The Cooper Montana Varminter in 20 Tactical By Vince Bottomley


The Cooper Montana Varminter in 20 Tactical


OK - we’re a target-shooting magazine not a hunting magazine, so why are we reviewing a varmint rifle? Well, if you can’t run to a custom- built gun but you are looking for something a bit above the average factory rifle for a bit of range shooting as well as


I saw my first Cooper about 17 years ago at a benchrest match. It cleaned-up in the ‘factory’ category and, if I’m not mistaken, the UKBRA (United Kingdom Benchrest Association) subsequently decided that the Coopers weren’t ‘in the spirit’ of the factory class!


Over the last few years, I’ve reviewed a few Coopers – a 6PPC and a 204Ruger were the last two chamberings and, it was this rifle’s chambering which attracted me – 20 Tactical. I’ve read plenty about the 20 Tac. on the internet and it appeared to be the ‘thinking man’s’ version of the 204 Ruger, utilising a slightly smaller case - made by Lapua.


I didn’t use the moderator for the 100 yard accuracy test


hunting, then the Coopers are worth considering.


The 20 Tac was actually designed by US shooter Todd Kindler, editor of Small Calibre News and owner of the Woodchuck Den – which kind of gives an insight into the 20 Tac’s preferred targets!


Now I know the 204 Ruger can be a stunningly accurate target round for, in 2009, our own Laurie Holland won the UKBRA factory benchrest class with


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