Cooper Arms

[kiwishooter]

With a few threads about Cooper Arms and the current value I thought I would go and have a look to see what they are being listed for on some auction sites (Notice I said being listed for, I know that doesn't mean they sell for that) but you can knock me over with a feather after looking
These may not be the best examples but this certainly shocked me a Cooper 57M in 22WMR has gone to $4425.00 with 42 bids from a start of 0,01c all I can say is WOW
Admittedly its a Custom Classic

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1172661999

A Model 21 Varminter in 20 Tactical is getting some traction in bids but still only $416 after 3 bids with about a day to go

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1176307779

While there are some below that $2k mark there are probably more lasted above the $2k mark than not including this Model 38 in 20AH $2699.99
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1176064612

After seeing those, I'm really glad I bought the Coopers I did when I did, because I wouldn't be splashing that much cash on one now

Kiwi

 

[Rick in Oregon]

After seeing those, I'm really glad I bought the Coopers I did when I did, because I wouldn't be splashing that much cash on one now

Same here, Kiwi. I will covet my meager Cooper collection even more now seeing those prices.
Now I can shamelessly tell my wife "see, they were a great investment".
See what I did there? Making my wild buying streak some years ago seem legit like I meant to do that.

 

[kiwishooter]

I can do the same, I'm just not sure if the New Zealand market would pay that for them.
New Zealanders think that anything used is only worth 10c on the $ when they want to buy something used.
At least I have a good number of lefties that are very hard to find and can enjoy using them, instead of worrying about the value of them.

Perhaps I should look at exporting them back to the USA when I sell them.
I have one of the first 50 Cooper Model 21 actions made, it was supposed to be a Custom Classic as it has "CC" on the brass plug in the bolt handle.
My plan was to turn it into a Varmint Extreme with an English Walnut stock and a Lilja barrel in 223AI, What would be the consensus on this?
Or should I build it as a Custom Classic in 223?
It was originally intended to be a Custom Classic in 223Rem.

 

[Bullseye69]

Jmo ,I love the 223 AI.

 

[KevinG]

I usually check gunbrokers "completed auctions" to see what the firearms actually sell for.

Kevin

 

[Sieg]

I currently have in my possession a Cooper Model 21 in 17 Mach IV that a friend purchased via Gun Broker. To me it appears he hit the jackpot, appears unfired except for the 3 shot test target and there are two careless handling marks, one on the barrel and one on the bolt knob, besides that you'd have to call it a 100% rifle.
What a beautiful example of now historic American craftsmanship!

I educated him on the history of Cooper Montana and sent him a link to this listing and a few others, now I'm somewhat regretting my decision.

 

[kiwishooter]

That does look mint, although there are two problems with it, the bolt handle is on the wrong side and I don't own it

I tried doing a list of letters for calibers for each caliber years ago on Saubier, E is 221 Fireball, A is 223
V is varminter, MTV for Montana Varminter, VE for Varmint Extreme, C Classic, CC Custom Classic
On the earlier Coopers a L after the letter was left hand

In mid 2005 the caliber letter designation was eliminated, and they went to sequential serial numbers

I wouldn't mind knowing when the change was made from Cooper Arms to Cooper Firearms, has anyone got any thoughts about this?

 

[Eggman30]

That does look mint, although there are two problems with it, the bolt handle is on the wrong side and I don't own it

Agreed !!

 

[Sieg]

That does look mint, although there are two problems with it, the bolt handle is on the wrong side and I don't own it

I tried doing a list of letters for calibers for each caliber years ago on Saubier, E is 221 Fireball, A is 223
V is varminter, MTV for Montana Varminter, VE for Varmint Extreme, C Classic, CC Custom Classic
On the earlier Coopers a L after the letter was left hand

In mid 2005 the caliber letter designation was eliminated, and they went to sequential serial numbers

I wouldn't mind knowing when the change was made from Cooper Arms to Cooper Firearms, has anyone got any thoughts about this?

The serial number appears to be VG 296, any idea what the G could represent?

 

[Sieg]

@kiwishooter @Eggman30

I feel your pain; my dad was a lefty. I remember his frustration when a new cool recreational oriented product came to market, but not for Southpaws.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

@kiwishooter @Eggman30

I feel your pain; my dad was a lefty. I remember his frustration when a new cool recreational oriented product came to market, but not for Southpaws.

Same with my dad; he learned to be ambidextrous as a result, especially behind a rifle.

 

[Eggman30]

I do have 2 left hand .17 FB in Rem 700 l is factory , with a heavy barrel , the other is a custom light weight barrel ,
I was going to order a few of the M38 Coopers in small calibers , but they weren't available after the new folks took over

 

[foxhunter]

don't know about the serial number but the model number corresponds to how old dan cooper was when he designed the rifle. 38 when he designed the model 38, 40 for the model 40. that came straight from dans mouth. i had a fn mauser in 358 norma mag marked cooper arms of montana that shot one hole groups at 100 yards .

 

[kiwishooter]

The serial number appears to be VG 296, any idea what the G could represent?

I think you will find V is for Varminter and G is for 17 Mach IV

Same with my dad; he learned to be ambidextrous as a result, especially behind a rifle.

