For the none-reloader: Stick to standard rounds?

[SJB358]

It is really hard to go wrong with any of them. The 270 and 280 are great cartridges and 400 yards isn't even really pushing them too awfully hard at all.

What about the Sako's Ben? Do you not like them? They seem like another great option and are very accurate from all I have seen... Just wondering why the Sako has alluded your sights!

Love the Sako's! Nothing wrong with the manifacturer, great action & trigger - heck one of the very/top best. Really can't go wrong with one.

As for the price, a 85Hunter/Bavarian will sell for $1,899 whereas the Cooper's sell between $1999 and $2199 for essentially a semi-custom rifle (same for the Nosler TGR really, except they offer it in a wallnut stock as well), which my dealer would do a tax-in deal the last time we talked about prices. If they were say $1,500 then the $500 price difference would make a difference. That said, the one thing that I should say is that I do prefer the raised, almost full Monte-Carlo comb of the Cooper's. That style seems to just fit my body physique better.

The idea to own a semi-custom rifle that I know will be very unique here in Quebec is also (quite)appealling I have to admit, so yeah there's bit of a showing it off in there :wink: !

This new rifle will mostly, well pretty much only see action at the shooting range as again, I do all of my big game hunts during the archery season, which for us in Quebec is on the peek of the rut of moose and deer hunting and there's no way my hunting partners would move away from that (and I do like it as well). I do plan on making out west for a sheep and goat hunt at some point in the (near) future, but for now, it'll be a range queen (eventhough its not a full-on range rifle).

Totally understand that Ben. I was just wondering as Sakos are very nice and most don't complain about their accuracy. Having a Cooper would be nice as well. They do make some very nice rifles. Joel seems to be very fond of them, so their has to be something to it!

 

[CanuckBen]

Totally understand that Ben. I was just wondering as Sakos are very nice and most don't complain about their accuracy. Having a Cooper would be nice as well. They do make some very nice rifles. Joel seems to be very fond of them, so their has to be something to it!

If I was to find a Sako on sale (used are someone hard to come by when you're limiting the selection of calibers to two or three) I would consider purchasing one, in a wood stock. Their synthetic are as plain-vanilla as its gets! Perhaps an aftermarket cheek pad could remedy my need for a raised comb.

The only "negative" (if you can call it that) about the Sako's wooden stock is that they tend (the ones I've seen and used) to be standard, straight grain w/o much coloring and highlights.

Will be looking forward to reading Joel's input on the Cooper. I know my dealer in BC just raves about them and he can't keep them in stock even for a few days, especially the new magnum line.

I do have to keep focus on the main purpose of this next rifle: mainly a range rifle, for practice and as a new found hobby. Competition really is only in the future. Hunting will be its secondary purpose for now.

 

[SJB358]

The one thing I know now, get what you want. If you have to save for it, it's worth it. Anything less than what you want is going to leave you wondering. I love the looks of Cooper rifles and if they were a CRF rifle, I would be that much more into them. They make some accurate, well put together rifles here in America, whats not to like?

 

[joelkdouglas]

Just a thought, but you could also start with something unique, like a 6.5 Creedmor, and have at least some factory rounds available (I think Hornady makes some). Then move on to reloading.

Same with 25-06, or 257 Roberts, or 280 Rem. Nothing as popular as a 270 or 30-06, so you might find it suits you better.

But for the record, if you get a 30-06 you'll never need any other rifle for hunting big game. But the same could be said for nearly everything from 25 caliber to 338 nowadays.

 

[Guy Miner]

You're right Joel.

Every now and again I am tempted to simply slap a new barrel on my old .30-06 (the old one is badly worn) and use it for all my hunting, selling off the rest. Seldom have I taken game that couldn't have been taken just as easily with a good .30-06 rifle.

Or a .270, .280, or any number of other cartridges. One good hunting rifle. It has a certain appeal.

 

[SJB358]

One good hunting rifle. It has a certain appeal.

Keep that to yourself Guy.. You never know when a wife is reading this!

 

[CanuckBen]

Just a thought, but you could also start with something unique, like a 6.5 Creedmor, and have at least some factory rounds available (I think Hornady makes some). Then move on to reloading.

Same with 25-06, or 257 Roberts, or 280 Rem. Nothing as popular as a 270 or 30-06, so you might find it suits you better.

But for the record, if you get a 30-06 you'll never need any other rifle for hunting big game. But the same could be said for nearly everything from 25 caliber to 338 nowadays.

Interestingly Joel, I ran accross a ForSale posting of a RockyMountainRifle (well known BC gunsmith/outfitt here in Canada) of a 257A.I.

- built on a 96 Mauser Action
- The barrel is a Gaillard 24" Fluted & Powder Coated flat black matte
- Action was bedded & blueprinted and powder coated
- Action been modified to cock on open - wouldn't had this done, but that's just me.
- Timney trigger installed roughly 2.37-2.52 pounds
- Stock was done in a B&W texture Endura - if only it had a raise comb*
- Stock was glass bedded & barrel free floated

Newest asking price, from the original $2,600 is now $2,300. Maybe 60 to 80 rounds as per the sellers post. Seller would throw in two boxes of fireformed regular .257Roberts casing and the set of AI dies (never used). According to the post, it was his late's father's rifle, who didn't get to use it very much.

