Wow My Cooper 52 in 416 Rem Mag is falling apart

[Boela]

+1 for the Mod70 recommendation.

I would further like to encourage you, that you inform your PH of the problems that the rifle gave you should you be able to take it along prior to hunting DG. You do not need a PH staring at a broken rifle in disbelief at a crucial moment in time.

I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming hunt, enjoy every moment of it

 

[BRICKBURN]

I guess that PH's backup rifle is the insurance for this hunt. As noted, let the PH know what you have been through on the first day out in the field.

If I were alone, there is not one hope in hell I would trust my life on that boat anchor.

Perhaps Cooper had best stick to 22-250 and such Varmint calibers that have no recoil.

I hope you have a safe and fun hunt.

 

[fourfive8]

Not a chance of me using such a rifle after experiencing that. I'd make Cooper eat that rifle for FULL refund including shipping. Keep the scope. Get something that will not do that. Short of breaking it off with a sledge hammer- I don't think the bolt handle will come off a Win 70, 98 Mauser, CZ, Montana 99 or an old Springfield. Remington had a rash of handles falling off several years ago.

 

[Rick Cox]

That REALLY sucks! At least if you send it back you will the assuarance it will have been thoroughly gone over. The last they need is bad press. Looks a very nice gun. Phoenix PHOENIX PHIL makes excellent points, especially about getting them to run several boxes of ammo through it. Good luck on the hunt!

 

[larry4831]

If I were Cooper arms I would look up the Smith that worked on this rifle. Who was it?" Sanford and son"

 

[Buckdog]

So sad but if I were you i would tell cooper to shove that rifle up their arse and give me my money back and go buy a new rifle asap like others have mentioned. No way in hell i would trust that POS with my life ever!!! I had an issue with a swaro scope just before my hunt of my own making but swaro stepped up to the plate huge for me, cooper should do no less and eat the gun.

 

[Areaonereal]

The fact it is a two piece bolt on a dangerous game rifle is unbelievable.. A tig welded bolt handle on a 416. Got to be kidding....forget the concern that everyone has on a CRF for a dangerous game rifle, think about that two piece bolt, with its handle in your hand and the bolt remaining in the rifle, a truly Oh Shit moment. OK, Mr PH it is your turn to shoot now and please do it quickly.....get a visual on that.

 

[CAustin]

Sir,
I absolutely agree with @PHOENIX PHIL on this one. The factory needs to supply you with a new bolt. I suspect replacing the bolt is the intent to begin with but you might want to ask them. Hopefully you are keeping good notes on who you spoke to and when. As a matter of course I would follow up your conversation with an email summary of the discussion.
I wish you all the best in getting this addressed.

 

[Areaonereal]

If the bolt is replaced, headspace will have to be adjusted, which entails barrel removal, so the scope still attached will not be zeroed due to the removal of the scope and other adjustments necessary to head spacing to a different bolt. Wish you the best with this problem....good luck on your trip.

 

[sierraone]

A combination of previous posts.....I would never shoot that rifle again. After you return from your hunt, you'll have lots of time to try and get your money back. In the mean time, quickly find yourself an inexpensive Winchester or Ruger, and go kill your lion!

 

[sierraone]

Sir,
I absolutely agree with @PHOENIX PHIL on this one. The factory needs to supply you with a new bolt. I suspect replacing the bolt is the intent to begin with but you might want to ask them. Hopefully you are keeping good notes on who you spoke to and when. As a matter of course I would follow up your conversation with an email summary of the discussion.
I wish you all the best in getting this addressed.

Charlie, you are correct....BUT, I am pretty sure that this late in the game, Obi has no time for this until he returns....hunting that lion is his primary and possibly his only focus, as it probably should be. This rifle has proven how dangerous it is to the owner/shooter. I would never touch it again except to pack it up to send back to the factory...AFTER I returned from Africa!

 

[Graham Hunter]

Looks like someone needs lessons in silver soldering. I am sure if you send it back you will get the utmost attention and consideration. Especially if you send them this website with the posts. And no you don't have to remove the barrel to have the correct headspace.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I wouldn't feel awesome about sending my scope to them either. I didn't realize it was a two piece bolt and that sounds like a huge design flaw on a 416.

Definitely check with the PH now about a rifle rental, I wouldn't hesitate to do that in a heart beat.

 

[LivingTheDream]

While you are down and out on the big gun, get another similar bolt action and some snap caps and practice dry firing. The muscle memory will make a big difference.

 

[IdaRam]

Wow, that is really scary @Obi Wan Kenobi . Crappy deal for sure and I'm glad you weren't racking the bolt for another shot on a Lion when you got this nasty surprise. I guess that's the silver lining if you want to see it that way.
Looking at the pics you posted it appears that in the process of silver soldering the 2 pieces together, the bolt body did not get heated enough in that critical area where the 2 pieces join. As you can see, the silver solder appears to have adhered to the bolt handle just fine but not to the bolt. It's all stuck to the handle.
I'm speculating based on very limited information, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt...
Silver soldered joints can be unbelievably strong, but in order to achieve an "unbreakable" joint both pieces must be heated to the point of glowing so penetration and bonding can be achieved. By the look of the joint surface on the bolt where the silver solder was, there is very little discoloration. It still appears "silver". It really should look black, blue or brown. There's also a telltale half moon of yellow discoloration on both pieces that suggest the slightest of air gaps developed at some point in that area before the 2 pieces parted company.
For what it's worth, that's my very much my "at a distance, internet" guess-essment
Having said all that, Cooper is not the only bolt action rifle manufacturer that employs this method of making bolts. It works just fine. Except when it doesn't!
I like Cooper rifles. I like Cooper, the company. I think they make good stuff in general. I believe they generally do a good job of standing behind their products. I don't like this design.
Regardless of the gun hassles, I hope you have a fantastic hunt! Hunting lion is an experience to be treasured. Don't get too wrapped up in this frustration and let it diminish your enjoyment of the hunt
My Best!

 

[Shootist43]

I was just looking at the holes where the sights flew off. Does it strike anyone else odd that there is only one hole foe each sight? Were they supposed to be silver soldered into place as well? Are the bases of the sights contoured to fit the barrel so that one screw is sufficient to hold them into position? Either way it looks like a poor design to me. I think you need to return this POS and get your money back.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Sights should have been silver solder as well

 

[Areaonereal]

Looks like someone needs lessons in silver soldering. I am sure if you send it back you will get the utmost attention and consideration. Especially if you send them this website with the posts. And no you don't have to remove the barrel to have the correct headspace.

If the new bolt will not close how is this corrected without removing the barrel or if the shoulder needs to be set back for correct headspace how is this accomplished without removing the barrel

 

[Graham Hunter]

The headspace is from the locking lugs not the bolt handle. I would doubt they would replace the bolt just the handle. Pretty easy to measure with gauges and a micrometer.

 

[Areaonereal]

My post referred to ....if the bolt is replaced......not the handle, which was a suggestion by Caustin. Ofcourse replacing the handle would be nothing more than timing and tig welding, but I was referencing a previous post of replacing a bolt, which would need to have the barrell to be removed unless you were very fortunate with the new replacement bolt that would have the correct head space....if that happens, buy a lottery ticket...lucky day.