Tom,

Funny you mentioned the business model of Cooper..I too have a friend who has been a gun dealer in a small community north of here..same thing..he has sold Weatherby's for 30 plus years in addition to whatever else his clients have wanted to order. When he approached Cooper they would not allow it was he was less than 100 miles from Great Falls..actually 93 I believe..

Coopers are a very good shooting rifles as well..have several and all shoot very small groups with my .220 Swift and 6/284 probably shooting the best of the lot...actually purchased one of their model 52's about a month ago in 30-06...have not even shot it yet--will probably save that for a mid-winter project as the hunting seasons are upon us here..

Can't wait to see you new rifle however--have never heard anything but good about them..

Thank you

Ripp