I always wanted a Kimber back in their heyday, mostly because of the quality and left-hand availability. I was not able to bear the expense in those days. Fast forward 30 years and things have changed. My first Kimber was a Model 82 LH Custom Classic - it is a tack driver. I will shoot it against my other .22 rifles and report back. It came to me with a Leupold 4X scope.
The best rimfire hunting rifle... is it KoO, KoA, Cooper, etc?
I have several Kimber 82s, several Win 52s, etc., but have never owned a Cooper. I'd like to hear from people who have had both... how do they compare? My opinion, from limited exposure, is that they do compare well but the Cooper might be a little more upscale than my 82 Super America. I'm very happy with Kimber accuracy.
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If by "best", most expen$ive is the criterion, whatever pleases you. There are some beautiful, and accurate rifles in the $700-$ 1,100 range. BUT, CZ, Ruger, Browning and Savage make some very accurate rifles at lesser price points. 
I have 2 CZ 452s and a CZ 455. Nice rifles but a notch below my Remington 541-S which is a notch below my Kimber 82 SA. The CZ factory trigger sucks and the bolts need polishing. The walnut on the two Americas I own is plain, a notch below the 541 and does not compare to my fancy walnut 82SA.If by "best", most expen$ive is the criterion, whatever pleases you. There are some beautiful, and accurate rifles in the $700-$ 1,100 range. BUT, CZ, Ruger, Browning and Savage make some very accurate rifles at lesser price points.
The Browning T-Bolt II is interesting, a well-made, accurate rifle for the price... equivalent to my 541. If they made it in .17 M2 I'dhave to really think about it. I'veshot two of them, in .22 and in HMR, and both were very accurate with good triggers. The magazine bothers me... it's a hunk of plastic. I don't know how easy they are to rebarrel.
The Savage rifles shoot well, but simply aren't in the same class as a Kimber or Cooper. I'm looking for the nicest rifle.
I haven't shot any of those rifles. But I have seen them all and handled a few. They're just gorgeous.
I know this isn't what you are looking for but I own most of the rifles mentioned so far except the Cooper and possibly my favorite rimfire hunting rifle at the moment is my Winchester 75 Sporter. The wood on most of them, including mine is almost always very figured and beautiful, the checkering is well done, and they are extremely light and accurate, especially if you can find one with a grooved receiver. What's not to like? That choice may change once I get a couple of my project rifles finished- my Win 52C Sporter especially. But until then it is my favorite at the moment
To be more upscale than a Kimber 82 SA the Cooper would have to have special order wood and finish upgrades. They are comparable rifles in most ways if the model purchased has the same specs. Both can shoot tiny groups if you get a good one. I have a Cooper 57M Jackson Squirrel that is a very accurate shooter. And I have a Kimber 82 Cascade that is a very accurate shooter. I have a New York Kimber and another Oregon Kimber that need a trip to the range for testing.
Hush has pretty much nailed it. I don’t think an 82 SA would take a backseat to a Cooper, unless the Cooper were highly optioned with exceptional wood. As a purist, and as I look at a Kimber of Oregon stock lying here next to me, I am struck by the subtle shaping and styling cues of the Kimber. I own both Kimbers and Coopers, and I would give slightly higher styling points to the Kimber stock; Kimber consulted with Len Brownell on styling, and it shows. Now, the Cooper is no slouch, but an experience eye can spot the very slight differences.
On the actions, I would give the nod to the Cooper, especially compared to the 82 “A” and “C” actions; the KoO “B” action is probably about as solid, design wise, as is the NY Kimber K22. While all 3 have made dogs, accuracy wise, I think the odds of getting an exceptional Cooper are probably higher, and they are still around, technically, or will be back soon, in the event something is subpar on a Cooper.
On the actions, I would give the nod to the Cooper, especially compared to the 82 “A” and “C” actions; the KoO “B” action is probably about as solid, design wise, as is the NY Kimber K22. While all 3 have made dogs, accuracy wise, I think the odds of getting an exceptional Cooper are probably higher, and they are still around, technically, or will be back soon, in the event something is subpar on a Cooper.
I use and abuse my t-bolt have for years now. Haven't had a issue with the magazines yet. I keep expecting them to fall apart. But they haven't yet, biggest downfall to the T-bolt for me was the heavy trigger. I ended getting a jard trigger to solve that problem. I love my kimber SVT but wouldn't want to carry it around the woods its just to dang heavy. Although I know of guys who do. I've also owned a very nice Anschutz. I wouldn't look past them by any means. I noticed they haven't been mentioned yet. A 1710 is a fine rifle.
