Cooper Laminate Sporter vs Bergara Premier Stalker or Mountain vs Fierce Edge or Fury

[barrister]

I need help in understanding more about the rifles mentioned in the thread title. I'm looking for pros and cons. I will be using the guns for hunting purposes first and foremost. I doubt I'll be hunting for sheep, mountain goat or grizzlies, but everything else in North America will be fair game (antelope to moose, with black bears in there as well). So, super light weight is not a high priority for me (hence why I'm looking at that Cooper model).

I don't have ready access to handle and inspect these rifles first hand, so I appreciate any and all feedback this group can provide from your experiences.

I'm not really looking for guidance on the caliber choice, but just in case your input on the rifle itself is helped by knowing the intended caliber: I'm probably looking at 30-06 or 308 for the rifle (which limits the Fierce to 308). I have a 300 Win Mag Thompson Center. It shoots well, but I'm looking for a really quality rifle that takes things to the next, near custom level.

Thanks in advance.

 

[R H Clark]

I need help in understanding more about the rifles mentioned in the thread title. I'm looking for pros and cons. I will be using the guns for hunting purposes first and foremost. I doubt I'll be hunting for sheep, mountain goat or grizzlies, but everything else in North America will be fair game (antelope to moose, with black bears in there as well). So, super light weight is not a high priority for me (hence why I'm looking at that Cooper model).

I don't have ready access to handle and inspect these rifles first hand, so I appreciate any and all feedback this group can provide from your experiences.

I'm not really looking for guidance on the caliber choice, but just in case your input on the rifle itself is helped by knowing the intended caliber: I'm probably looking at 30-06 or 308 for the rifle (which limits the Fierce to 308). I have a 300 Win Mag Thompson Center. It shoots well, but I'm looking for a really quality rifle that takes things to the next, near custom level.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not trying to just give you another rifle that you should consider, but I would like to ask you why weight isn't much of a concern? I guess it depends on how you hunt. To me hunting has always meant carrying a rifle a long way. As I get older weight matters more and more.

 

[barrister]

As much as I wish I could, the reality is that I won't be doing DIY backcountry hunts and I won't be doing more than one hunt per year. So, I should say "weight isn't my highest priority". I'll be carrying a rifle for sure, but I don't need it to be a 6 pound rifle.

I've also experienced the point of diminishing returns between rifles that are too light and calibers that are simply too big for those rifles IMO. They just aren't fun to shoot, so I won't become as proficient as I would like with this next "really nice rifle" purchase. That's been more in the 338 and 300 caliber range. For me, I think 7 pounds for a 30-06 and 6.5 pounds for a 308 would be a good blend between carry utility and enjoyable shooting for range/practice.

Of the rifles listed, I don't think any of them are particularly heavy. The Cooper will be the heaviest option there (but I'm having trouble knowing exactly the weight because I can't find that specific gun on their website). But, that is the type of first hand information I would like to get from those with experience on those guns.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

What caliber are you looking to get? I don’t know why, but for me certain rifles are more or less appealing in certain calibers. Also are you o my set on those models or are you interested in other suggestions? I only ask because I doubt many people have conpat d the rifles you listed side by side but at the same time I don’t want to be “that guy” IE: hey guys, what’s better a Remington or a Winchester??? Get a tikka....that guy.

 

[mtluckydan]

In preparation for a moose hunt, purchased first Cooper in 300 win mag. Recoil is similar to 243 & first 3-shot group was 1/2 inch. Finished weight with scope is around 7 pounds. There is a laminated stocked Cooper rifle in local store - unsure on the model but test target is essentially one hole. It is a very nice rifle but wouldn't want to carry it very far. Ultimately, the Cooper option will eliminate any questions about buying a rifle that won't be accurate. They just shoot.

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[davsco]

BIL had two coopers and they were both definitely shooters. If I were a righty, the gun below would be in my safe now. Not a fan of wood or even laminated wood.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/768529045

 

[R H Clark]

As much as I wish I could, the reality is that I won't be doing DIY backcountry hunts and I won't be doing more than one hunt per year. So, I should say "weight isn't my highest priority". I'll be carrying a rifle for sure, but I don't need it to be a 6 pound rifle.

I've also experienced the point of diminishing returns between rifles that are too light and calibers that are simply too big for those rifles IMO. They just aren't fun to shoot, so I won't become as proficient as I would like with this next "really nice rifle" purchase. That's been more in the 338 and 300 caliber range. For me, I think 7 pounds for a 30-06 and 6.5 pounds for a 308 would be a good blend between carry utility and enjoyable shooting for range/practice.

Of the rifles listed, I don't think any of them are particularly heavy. The Cooper will be the heaviest option there (but I'm having trouble knowing exactly the weight because I can't find that specific gun on their website). But, that is the type of first hand information I would like to get from those with experience on those guns.

Thanks for explaining that. I'm glad to see you aren't just some young inexperienced guy who is right now strong enough to pack in as much as a mule.

I honestly don't have first hand information on those rifles. I can tell you some of what I'm hearing about them from people I trust. I think the Cooper would be the best chance of being the best shooter. The other two could be great as well though. With the Fierce rifles there is a chance with some calibers that the ejection could contact a scope and give issue. It's been known in the Sako 85 design for some time ,which the Fierce copies except for the tapered dovetail.

