the barrel (Lilja, Shien, Kreiger, Bartlein - what-have-you) and move from there. A competent smith can chamber it for you and thread it to any action you choose.

 

The best advice is to get the one that appeals to you. I have owned at least a half-dozen Anschutz 1700 series sporters and an equal number of Cooper sporters, they all shot about the same size groups off the bench but the Coopers handle better for me when using them as an all-around rifle.
Quality wise the Coopers usually have better wood and better fit and finish of the stocks. When shopping do not overlook trying to find a gently used rifle savings can be significant.

drover

 

I've owned quite a few Coopers over the years -- centerfires (a few each of 21s, 22s, and 38s) and rimfires (a 36 Featherweight and maybe eight 57Ms). Only one (a 57M) wouldn't shoot well until it had a new barrel. Currently I own only a Model 38 Single Shot in .22 Hornet, and four Model 57Ms (all .22LR). These will all stay with me for the duration, as they are very accurate, AND they have the most eye-appeal -- really beautiful rifles. The Cooper rimfires that I sold or traded went to other folks here on RFC and I believe they are all very happy with them. I think every rimfire rifle fan should own a Cooper 57M -- with a nice walnut stock.

Doug

 

Well after my semi-negative remarks based on 3 out of 2 dozen+ rifles I still got 18 Coopers and they all shoot lights out.
V

 

I've only owned one, a Custom Classic I traded for + cash, new several years ago. It is a one-hole with common ammo. It was too special to sell, so I gave it to my son this past August. It got him fired up to hunt squirrels again. More than enough pay-off for his ole Dad.

I own nothing (1712, Vudoo, and a variety of CZs) that will out shoot it.