Interesting rifle for sure, but the stock I dunno if I'd be in love with unfortunately.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't let anyone fool you...you won't save a dime on relaoding but you'll get to shoot a lot more.

If you're a shooter, it pays off. If you're only an occasional shooter, it's much harder to come clear. I hunt more and shoot less these days, I still like reloading but I don't really see much cost advantage.

On cartridge- get exactly what you want. The logisitcs and profitability in ammo manufacturing is completely different these days than just twenty years ago. You'll be able to get nearly any cartridge factory produced for years to come. CNC tooling has dramatically lowered the profit point on niche cartridges these days and some pretty unique cartridges will be available for years to come.

The much poo-poo'd .300WSM is still alive despite the widespread predictions of it becoming obsolete in just a couple of years since introduction and in the stores I shop- it's as common as .30-06 and .308.

 

[CanuckBen]

Don't let anyone fool you...you won't save a dime on relaoding but you'll get to shoot a lot more.

If you're a shooter, it pays off. If you're only an occasional shooter, it's much harder to come clear. I hunt more and shoot less these days, I still like reloading but I don't really see much cost advantage.

Yeah I see reloading as a facilitating activity to more shooting, the ol bang for your buck really does take its full meaning when talking about reloading.

On cartridge- get exactly what you want. The logisitcs and profitability in ammo manufacturing is completely different these days than just twenty years ago. You'll be able to get nearly any cartridge factory produced for years to come. CNC tooling has dramatically lowered the profit point on niche cartridges these days and some pretty unique cartridges will be available for years to come.

The much poo-poo'd .300WSM is still alive despite the widespread predictions of it becoming obsolete in just a couple of years since introduction and in the stores I shop- it's as common as .30-06 and .308.

That’s interesting that you mention the .300WSM. Pretty much the only Nosler Custom 48 or Sporter that I’ve seen for sale used have all been in....300WSM! Heck I’ve got two Model 48 Custom Sporter right in front of me, well online that is, for sale.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Just a thought, but you could also start with something unique, like a 6.5 Creedmor, and have at least some factory rounds available (I think Hornady makes some). Then move on to reloading.

Same with 25-06, or 257 Roberts, or 280 Rem. Nothing as popular as a 270 or 30-06, so you might find it suits you better.

But for the record, if you get a 30-06 you'll never need any other rifle for hunting big game. But the same could be said for nearly everything from 25 caliber to 338 nowadays.

Interestingly Joel, I ran accross a ForSale posting of a RockyMountainRifle (well known BC gunsmith/outfitt here in Canada) of a 257A.I.

- built on a 96 Mauser Action
- The barrel is a Gaillard 24" Fluted & Powder Coated flat black matte
- Action was bedded & blueprinted and powder coated
- Action been modified to cock on open - wouldn't had this done, but that's just me.
- Timney trigger installed roughly 2.37-2.52 pounds
- Stock was done in a B&W texture Endura - if only it had a raise comb*
- Stock was glass bedded & barrel free floated

Newest asking price, from the original $2,600 is now $2,300. Maybe 60 to 80 rounds as per the sellers post. Seller would throw in two boxes of fireformed regular .257Roberts casing and the set of AI dies (never used). According to the post, it was his late's father's rifle, who didn't get to use it very much.

Interesting rifle for sure, but the stock I dunno if I'd be in love with unfortunately.

That would be a sweet rig...but the AI thing would be very difficult to find factory ammo for. Now, you could shoot plain 257 Roberts in until you start reloading, and keep the brass...

 

[SJB358]

That’s interesting that you mention the .300WSM. Pretty much the only Nosler Custom 48 or Sporter that I’ve seen for sale used have all been in....300WSM! Heck I’ve got two Model 48 Custom Sporter right in front of me, well online that is, for sale.

The 300WSM is a great cartridge as well Ben. Plenty of power for long stuff and not super hungry like the bigger 300 mags.

 

[CanuckBen]

That’s interesting that you mention the .300WSM. Pretty much the only Nosler Custom 48 or Sporter that I’ve seen for sale used have all been in....300WSM! Heck I’ve got two Model 48 Custom Sporter right in front of me, well online that is, for sale.

The 300WSM is a great cartridge as well Ben. Plenty of power for long stuff and not super hungry like the bigger 300 mags.

The only downside of it is that I know that I'll have to put a brake on it, which would involved getting the barrel and brake re-ceratoke, so extra $$ for that. Small detail though, but one to consider in the over cost. Funny that this caliber keeps popping up in the for sale section and I never see other calibers, at least up here (this isn't questionning the caliber as good or bad, just an obvervation)

Seems like a sweet rig all together. Offered with a Leupold Golden Ring VX-7 in 2.5-10x45mm, which I know next to zero about. Will do some reading. Whole rig for $3,650, a little pricey.

 

[SJB358]

That’s interesting that you mention the .300WSM. Pretty much the only Nosler Custom 48 or Sporter that I’ve seen for sale used have all been in....300WSM! Heck I’ve got two Model 48 Custom Sporter right in front of me, well online that is, for sale.

