Cooper, Hill Country or Nosler Legacy

[ram161]

Well I started looking into retirement and may pull the plug this june. My employer will let me work part time (for toy money). I told the wife that i would like to buy a really nice rifle for retirement. She said go for it , so now what to go for.
I'm thinking about 6.5x284 or 280 AI
I have looked at the Coopers and I like the feel of the rifle but I dont know if I would like the clip feed repeater. Also like the accuracy.
The Hill Country harvester light weight has my interrest but don't know if they do 280AI
The nosler legacy looks interresting but i need to handle one before i buy.
My question would be does anybody shoot any of the three or any experiance with any of these.
Also any others I should look at.
Thanks

 

[FOTIS]

I love the looks of the legacy.
Accuracy wise they will all rock.

 

[JD338]

Go with the Nosler M48. You have a 30 day buy back gaurentee!

JD338

 

[Elkman]

ram161
I also like the Hill Country rifles. I think if you look hard at their web site the also have a gaurentee. I recently sent a rifle to Hill country for their accurazing process. Its reasonable and I just received the rifle back on Wednesday with a .550 three shot target using commerical ammo. I have not had an opportunity to shoot it and won't for a few weeks. but their turn around was as expected, they called me once to discuss some options and overall I am very satisified with their customer service.

 

[Desert Fox]

My choice will be the Cooper Classic. I own one of their Varminter and it's very accurate rifle. I don't mind having a few more Cooper in my safe.

 

[BK]

Can't really advise you, but I will have one of these, someday:

http://www.cooperfirearms.com/rifles.ph ... al=222-Rem

 

[DHBWA]

I can't comment on the Nosler .
Wasn't Cooper backing Obama!!
Lastly HCR-I have owned at least 5 rifles they have either accurized or built and EVERY ONE was a drill. I still have a 280 that guys are lined up to buy if I ever get a case of stupid!!

 

[BK]

Dan Cooper, the previous owner, did back Obama, but after the news got out, there was such an outcry that he was forced from the company.

Mods, sorry if this delved into politics, just answering a question.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

It's a fair answer BK.
I won't buy a Cooper for that reason, but a good friend has 3 or 4 of them, and is looking to buy another. He loves them.

 

[elkeater2]

I think you're going to have a hard time making a bad choice there. It really comes down to what you like, and I hope you can handle each before deciding.
In the pure looks department, I'd want a Cooper Classic with the exception of the kinda cheesy forearm checkering. I also like the Legacy cheekpiece, but don't like the Legacy pistol grip shape (too much drop, too full, no cap). But I want that shadow line cheekpiece from the Legacy pretty bad. The Cooper grip is more along the lines I'd prefer. So it really is your personal preference on the details, and that is what I suggest you focus on - what you like, cuz they're all great rifles.

It tickled me when the first Legacy pictures came out. Ol' John and I must have shared some of the same biases:

 

[Desert Fox]

Elk, That's one fine looking Mauser you have there. What's the chambering. I'm re-stocking two of my 1909 Argie and I'll post it here after I'm done.

 

[elkeater2]

Desert Fox,
Thanks!
It's a 7mm-06, rechambered Douglas 7x57 barrel from the late sixties. I thought about getting it reamed out to a regular .280 Rem, but only so my heirs wouldn't have to reload. :lol: Well, maybe whoever gets it ought to know already or learn how anyway. I'm not changing it.

I'm not sure which Cooper the OP was talking about, the upper crust classic ones have better checkering, and their cheekpieces are OK. I can't imagine spending that much without handling and seeing in person. It's only then that you pick up things you like or dislike. I'm sure he knows that. If wifey was writing the check, I'd grab the Nosler - I love the action, but even more I appreciate what and who it stands for. Legacy is a great name for it.

Elkeater2

 

[ram161]

Thanks for the replies, I haven't made up my mind yet but still checking all three out.
Elkeater2, I hear what you are saying about handling the gun before .
I have handed the cooper at a stocking dealer and like the way it feels. The only thing is the clip feed system that I'm unsure of. Can the clip be loaded through the bolt like a drop box.
The deal with Dan Cooper, I feel was taken care of by the company and end of story for me.

I will be in Bend in a couple of weeks so hope to check out and handle a 48 then

The Hill country is more difficult to handle, but they use Mcmillian Stocks and should be able to check them out somewhere.

If this purchase comes through I will have a couple to sell
Ruger #1A 7x57
Remington Stainless Classic 270 winchester 24 inch barrel limited production.
Possible winchester 70 Pre 64 264 westerner

 

[JD338]

ram161,

When you go to Bend, stop by SHooters Pro Shop at Nosler and ask for Shawn or Kevin.
They will take good care of you. Make sure you tell them you are a member here.:wink:

JD338

 

[ram161]

I,ll do that JD338

 

[BK]

Thanks for the replies, I haven't made up my mind yet but still checking all three out.
Elkeater2, I hear what you are saying about handling the gun before .
I have handed the cooper at a stocking dealer and like the way it feels. The only thing is the clip feed system that I'm unsure of. Can the clip be loaded through the bolt like a drop box.
The deal with Dan Cooper, I feel was taken care of by the company and end of story for me.

I will be in Bend in a couple of weeks so hope to check out and handle a 48 then

The Hill country is more difficult to handle, but they use Mcmillian Stocks and should be able to check them out somewhere.

If this purchase comes through I will have a couple to sell
Ruger #1A 7x57
Remington Stainless Classic 24 inch barrel limited production.
Possible winchester 70 Pre 64 264 westerner

Might be interested in the Remington when you make a decision. And I have two McMillan Classics, and have a Mickey Sako Classic, a KS, and an MR stock on the way, if you want to play around with them to see if you like the pattern. Assuming you can catch me when I'm home.

 

[SJB358]

I would take the Legacy hands down. Just a classy rifle and built by a great company. The others are just as nice, but I am biased somewhat with Nosler stuff. I hope to get a Legacy for my Marine Corps retirement in a few years. Still not sure what caliber I would want, but heck, I would take any of them! Scotty

 

[ram161]

Got an answer from Hill Country and they don't do 280 AI in their Harvester line.
Would rebarrel for $850 extra.
They do have 280 remington.
So I still need to get over to Bend and handle the Nosler 48 Legacy.
My choices are now Cooper or Legacy 280 AI.
Still considering 6.5x284

 

[DrMike]

No contest--Legacy all the way. The 280 AI is a great cartridge. You'll never regret having a Legacy chambered in 280 AI.

 

[SJB358]

I just regret I can't have one right now! Scotty