Cooper 38 22SQ Varmint

[rick w.]

I suspect that the 22 squirrel is kinda a centerfire 22 magnum attempt. I would think somewhat specialized as to use. As you know, the smaller the case, the more careful one might be with the load. Fairly quiet are these little wildcats, might be of some use where noise is an issue.

The Cooper is a nice rifle. Being a single shot I believe, the squirrel has the same head as any other offshoot of the hornet, so one could entertain shooting as is for a while, updating said barrel with a rechamber say to a KHornet, or just go the extra barrel route. Have to remember it is a wildcat, but yet a 22 wildcat, probably easier to form than the 17 or 14 versions, just my opinion.

If you can get into the Cooper at the right price suitable to you, then you could do worse in rifle selection. I suspect it has a good barrel and accurately machined action, but one could consider another action as well. Just depends on what you like and the checkbook. The squirrel is right short, so one might ponder a rifle that is single shot or has a fixed follower.

Dies will tend to bite a little on purchase, but do show up preowned occasionally. Forming dies can be factory or homebrew with bushings for the little guys.

I shoot on occasion a 17 Bumble Bee in a Ruger No.1, have the RCBS form and reloading dies off Ebay...........does ok for my needs. May take a while to get the recipe for the case forming, but probably not a big deal especially I think with the 22 cal front end.

The rifle questioned is a nice rifle I am sure, certainly can be updated if the squirrel does not do the trick for you.

[Gabe221]

The price tag caught my eye off the bat. I have a custom 221 fireball rifle, with twice the price tag to build it than the Cooper. I have to make my fireball cases and use custom dies. Now the opportunity to purchase a smaller reloadable round in a factory chambering might be the way to go for me here. I haven't seen any used rifles in this chambering. I thought about getting a stub barreled for a H&R.

Thanks for the replies, now to find some brass, dies, and put the rifle in my shop..

[Chuck Miller]

Sounds like you bought it right so can't really get hurt, Coopers really hang on to their value. Post some pics when you get it, we like Cooper porn.

[Ted G]

I would go with a K-Hornet. You can load it down or loaded hot the brass last much longer than the Hornet