Cooper Model 56

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 56 Rifle Review

Introduced in 2010, a year after the Model 54, the Cooper Firearms Model 56 is the magnum version of models 52 and 54. It shares the overall design of its predecessors while being chambered for magnum cartridges.

The rifle has a hardened steel receiver which houses a three-lug bolt designed for reduced lift. There is a has a two-position safety lever located on the same side as the bolt handle. When pulled rearward, the lever blocks the trigger but does not affect the bolt's operation. When the lever is pushed forward, a red dot is exposed on the indicator, marking that the rifle is ready to fire.

Model 56 features a single-stage trigger mechanism, providing adjustments for over-travel, sear engagement, and trigger pressure. The trigger pull weight can be adjusted and ranges from 680 to 1814 grams (1.5-4 lbs). The bolt release lever is placed on the right side of the receiver. Unlike single-shot Cooper models, the Model 52 features a three-round detachable magazine.

The upper part of the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounting, and some models come pre-fitted with mounting bases. Similar to other Cooper Firearms models, the Model 56 comes in various stocks and finishes.

Figure 1: Cooper model 56, chambered for .257 Wby. Mag. (Source: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/101330484)

Cooper Model 56 Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

• .257 Wby. Mag.

• .264 Win. Mag.

• .270 Wby. Mag.

• 7mm Rem. Mag.

• 7mm Wby. Mag.

• 7mm STW

• .300 H&H

• .300 Win. Mag.

• .308 Norma Mag.

• .300 Wby. Mag.

• 8mm Rem. Mag.

• .338 Win. Mag.

• .340 Wby. Mag.

• .375 H&H Mag.

Cooper Model 56 Variants

The rifle is available in the following variants:

• Cooper Model 56 Classic

• Cooper Model 56 Jackson Game

• Cooper Model 56 Jackson Excalibur

• Cooper Model 56 Phoenix

• Cooper Model 56 Western Classic

• Cooper Model 56 Varminter

• Cooper Model 56 Custom Classic

• Cooper Model 56 Jackson Squirrel Rifle (JSR)

• Cooper Model 56 Laminate Sporter

• Cooper Model 56 Open Country Long Range

• Cooper Model 56 Open Country Long Range Hunter

The receivers of Cooper Model 56 come with four holes that can be used for scope mounting purposes. There are two holes on the front and two on the rear mounting surface.

Figure 2: Cooper Model 56, chambered for .257 Wby. Mag. (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/cooper-arms-rifles/cooper-arms-56-classic-bolt-action-rifle---257-weatherby-mag.cfm?gun_id=100828364)

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 56 action and would be willing to share with us detailed information regarding holes spacings on the top of the receiver, please contact us at [email protected]

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 56

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 56 

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 56.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Cooper Model 56

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 56 are the following:

• Cooper Model 16

• Cooper Model 22

• Cooper Model 52

• Cooper Model 54

• Cooper Model 92

Best Scope Mounts for Cooper Model 56

Fixed Scope Mounts for Cooper Model 56

If you are looking for a reliable fixed mounting solution for your Cooper Model 56, you might consider these Talley rings. They are made from high-quality aluminum alloy and come with a ten-year warranty.

Check out Talley Scope mount

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: [email protected]