Cooper vs Ruger target

[mydogtwig]

Have a hankering for a new rifle.  I like the looks and feel of the Cooper Varmint (220 swift) the proof target is quite impressive. Granted shot at 40 yards.   I have also been looking at the Ruger target rifle.  Have yet to see one shoot, so as for a proof target?  Unknown. (220 swift)  Here are the options.  I get the cooper, and hold tight for a scope.  Or order up the Ruger- when it arrives, get a scope that day and shoot the next. 
Any other thoughts out there on these options.
thanks

[Brithunter]

Alright:-

    Which one feels best to you?

     Which one do you REALLY WANT?

    Once you have answered them you have answered yourself 

   Have fun.

[jro45]

They both probably shoot tight groups. With the right powder. So take your pick.

[Hairtrigger]

The Ruger will cost less leaving more money for a scope.
The Cooper will make your friends green with envy

OH yes... the Ruger has a 2 stage trigger. I don't mind it but some do

[mydogtwig]

Guess the scope will have to wait a bit.  Now as for pricing on the Cooper.  The SRP is $1298.  Do most dealers go by this, if not do you think they will wheel and deal with it down to that price?   If I am remembering rightly the dealer that I was checking out was placing it around 1500 and change
The Cooper is just ...... wow!

[Brithunter]

See you knew what you wanted all along 

   Now I will admit that I nothing about Cooper rifles, so please once you get it post some photos 

[Coyote Hunter]

BritHunter -

I have a Ruger M77 MKII VT (stainless/laminate) that shoots great.  I doubt a Cooper would shoot any better. 

Using loads I developed for its predecessor the Ruger shot a 0.5" 4-shot group with 40g V-MAX bullets.  Not too impressive except that the range was 200 yards... 

For what it is worth I like the two-stage trigger a lot. 

[Brithunter]

Hi Coyote Hunter,

     Hmmm slightly confused here as I didn't say anything about Ruger's  From mydogtwig's post I got the distinct impression that the Copper was the rifle they really wanted  The only Ruger I am not partial too really is the 10/22. nearly brought a Ruger 77 magnum in .416 Rigby but couldn't swing the finances at the time  I did have  No1B in 300 win Mag for some years.

   As for triggers ........................... well providing they don't have creep in the them and are not ridiculously heavy I can get on with them. I have Single stage, two stage, Single sett and double sett triggers on various rifles that I shoot.

[Hairtrigger]

I have not seen a Ruger M77VT that did not shoot well.
Than again the same goes for Cooper and Cooper will soon be made here in Ohio

[mcwoodduck]

Does it have to be 220 Swift? 
What about a 22-250 or .223.
If you just want a neat new rifle get a CZ 527 Varmint in 223 or 204 Ruger.  Some neat features on the gun like removable mag so the scope can be mounted lower, single set trigger, and three different stocks.  Kevlar, laminate, or all wood.  Prices are on par with the Ruger or Remington if not a little lower depending on model, and the action is a true 223 action rather than the Ruger or Remington that fit a 223 into a 308 action.
check out the Website.
www.cz-usa.com

[mydogtwig]

Yup- it does have to be a 220 swift.    As for your comments, they are great cartridges.  I like everyone else has a .223.  I shoot it quite a bit,burned a little over 100 rounds yesterday 12-31-07.  I'm happy with it, averaging 5/8 groups all day long.    As for the 22-250.  I currently load rounds with my 243 to match that.  Shooting a tad better than the 223. 
The Cz 527.  Love them.  I have one in 22 hornet.  Sweet shooter!  On paper and critters.  Was amazed what it was able to do with the 35 V-max on a rabbit.

So as for the 220 Swift.  Yup!  With all of the calibers that I have.  Everyone else has them as well.  Or at least knows someone with them.  have yet to find anyone that has the 220 swift, many that I am finding have never heard of it. 