Obi, what are your desires in regard to weight for a hunting rifle? This is important to me since I carry it quite a ways and squirrels get heavy too if you carry them very long. So is weight an issue or a consideration for you?I have several Kimber 82s, several Win 52s, etc., but have never owned a Cooper. I'd like to hear from people who have had both... how do they compare? My opinion, from limited exposure, is that they do compare well but the Cooper might be a little more upscale than my 82 Super America. I'm very happy with Kimber accuracy.
These last few years I have obsessed a bit on getting a light rifle for squirrel/varmint hunting that is just as accurate as heavier rifles. But even though I have found lighter rifles that are accurate from the bench, their practical accuracy when hunting usually requires some weight when bracing them on a tree trunk or making off hand shots on squirrels.
I tried a couple of rifles that are accurate, but very difficult to hunt with because they are just too light to steady on a squirrel. 4 -5 lbs is too light to steady easily. Nothing beats my CZ 452 for steady shots braced on a tree trunk and out of all the rifles I have it is best for off hand shots.
The one stellar exception I have found in lighter rifles is the Bergara BMR Steel. It weighs 5.5 lbs out of the box and I have had many perfect hunts with it with no misses. It is even OK for close off hand shots. The BMR Steel is the exception to the rule for hunting practicality and it shoots my Subsonic Hollow Points into groups that can be covered under a dime at 50 yards. My CZ does also, but it is heavier.
Some may recommend a 9 lb rifle, but is that what you really want to carry all morning? Not me.
I am sure I am probably in the minority, but for shooting squirrels and rabbits, I have never found any rifle to carry in the field that I like better than the Browning SA22. The receiver fits right into the palm of my hand for all day carry without need of a sling. Kimbers and Coopers are sure pretty but I would not trade my Browning for one in the field.
Winchester 69a with 4x weaver for the woods.
Kimber K22 for showing friends..
Kimber K22 for showing friends..
I am sure I am probably in the minority, but for shooting squirrels and rabbits, I have never found any rifle to carry in the field that I like better than the Browning SA22. The receiver fits right into the palm of my hand for all day carry without need of a sling. Kimbers and Coopers are sure pretty but I would not trade my Browning for one in the field.
Thanks for saying that. I'm probably in the minority with you. I have several Kimbers and Coopers. I don't have an SA22 but in similar vein, in the field I'd rather a 10/22 or my HK270, suppressed of course.
I need a semi-auto 22WMR...Tom
Yup, the 69A has a slightly heavier barrel profile than the 75 Sporter and is easier to hold steady with the weight forward a bit. Still a very light rifle to carry all day in the squirrel woods and sling swivels can easily be added to make it even easier to carry. And all the ones I've shot are extremely accurate- at least as accurate as my Kimbers IMO.Winchester 69a with 4x weaver for the woods.
Kimber K22 for showing friends..
I have lots of .22s... too many to fit in a large safe. For hunting, I do like a 7.5 to 8 lb rifle including scope... the standard sporters appeal but I'll hunt with heavier. My Daystate Pulsar air rifles are about 10 lbs with a scope... a bit of a PITA but that heavy weight makes them hold very steady and allows for 50 yard or longer shots resting up against a tree. My CZ 455, Rem 541, and Kimber 82SA all are great squirrel hunting rifles... not too heavy but heavy enough. I've had all of my CZ barrels threaded for a suppressor and shooting subsonic match ammo with a suppressor is so quiet that a miss doesn't scare the squirrel if it's more than 35 to 40 yards out. If the squirrel isn't aware of you, it still isn't aware of you. The others aren't threaded and I'm dithering over doing so... they're quiet enough with subsonic match ammo.Obi, what are your desires in regard to weight for a hunting rifle? This is important to me since I carry it quite a ways and squirrels get heavy too if you carry them very long. So is weight an issue or a consideration for you?
These last few years I have obsessed a bit on getting a light rifle for squirrel/varmint hunting that is just as accurate as heavier rifles. But even though I have found lighter rifles that are accurate from the bench, their practical accuracy when hunting usually requires some weight when bracing them on a tree trunk or making off hand shots on squirrels.
I tried a couple of rifles that are accurate, but very difficult to hunt with because they are just too light to steady on a squirrel. 4 -5 lbs is too light to steady easily. Nothing beats my CZ 452 for steady shots braced on a tree trunk and out of all the rifles I have it is best for off hand shots.
The one stellar exception I have found in lighter rifles is the Bergara BMR Steel. It weighs 5.5 lbs out of the box and I have had many perfect hunts with it with no misses. It is even OK for close off hand shots. The BMR Steel is the exception to the rule for hunting practicality and it shoots my Subsonic Hollow Points into groups that can be covered under a dime at 50 yards. My CZ does also, but it is heavier.
