Forbes Rifle

gerry

gerry

Ammo Smith
Mar 1, 2007
6,995
2,035
This one has my interest, supposedly a left hand version is in the works, we will see. For you right hand guys how does a 5.25 lb 270 or 30-06 sound? This is a version of the NULA rifle that is being mass produced (for lack of a better term) using the same stocks and actions for around $1400. The NULA is supposed to be one of the very best light weight guns out there and so far this one is getting a lot of great press, will be interesting to see how the guns shoot once the average guy have them.

http://www.forbesriflellc.com/Home.aspx

http://www.americanhunter.org/articles/forbes-rifle/
 
Gerry, I read about the first reports of this rifle in the American Riflemen. I can't see any issue with a rifle like that in a 270 or 30-06. I had a hard time passing up the Colt Light Rifle that was on here a few months ago. I don't see much wrong with a lighter weight rifle like that for normal hunting and the NULA rifles are some pretty awesome shooters as well, at least, from all I have seen and read about.
 
That sounds pretty neat. I'd be open to securing one of the first in Canada, just 'cause.
 
This is very likely the best deal in a lightweight rifle coming to market currently. I love my 30-06 Colt, and this is (basically) the same barreled action in Forbes' ultralight stock. I looked into that very upgrade for my CLR but couldn't justify it right now, as it runs about $650 or so, if I am recalling correctly, to get Mr. Forbes to refit the rifle with his trigger, replace the striker spring, and swap out the stock. It lightens the CLR down to effectively 5.3lbs, as I understand it. I know it comes down below 5.5lbs with Forbes' stock. At a street price of $1400-ish, I don't think Forbes will be able to keep up with demand in the early stages. I'd love one in 270Win. Heck, I'd love to get one and convert it to a 6.5-280RCBS Improved, but that's another story. That may happen to a CLR at some point, if I can ever find another one for a deal.

The big advantage, as I see it, is that Forbes understands how to make lightweight stuff in the truest sense. He doesn't lighten rifles by chopping the barrel to 20", or loading them up with plastic. These new Forbes rifles, like the CLR, wear a 24" barrel, which will give you an additional 20-30yds of point blank range without holdover in the field. That's real value, in my opinion. I can't wait to handle one of these. Though it will only make the sickness worse, I'm afraid.
 
Just from reading about it in American Rifleman, and seeing the quality of the NULA rifles... I suspect this Forbes rifle is going to be a real winner for those who favor a lightweight hunting rifle.

Lightweight can be very, very good on a tough hunt! As I recall some of the gunwriters have had good things to say about how the Forbes/NULA stock handles recoil, despite the light weight.

Guy
 
The Kimber 84L has a 24 barrel and runs 5lb 10 oz at about $1200. I'll be interested to see how they compare.
 
I will wager the Forbes will be way more accurate.
 
I will wager the Forbes will be way more accurate.
Click to expand...

That's a bet I wouldn't take. Melvin Forbes has built his reputation on a light rifle that shoots amazingly tiny groups. I can't imagine this rifle will be any different.
 
If my CLR is any indication, I'm not taking that bet, either!
 
Kimber 84M Montana 338 Fed at 100 yds with 225 Swift A/Fs at 2406 FPS and the 185 TSX at 200 zeroing and a 3 shot group before final zero. It ain't Creedmore but it ain't bad. The little 22" 5lb 1 oz rifle does OK. Rats! I turned my camera back to 5 Meg. Ok it's running about 1/2" at 100 and 7/8" at 200 3 shot groups. I'll have to re-take the pictures.
 
dubyam":2xjgb4g3 said:
This is very likely the best deal in a lightweight rifle coming to market currently. I love my 30-06 Colt, and this is (basically) the same barreled action in Forbes' ultralight stock. I looked into that very upgrade for my CLR but couldn't justify it right now, as it runs about $650 or so, if I am recalling correctly, to get Mr. Forbes to refit the rifle with his trigger, replace the striker spring, and swap out the stock. It lightens the CLR down to effectively 5.3lbs, as I understand it. I know it comes down below 5.5lbs with Forbes' stock. At a street price of $1400-ish, I don't think Forbes will be able to keep up with demand in the early stages. I'd love one in 270Win. Heck, I'd love to get one and convert it to a 6.5-280RCBS Improved, but that's another story. That may happen to a CLR at some point, if I can ever find another one for a deal.