The 300WSM is a great cartridge as well Ben. Plenty of power for long stuff and not super hungry like the bigger 300 mags.

The only downside of it is that I know that I'll have to put a brake on it, which would involved getting the barrel and brake re-ceratoke, so extra $$ for that. Small detail though, but one to consider in the over cost. Funny that this caliber keeps popping up in the for sale section and I never see other calibers, at least up here (this isn't questionning the caliber as good or bad, just an obvervation)

Seems like a sweet rig all together. Offered with a Leupold Golden Ring VX-7 in 2.5-10x45mm, which I know next to zero about. Will do some reading. Whole rig for $3,650, a little pricey.

Sounds like a combo made to hunt!

 

[DrMike]

Ben,

Don't bet on the fact that you would require a muzzle brake on the 300WSM. Plan to shoot a premium 165 grain bullet to reduce recoil and you will be surprised at how little felt recoil there is with this cartridge. Get it in a decent weight rifle, and the recoil will be reduced still more. Make certain the rifle has a great recoil pad and the felt recoil is more than tolerable. If you can shoot a .308 or a .30-06, you can shoot a 300WSM.

 

[CanuckBen]

Ben,

Don't bet on the fact that you would require a muzzle brake on the 300WSM. Plan to shoot a premium 165 grain bullet to reduce recoil and you will be surprised at how little felt recoil there is with this cartridge. Get it in a decent weight rifle, and the recoil will be reduced still more. Make certain the rifle has a great recoil pad and the felt recoil is more than tolerable. If you can shoot a .308 or a .30-06, you can shoot a 300WSM.

I believe the Nosler 48 Custom Sport come with a Pachmayr pad. I've only used the LimbSavers on my shotguns (and let me tell you that a packed load of 3 1/2" turkey shell can pack a punch!), but I've heard good things about the Pachmayr; it's pretty light too @ 7lbs.

Tks again for the advice!

 

[SJB358]

Ben,

Don't bet on the fact that you would require a muzzle brake on the 300WSM. Plan to shoot a premium 165 grain bullet to reduce recoil and you will be surprised at how little felt recoil there is with this cartridge. Get it in a decent weight rifle, and the recoil will be reduced still more. Make certain the rifle has a great recoil pad and the felt recoil is more than tolerable. If you can shoot a .308 or a .30-06, you can shoot a 300WSM.

I believe the Nosler 48 Custom Sport come with a Pachmayr pad. I've only used the LimbSavers on my shotguns (and let me tell you that a packed load of 3 1/2" turkey shell can pack a punch!), but I've heard good things about the Pachmayr; it's pretty light too @ 7lbs.

Tks again for the advice!

If you can shoot 3.5 Turkey loads, the 300WSM is nothing!

 

[DrMike]

If you can shoot 3.5 Turkey loads, the 300WSM is nothing!

+1

 

[CanuckBen]

Ben,

Don't bet on the fact that you would require a muzzle brake on the 300WSM. Plan to shoot a premium 165 grain bullet to reduce recoil and you will be surprised at how little felt recoil there is with this cartridge. Get it in a decent weight rifle, and the recoil will be reduced still more. Make certain the rifle has a great recoil pad and the felt recoil is more than tolerable. If you can shoot a .308 or a .30-06, you can shoot a 300WSM.

I believe the Nosler 48 Custom Sport come with a Pachmayr pad. I've only used the LimbSavers on my shotguns (and let me tell you that a packed load of 3 1/2" turkey shell can pack a punch!), but I've heard good things about the Pachmayr; it's pretty light too @ 7lbs.

Tks again for the advice!

If you can shoot 3.5 Turkey loads, the 300WSM is nothing!

All I can say is that I wouldn't be shooting 2 1/4oz shots all day long that's for sure!!

 

[Anonymous]

The .300WSM shouldn't require a brake at all. I don't find mine any more bothersome than a light .30-06. You can load down or up but 180s at 2950 are very tolerable. I actually prefer the 180s to the 150s...I think the recoil impulse is more bothersome with the lighter bullets.

I think the first few runs were only available in the .270, 300 and .325 WSMs and the standard short actions were added later. In fact- I've only personally seen 4 rifles, all of them WSMs.

So the presence of more used WSM rifles is probably more reflective of the numbers and age of rifles produced and not a reflection on the cartridge.

 

[runtohunt]

I wanted to reload for several years before I started. I finally took the plunge 5 years ago and haven't looked back. The reloading process is surprisingly simple and I wish that I had started sooner. I too learned on my own since none of my friends reload. There is no way I would be able to shoot as much as I do if I didn't reload especially on calibers such as the 30-378 Roy at a cost of $120 for a box of twenty. I can reload 150 grain E-tips for about $50 dollars a box of 50 after purchasing the brass.

Personally, I would stay away from the muzzle breaks and try to shoot the caliber that you are looking at before installing a break. You can always use a mid to lower powder charge for lower recoil if you are reloading.

I have both a Sako (300WSM) and a Cooper (7STW); I love both rifles, but the Sako has the better trigger!