Some may recommend a 9 lb rifle, but is that what you really want to carry all morning? Not me.
I also have three Browning SA22s, two Belgian rifles and a Miroku that I've had threaded. They are accurate, but just not as accurate as a fine bolt rifle. I'm sure a rebarrel with a quality barrel/chamber would make a difference... if it works for the 10/22 it would work for these... and the suppressed Miroku SA22 is pretty durn accurate and very quiet, also. I've thought of buying one of the surplus Grade IV stocks and forends with figured walnut and getting the receiver and internals NP3-plated to look kinda like French Grey but with a much tougher finish, and having a pretty rifle... but these still don't shoot as well as a top bolt-action.
What I want is a beautiful rifle that shoots as good as it looks... but I've heard a few complaints about quality issues with the Coopers. I also want a really nice .17 HM2. I have the Lilja barrel for the CZ, and the CZ 455 American I have is an attractive rifle. I've put a Jewell trigger on it to replace the heavy, creepy factory one and now the trigger is almost as good as the 541 and Kimber. The gun shoots... but I'm thinking of getting a KoO 82 SA and having it rebarreled to .17 HM2... or if I could find a KoA K17. Or, I have a new in-box repro Win 52B sporter and have thought of having it rebarreled to .17 HM2.
I'm in my early 60s and have concluded it's time to get off my significant gun collection and focus on maybe a couple dozen guns that will do everything I possibly want to do. I don't see myself waiting a couple of years to get my original 1885 Low Wall takedown built into a multi-caliber rifle with beautiful wood and some engraving... I need to sell it, my other original 1885s, and just get what I want. I'm not sure what I want, though.
I think that Heaven, for me, would be a cabin in the eastern hardwoods in the late fall, waking up and hunting squirrels all day and then eating them while having good conversations with my dad, and eventually my wife and son. Not Valhalla, but paradise nevertheless.
I have a first year production Cooper 57M, a Rem 541-THB, and a Belgian Browning T-Bolt T2 (I've also shot the newer version) which I would consider high quality hunting sporters. The Cooper is a thing of beauty and mine has been very accurate. I use it mostly for shooting from the bench but I have taken a few chucks that dared venture into my yard with it. It's just a little heavier than a squirrel rifle needs to be, IMO. My Remington has a bad cold bore flyer problem and is therefore strictly a bench gun. It's accurate once it warms up. It's the T-Bolts that I would use as a hunting sporter. They are accurate enough and light enough to carry around. I have also taken a few chucks with my T-Bolt. The triggers on my older T-Bolt and the newer one I've shot were all good hunting triggers; very controllable. I've never shot the Kimbers. From everything I've heard, they are very much in the category of the Cooper. You didn't mention the Anschutz 1710. They deserve to be in the conversation of top quality .22 sporters. If I was going squirrel hunting though, I'd take my T-Bolt and it's the one I'll reach for now when another chuck has the audacity to step foot on my property.
Winchester 69a with 4x weaver for the woods.
Kimber K22 for showing friends..
Kimber K22 for showing friends..
I'm not sure there is a best hunting rimfire. There are beautiful rifles that also are shooters. It always seems to be a certain thing one is trying to do. Long range groundhogs I use 17hmr. Most handsome is anschutz 1717D. Wouldn't want to carry it for a variety of reasons. Squirrel rifle sa-22 would be a Abercrombie&Fitch type beautifully designed light to carry rifle. Hate for 64 Belgian to get rained on. Have a 10/22 very light with nothing left but reciever ruger. Very accurate. So it's all in what you're after and how you want to go about it, if that makes any sense. Is it a high class pseudo British event or overalls on a steamy summer day with thunder storms very likely in a dusty corn field kinda day. Get what moves you or get two.
I'm partial to the Kimber K22 simply because I have one and therefore the most experience with those. I had one previously, traded it for a Model 82A Classic which was a nice rifle too. Then I found the one that I currently have with nice wood and bought it then eventually sold the 82. I should have kept it too. But anyways, the K22's are all steel except for the trigger module which has aluminum walls like a Timney unit, have a bolt mounted Winchester type safety that locks the bolt handle down and retracts and blocks the striker, fully adjustable trigger, flush steel magazines , etc. They weigh approximately 6-1/2 pounds unscoped so with a reasonable optics choice make a light carry. Scope mounting options are plentiful, the same mounts works on the K22 as fit the Kimber 84M. Prices have gotten up there with Model 82's.
I like my Kimber Yonkers Classic for squirrels and plinking...but spare parts for it, are in short supply --- Though I do admire the Cooper 22s.
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