The big advantage, as I see it, is that Forbes understands how to make lightweight stuff in the truest sense. He doesn't lighten rifles by chopping the barrel to 20", or loading them up with plastic. These new Forbes rifles, like the CLR, wear a 24" barrel, which will give you an additional 20-30yds of point blank range without holdover in the field. That's real value, in my opinion. I can't wait to handle one of these. Though it will only make the sickness worse, I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

You summed it up very well. From what I have read over at 24hourcampfire the CLR could be very good or very bad when it came to accuracy which is why it didn't do so well. It sounds like Melvin Forbes is taking his time making sure that the quality stays high and like you said it will likely sell very well.
 
I don't visit 24hr so I can't really speak to anything said over there. I do know that there's an awful lot of "supposing" going on on the internet about the CLR. I've only shot mine, but I know - personally - several people with them, and I've talked to at least a couple dozen owners online. My sample size is roughly 30 rifles. And every one of those rifles is a shooter. Some took more cajoling (especially one particularly picky 300WinMag) but they all shoot consistently under 1", and some well under 1" - like mine. I have yet to find anyone who has owned one and been unable to get it to shoot. I've read a number of threads archived from all over about them, and about people finding screws going into wallowed out holes, and plastic stuffed in here or there to tighten up the fit of parts, and all manner of inaccurate shooting. Perhaps some of these have come from 24hr, even. But, the common thread on all of these is that the poster had this awful shooting CLR, with poor QC, and they have an inside source and talked to someone about how production was crap and all the guns are worthless. Oh, and they either rebarreled the rifle into something else, like a 257Rob or 6.5Swede, or they sold it at a huge loss and won't go near anything with Colt on it to this day. Bottom line is, I suspect the vast majority, if not all these tales, are either mostly or total BS. If it were "hit or miss" on QC, I'd have seen at least a few rifles out of the near 1% of production I've sampled either personally or indirectly, which were losers. But I've yet to see one that won't shoot three shots into under an inch. Most of them will shoot three shots into well under an inch. Eight or ten of them will put three shots into one slightly out of round hole. I suspect mine could do a bit better than the just under half inch groups I'm getting, as I found that load during pressure workups and simply quit trying after that. With a little seating depth tweaking I bet I could get it down. One day that will be the project on the top of my list.
 
I don't know nearly as much as Dub, but when the 30-06 was for sale here, the CLR, I really wanted it.. I am not too worried about making a rifle shoot. I own a couple Remingtons.... I am used to working for it!
 
In the interest of public service, Scotty, since you're coming home with deployment money, and you know that you deserve a reward for being a good Marine, here are some options:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =302389406
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =302496690
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =301856357

That first one would be a nice addition to anyone's safe. A 24" barreled, sub-8lb mountain rifle with the range and capability of the 7mmRemMag would sure be hard to beat as an all-around rifle for anything except sub-Saharan Africa. If I had the coin, I'd be bidding. I bet the reserve on that is close to $1k, and he won't get that for it, I imagine. Might be worth watching that auction to see if he'll make a deal afterwards. Of course, the other two are no slouch, either. I'd love to have a -06, 270Win, and 7mmRem in the CLR. But that's just crazy talk...
 
dubyam":301px5i3 said:
In the interest of public service, Scotty, since you're coming home with deployment money, and you know that you deserve a reward for being a good Marine, here are some options:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =302389406
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =302496690
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =301856357

That first one would be a nice addition to anyone's safe. A 24" barreled, sub-8lb mountain rifle with the range and capability of the 7mmRemMag would sure be hard to beat as an all-around rifle for anything except sub-Saharan Africa. If I had the coin, I'd be bidding. I bet the reserve on that is close to $1k, and he won't get that for it, I imagine. Might be worth watching that auction to see if he'll make a deal afterwards. Of course, the other two are no slouch, either. I'd love to have a -06, 270Win, and 7mmRem in the CLR. But that's just crazy talk...
Click to expand...


Man Dub! Those are some nice rifles right there! I like that 30-06 and 270 a bunch. Talk about a nice set up! That 270 wouldn't be safe if I hadn't of just gotten that 25-06 for the wife. Always something else it seems. I actually need to save my duckets for a scope for the 45-70. That is the only rifle right now without glass for the Fall hunting season.. I gotta make sure I make that a priority.
 
Those CLRs are priced to sell. That dubyam is a gem, thinking of avoiding opposition from the Marine wives. :twisted:
 
I had a Colt light rifle in 7 mag, it was a shooter as others have said. I had to put a heavier firing pin spring in mine, and it got a Timney trigger as well. I'd never have sold it except for the safety. It pushed into the fire position way to easy for me. Even after I had my gunsmith drill a larger detent it pushed into fire to easy. When switching shoulders carrying it slung it kept rubbing into the fire position against my pack when I carried it on my left side. The Colt's stock was cheap, but the lines were nice and it pointed very well. If I could get one with a 3 position or tang safety I'd be ordering it.
 
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