But as for the posting.  They are great rounds, just needing to be a little different on this next rifle

[mcwoodduck]

OK,
I talked a Friend out of 220 swift and into 22-250 because of the erosion problems with the 220 swift.  He had an old carbon steel blank in .224 and wanted to build up a varmint rig.  With modern metallurgy this has been tamed but still carries the myth that you are going to have to get a new barrel every so often.  I think this may be why you have not seen as much 220 swift out there.  Someone else wrote that the 204 will be the death nail for the 220 swift. 
The other problem is there is only 220 Swift brass.  It's made from 6mm Lee that was a turned down 30-06. and brass is not just lying around like 223 or 308 that can be reloaded or re sized to make 204, 22-250, or 243 and on and on.
I would get the Ruger.  I have nothing but great things to say about their customer service.  If by some chance you do nee a new barrel they would be great in doing it for you at little or no cost.  I would also buy up a bunch of brass and reloading dies.
Your hornet should be unique in your group of friends.  Mine is. 
If you think the Hornet does evil things to rabbits try a 17HMR.  I like it better for style points as well as the low ricochet  value here in SO Cal.  The noise is about the same.
McDuck.

[mydogtwig]

I have currently prepped 100- 220 swift brass.  Nothing loaded yet, have not quite picked the right load that I want to start tinkering with.  I am leaning towards the 45-50 grain class.  The comment on shooting out/ burning out a barrel.  That is okay.  I'll enjoy every shot I take with it. I see it like a car.  Put gas in it, change the oil once in a while in it.  Run it until it is dead.  Now the options are, one- you rebuild the engine.  two- buy a new one.
Classics and hot rods are usually rebuilt.  Stock ones are usually replaced. 
I have a Ruger in 243 that groups are growing a little more than they used to.  I'll have the barrel replaced one day, most likely in 243 AI.  The little more speed is okay with me.  Hence one reason why I may be leaning towards the 220 Swift cartridge.

Last but not least  I ordered the Cooper Varminter 220 Swift today!  I'll post some pictures when I get the scope on it. 

[mcwoodduck]

Congratulations on your purchase.
I would not have the patience to wait till I put together $ for a scope.  I would scrape together something cheap for the time being like a BSA just to play with it while I saved up for what I wanted to outfit it with.
I know it's against the Cooper company rules to mount a BSA scope on one,  and your friends will make fun if it, but if you stick a Cooper sticker over the BSA no one will know and think you spent a mint on the scope.
When you do mount a scope on it send results of the accuracy.
A friend of mine has a pair of coopers and his son is in the MT. Hwy patrol has just lost his cooper to his wife as she can hit everything on the hillside with her 17.
They shoot baking potatoes.  We call them simu- squirrels.  When hit they explode into a white ball.  Cheapest reactive target you'll find.  Besides the brown color makes you really look through the scope to search them out, unlike soda cans and water bottles and the potatoes are the size of small rodent targets.
If your ever in So Cal and looking for a place to shoot it, e-mail me.

[Hairtrigger]

I think there is a special place in hell for people that put junk scopes on quality rifles!!

[mcwoodduck]

I did say till you get the funds together to buy the scope you want, just to play with it!
Never mind they are here to stoke the coals under my chair for the 24 hour lecture by Hillary, Al Gore, Micheal Moore, Sarah Brady, and Howard Dean.

[mydogtwig]

the 25.06 is going to go bare for a while.  6-20x44 nikon will be placed on the cooper.  we will see how things look like that for a while

[gumby]

Second time to go out a shoot it,  Not to shabby for starting reloads.  40 gr. 2520, 40 gr nosler, 100 yards, no wind 39 degrees.  4200 and small change FPS.  Time to tinker with this a little to make it even smaller.  One thing that I have noticed Accurate 2520 it's a dirty powder.  Cleaned after each three shot group. 
Well I guess I better look into figuring out how to load pictures. 
3 groups measured
#1  .474
#2  .570
#3  .472

[SingleShotShorty]

I have a Ruger MKII Target in 223 Rem. It shoots very very tight groups my best so far is an 18 shot group that measured a hair over 3/8", so I would go with a Ruger and spend the money saved on glass, but then again that's just me.