HS vs Cooper

[MarbleEyez]

Looking at getting a custom rifle in a 7mm Ultra or STW. For you guys out there who spent the money on these fancy guns, what's main difference between the two? Wanting a long range rifle for out west. Figure if I'm going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

 

[5575]

I've had an HS rifle in the form of a 7 STW for about 20 years now. Actually just put a new 5-25x50 on her this year.
Both companies make good guns but that goes for most out there. Allot of great gunsmiths in the state as well, I'd probably look into going that rout and have something no one has.

 

[Kurtr]

Long rifles Inc. Sturgis sd. The smith that built my rifle is taking a little time off so I would.go.with Chad. He will far surpass anything either of those company's can offer.

 

[Plain Skeeter]

www.betzsgunworks.com


I just heard about this place yesterday.

 

[SDMF]

Looking at getting a custom rifle in a 7mm Ultra or STW. For you guys out there who spent the money on these fancy guns, what's main difference between the two? Wanting a long range rifle for out west. Figure if I'm going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

No bad choice between those 2 unless weight is also a concern. Either of those companies will build you a very accurate piece. I'd look at handling both to see if one "fits" you better than the other. Be prepared for a rifle/scope/sling/ammo combo thats a bit north of 10#.

 

[Whisky]

Nosler Patriot might be another to consider. Not sure if they come chambered in those 2 rounds but they have the 28 Nosler which appears to be a pretty nice 7mm round.

Between the 2 you mentioned I would lean Cooper. In fact they are working on releasing a lightweight that looks damn nice also.

 

[MarbleEyez]

I've had an HS rifle in the form of a 7 STW for about 20 years now. Actually just put a new 5-25x50 on her this year.
Both companies make good guns but that goes for most out there. Allot of great gunsmiths in the state as well, I'd probably look into going that rout and have something no one has.

Any suggestions on gunsmiths if a guy goes that route? I'm thinking that no matter if it's a HS, Cooper, or Custom, the accuracy should all be pretty similar. Curious what a custom would run a guy. Any of you guys have one out there?

 

[Kurtr]

I had mine built by AD Arms but he is in the process of moving so not taking work. i would not hesitate to give chad a call at LRI he builds great guns also in no particular order. I am sure there are more i have forgot but best thing to do is call and chat with a smith and see the direction to go.

GA Precision
APA
Rw Snyder
Bugholes
TS Customs
Area 419 firearms

 

[PrairieGhost]

I have two custom, one semi custom, and a Cooper Phoenix. They are all good. Most smiths will guarantee a one minute of angle, very good gunsmiths guarantee 1/2 minute of angle. My experience is those gunsmiths who guarantee 1/2 minute normally produce rifles that with good ammo produce 1/4 minute of angle. I would lean towards custom so you can pick your rifling twist. 9 1/2 inch twist will stabilize the 175gr with no problem, and maybe even heavier, but I would pick a one in 9 inch to stabilize the 180, and even 185 gr Berger VLD's. Ballistic coefficient is a good measure, and anything with a ballistic coefficient above .650 will normally require a one in 9 twist. If Cooper has that in the rifle you want, then go for it.

Edit: http://cooperfirearms.com/jackson-hunter
Nice looking rig.

If you download their Catalogue page 21 shows the twist rate for the 7mm STW at one in 9 inches. Couldn't go wrong with that rifle.

 

[Whisky]

Customs are going to be 2500-3500 depending on components and such. They will be more then your 1500 higher end "factory" rifles.

I priced out a custom lightweight how I want it built and I'm around 3250 I think. Then I look at something like a Tikka T3 Superlite and bedding it into a Manners stock and threading on a brake for under 1500 and i dont think I can justify a 3k+ price tag for a hunting rifle.

 

[SDMF]

Cooper will acomidate different twist requests for a small upcharge and it's typically a bit longer wait.

Unlikely you'd be dissatisfied by anyone on KurtR's list.

 

[Kurtr]

I have two custom, one semi custom, and a Cooper Phoenix. They are all good. Most smiths will guarantee a one minute of angle, very good gunsmiths guarantee 1/2 minute of angle. My experience is those gunsmiths who guarantee 1/2 minute normally produce rifles that with good ammo produce 1/4 minute of angle. I would lean towards custom so you can pick your rifling twist. 9 1/2 inch twist will stabilize the 175gr with no problem, and maybe even heavier, but I would pick a one in 9 inch to stabilize the 180, and even 185 gr Berger VLD's. Ballistic coefficient is a good measure, and anything with a ballistic coefficient above .650 will normally require a one in 9 twist. If Cooper has that in the rifle you want, then go for it.

Edit: http://cooperfirearms.com/jackson-hunter
Nice looking rig.

If you download their Catalogue page 21 shows the twist rate for the 7mm STW at one in 9 inches. Couldn't go wrong with that rifle.

If i am running one of the high horse power 7's the 195 berger would have lots of interest along with the new hornady line of eld-x bullets.

 

[ItemB]

No bad choice between those 2 unless weight is also a concern. Either of those companies will build you a very accurate piece. I'd look at handling both to see if one "fits" you better than the other. Be prepared for a rifle/scope/sling/ammo combo thats a bit north of 10#.

If weight was somewhat of a concern got any recommendations on what to look at as far as a custom/semi custom rifle goes?

 

[SDMF]

If weight was somewhat of a concern got any recommendations on what to look at as far as a custom/semi custom rifle goes?

NULA (New UltraLight Arms) in no more than a 7Rem or 7WSM so as to NOT need a brake. Melvin's Model 20 in 284Win is pretty much the holy grail of "The most for the least". Kimber 8400 in 7WSM assuming you can make it shoot is another contender, but, you gotta find a used one as they don't chamber the 7WSM anymore.

Of course much of the above depends upon what your idea of "long-range" actually is and what you're willing to compromise with in terms of bullet performance. It's no secret I'm a TSX zealot, but, it's because I've seen them work, and work flawlessly from 50-600yds on a multitude of targets, deer, elk, moose, caribou, antelope, coyotes, and a proxy kill on a White Sands Oryx. If one knew that 300yds was the minimum range and sky's the limit on max range, one of the match or hybrid type bullets is better suited. A-Max, Berger, Lapua Scenar, etc, but, I'd not want any of those choices on a deer comin' outta the cattails @ 25yds. Gotta decide where you're gonna compromise.