Cooper Model 51

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The History of Cooper

Cooper was established in 1990 by Dan Cooper and two former employees of Kimber of Oregon. Initially, the company focused on the production of hunting rifles, specifically those used for varmint hunting. Their initial product line included the Model 36 TRP-1, part of their Target Rifle Project-Phase 1, and the Model 38 in 22CCM, intended for sports shooting.

In 1993, they started testing a one-shot varmint rifle in .223 Remington, leading to the development of the three-lug bolt action Model 21 also known as "Varmint Extreme". In 1998, the company underwent a rebranding, adopting the name "Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc." and marking its products accordingly. That year, they introduced Models 21 and 22, collectively known as "Varminter", and expanded their range with the Model 57, which later evolved into Model 57M in 2001. They also added new stock designs to their offer in 2005.

2007 marked the introduction of the Model 52, designed for use with .30-06 cartridges. However, 2008 was a challenging year for the company, with a controversy surrounding Dan Cooper's financial support to a pro-gun control presidential candidate Barack Obama. This resulted in Cooper stepping down from his CEO position. Following this period, the company continued to innovate with the release of models like the short action repeater Model 54 in 2009, and the Model 56, accommodating various magnum calibers, in 2010.

Fast forward to 2023, Nighthawk Custom of Arkansas acquired Cooper Firearms of Montana, and the production facilities were transferred to Arkansas, USA. In February 2023, Nighthawk communicated to Cooper customers that they had acquired Cooper's assets, including the brand name, intellectual properties, and inventory, after a team visit to Montana in December. They relocated these assets to Arkansas and are planning to manufacture new Cooper rifles there, with operations expected to start in late 2023.

Cooper Model 51 Rifle Review

The Cooper Model 51 is a bolt-action rifle, chambered for centerfire cartridges in the .223 Remington family. It comes with a 609 mm (24-inch) chrome-moly match barrel and a three-lug stainless steel bolt with a plunger-style ejector, positioned on the bolt face. The 51 Model can be configured for both right and left-hand users.

Contrary to many single-shot models in the Cooper family, the rifle has a standard four-round detachable single-stack magazine. The single-stage trigger system is fully adjustable for the pull weight, overtravel, and sear engagement.

The safety system involves a two-position safety lever. Pulling the lever back blocks the trigger, although the bolt can still be operated. When the lever is pushed forward, a red dot becomes visible, signalling the rifle is ready to fire. The bolt release lever is positioned on the right side of the receiver like on all Cooper rifles.

Moreover, the upper part of the receiver is also drilled and tapped for the option of mounting scopes, with some models featuring pre-installed mounting bases. Most models come pre-equipped either with a rubber or a steel recoil pad.

Cooper Model 51, chambered for .223 Rem.

Figure 1: Cooper Model 51, chambered for .223 Rem. (Source: https://assets.basspro.com/image/list/fn_select:jq:first(.%5B%5D%7Cselect(.public_id%20%7C%20endswith(%22main%22)))/3735185.json)

Cooper model 51 Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

.17 Rem.
.19-223
.20 Tactical
.204 Ruger
.222 Rem.
.222 Rem. Mag.
.223 Rem.
.223 Rem. AI
6x45
6x47
.300 AAC Blackout

Cooper Model 51 Variants

The rifle is available in the following variants:

Cooper Model 51 Jackson Hunter
Cooper Model 51 Excalibur
Cooper Model 51 Jackson Game
Cooper Model 51 Custom Classic
Cooper Model 51 Western Classic
Cooper Model 51 Montana Varminter
Cooper Model 51 Phoenix
Cooper Model 51 Mannlicher
Cooper Model 51 VAR-TAC

The receivers of Cooper Model 51 rifles come with four holes for scope mounting purposes. There are two holes at the front and two at the rear end of the receiver.

The receiver of Cooper Model 51, chambered for .223 Rem.

Figure 2: The receiver of Cooper Model 51, chambered for .223 Rem. (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/cooper-arms-rifles/cooper-firearms-model-51-montana-varminter-223-rem.cfm?gun_id=101732735)

Cooper Model 51

Unfortunately, we were unable to find the exact dimensions of the mounting surface for this rifle. Should you happen to own a rifle that uses Model 51 action and would be willing to share with us detailed information regarding holes spacings on the top of the receiver, please contact us at info@optics-trade.eu

Thank you!

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 51

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 51

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Since we cannot confirm the exact B distance between the mounting holes on top of the receiver, we cannot provide you with the list of rifles, that have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Cooper Model 51.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 51

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart. Rifles that share two-piece scope mounts with Cooper Model 51 are the following:

Best Scope Mounts for Cooper Model 51

Fixed Scope Mounts for Cooper Model 51

If you are looking for a reliable fixed mounting solution for your Cooper Model 51, you might consider these Talley rings. They are made from high-quality aluminum alloy and come with a ten-year warranty.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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Warne Maxima 2 Piece Base for Cooper 21 / 36 / 38 / 57, Kimber 82A / 82B / 84A / 84B / Hornet (6-48 screws)

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Cooper Model 51

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The History of Cooper