I think I see what type rifle you are looking for. I would agree that the lightest possible isn't really optimal for you, or anyone for that matter. In the price range you are looking at production guns, it's possible you could find someone's custom they have tired of. I think that's what I would be keeping my eyes open for considering your options. You could likely buy a custom action-barrel in a McMillan or Manners in your price range. I wouldn't be looking for just anything ,but if a proven shooter came available from someone I trusted, I think value wise it would be a better deal than any of those production rifles.

 

[barrister]

NewMexican, I'm looking at 30-06 or 308. I'm always open to suggestions, but those are my focus now. Regarding Tikka as an example, I tried two Tikkas and they just didn't do it for me. They were Ok feeling but didn't feel or shoot any better than a couple Thompson Centers I owned. That is just me, and I know fully that others have had great success with Tikka. I just sold the two Tikkas and two Thompson Centers to make room for the next rifle.

 

[barrister]

Mtluckydan, what model Cooper did you have in the 300 Win Mag? Did it have a muzzle break? I'm certainly not against a 300, I've just found I don't like that caliber if the rifle is too light.

 

[barrister]

R H Clark, thanks for the info. I'll search a bit and see what is out there in the used market. Pretty much all I read about the Coopers is positive. The Bergaras have good press, but not tons of info out there.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Here is another vote for Cooper. I have a .260 Phoenix, a .7mm-08 Jackson Hunter, and a .300 win Excalibur, and they all shoot exactly where you aim. I want to say the .300 Excalibur is around 7.5# naked. Recoil is not bad at all.

 

[R H Clark]

R H Clark, thanks for the info. I'll search a bit and see what is out there in the used market. Pretty much all I read about the Coopers is positive. The Bergaras have good press, but not tons of info out there.

You are welcome, for what it's worth, which isn't much. To me,the Cooper is on a level higher than the Bergara. I see the Bergara about like a well made Remington, basically how Remington should operate. Most of the Remington's shot very well as long as quality control was high.

I see the Cooper as a semi custom with more attention put toward detail. Don't they all have a 1/2 MOA guarantee? If you are fine with the weight ,design and non bolt locking safety, I see it as the most likely to be the most accurate. Not that the others can't be just as accurate but I think those chances are higher with the Cooper.

 

[N2TRKYS]

You are welcome, for what it's worth, which isn't much. To me,the Cooper is on a level higher than the Bergara. I see the Bergara about like a well made Remington, basically how Remington should operate. Most of the Remington's shot very well as long as quality control was high.

I see the Cooper as a semi custom with more attention put toward detail. Don't they all have a 1/2 MOA guarantee? If you are fine with the weight ,design and non bolt locking safety, I see it as the most likely to be the most accurate. Not that the others can't be just as accurate but I think those chances are higher with the Cooper.

When do you think that Remington's accuracy went away?

 

[ChadS]

In preparation for a moose hunt, purchased first Cooper in 300 win mag. Recoil is similar to 243 & first 3-shot group was 1/2 inch. Finished weight with scope is around 7 pounds. There is a laminated stocked Cooper rifle in local store - unsure on the model but test target is essentially one hole. It is a very nice rifle but wouldn't want to carry it very far. Ultimately, the Cooper option will eliminate any questions about buying a rifle that won't be accurate. They just shoot.

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Which model Cooper are you referring to, and what bullets/grain did you have shooting .5?

 

[elkguide]

I'm shooting a Cooper Excaliber in .300 Win Mag with a Burris Black Diamond 4-16X50 scope and it weighs in at 8#15oz. A little bit heavier than I like but the recoil is totally manageable and on top of 3/8" 3 shot groups at 100 yards, I just shot a 7/8" 3 shot group at 300 yards. I'm shooting 175 Berger VLD's in it.

 

[FURMAN]

As far as I am concerned the Fierce and Cooper are in a different league than the Bergara. I would take a Fierce over the Cooper but both are great rifles. The magazine on the Fierce is one of the best. The CRF on the Fierce makes it feed from the mag better than anything I have cycled. I know the Fierce and the Coopers will both shoot under .5 moa. Cooper will have the best customer service(you should not need it).

 

[barrister]

I'm glad to see this thread revived. I couldn't decide on one rifle, so I picked up a few since the date of my last post. I was a able to get discounted deals on a Bergara Mountain rifle in .308 and a Bergara Stalker in 30-06. I was also so enamored with the Barrett Fieldcraft I acquired one in .243. I won't get to shoot any of them until after deer season and the weather cooperates. I'll post my impressions as I'm able.

I came very close to either a Fierce Fury or a Cooper Backcountry, but the deals on the Bergaras prevailed. Also, I have no experience with a brake. I can't spend that type of money not knowing that variable (noise, need for hearing protection in the field, kicked up debris shooting prone).

 

[Shooter09]

I have a Beraga B-14 Ridge and Premier Series Mountain and have been really impressed. I liked the Fierce Fury I shot on a 200-700 yard course but don't own one. I have less experience with Cooper but have yet to hear anything negative about them.