Yeah sorry can't do that, but I am right handed naturally. Just no right eye that I can see out of.
Since I shoot left handed and have done for over 40 years I have managed to pick up a few left hand rifles, Remington, Savage, Sako, Cooper, Anschutz, CZ, BSA, Wichita, Nesika, Bat, Jongmanns, to name a few

 

[Sieg]

I can do the same, I'm just not sure if the New Zealand market would pay that for them.
New Zealanders think that anything used is only worth 10c on the $ when they want to buy something used.
At least I have a good number of lefties that are very hard to find and can enjoy using them, instead of worrying about the value of them.

Perhaps I should look at exporting them back to the USA when I sell them.
I have one of the first 50 Cooper Model 21 actions made, it was supposed to be a Custom Classic as it has "CC" on the brass plug in the bolt handle.
My plan was to turn it into a Varmint Extreme with an English Walnut stock and a Lilja barrel in 223AI, What would be the consensus on this?
Or should I build it as a Custom Classic in 223?
It was originally intended to be a Custom Classic in 223Rem.

My late range buddy had a CC 21 rifle in 223, it was a true laser with his load of Varget and 52g Berger Fb Hp. We shoot a monthly centerfire match at our range that's two targets at 100yds, two at 200yds, 10 shots each target, 10-minute time limit per target, 10-point bullseye. The number of times Jay shot 400-40X for the match with that rifle was down-right demoralizing.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

My late range buddy had a CC 21 rifle in 223, it was a true laser with his load of Varget and 52g Berger Fb Hp.

I don't doubt that one bit, as my Cooper M21 223 is a true "one-hole" rifle with it's load of the Nosler 40gr BT over H335. It is the first Cooper I owned, purchased lightly used from the Nosler Pro Shop for a measly $700 some years ago, and still shoots it's pet load into the mid .2's.

It is one of my most favored rat rifles when the ranges get a bit over what my 20VT or 221FB are comfy with.



The only mod I've made on this rifle is adding a Jard 10oz trigger for live varmint bench shooting. Like you said about your buddies rifle, it's a "true laser". Sage rats fear this rifle and for good reason.

 

[Sieg]

I'd really like to own a Cooper Montana Varminter in .223, but I have this Tikka T3x .223 Varminter that shoots very well.

This is 10 rounds at 100yds off Harris Bipod and Protektor rear bag with Federal GMM 69SMK's.

I wanted to thread it for a suppressor, but after this target, it isn't happening.

Maybe this justifies a Cooper 21 in .20 cal?

 

[17VLD]

Nice shooting Sieg! I've always heard that Tikkas shot well. I also like that they readily come with fast twist barrels as well.
Back when you could order a Cooper and if you wanted a fast twist barrel the price was somewhat prohibitive. I think the current availability on a nice 20 caliber Cooper may be somewhat scarce. I hope you find one. I've been looking for a 20 Tactical for some time. The 20VarTargs and 204 really have me covered but you can always use another. How fast were those Federal loads? My PSS runs them best right at 3000fps.

Matt

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I'd really like to own a Cooper Montana Varminter in .223, but I have this Tikka T3x .223 Varminter that shoots very well.

Maybe this justifies a Cooper 21 in .20 cal?

Sieg, yes, it does indeed justify a Cooper MTV 223.....IF you can find one. But I'd say that Tikka 223 shoots very well, and is certainly "squirrel worthy"! Being family related to Sako, it figures. I've been a Sako fan since owning my first one in the early 80's, and the two L461 Vixen's I have now are in no danger of going down the road.

My Cooper Montana Varminter is a M21 204 and has accounted itself very well in the rat patch. I usually shoot it or my M21 223 after the ranges start to get over 300 yards, as with a 32gr Nosler BT or Varmageddon at 4,060 fps, it's one flat shooting mutha!



Decent stock wood didn't hurt either. It was hand picked from stock from Sportsman's Whs in Helena MT via a phone call. Nice crew up there. Don't think we'll see any factory wood like this from the new Cooper owners (NHC) in the future.





Yes, I'm old school and a sucker for a traditional varmint rifle with nice wood. I've talked to NHC two times lamenting what they've done to the brand, got promises of bringing back the short action single shots in small case varmint calibers, but so far they've been empty promises. So I'll cling to the ones I have and love them the way they deserve. And of course take them to the outback every spring for "fun with rodents".

Best of luck with your quest for that elusive 223 MTV.

 

[Sieg]

Nice shooting Sieg! I've always heard that Tikkas shot well. I also like that they readily come with fast twist barrels as well.
Back when you could order a Cooper and if you wanted a fast twist barrel the price was somewhat prohibitive. I think the current availability on a nice 20 caliber Cooper may be somewhat scarce. I hope you find one. I've been looking for a 20 Tactical for some time. The 20VarTargs and 204 really have me covered but you can always use another. How fast were those Federal loads? My PSS runs them best right at 3000fps.

Matt

Sadly, I haven't shot the .223 since I acquired my Athlon Chrono, the box lists 2950fps.

My T3x Super Varmint in .308 w/ 20" barrel and suppressor shot the FGMM 168SMK's slightly faster than list. I found it odd, since people seem to complain about Tikka barrels being slow. My .308 handloads are usually slightly faster than stated velocities also?