I am considering placing an order for a Forbes rifle. Do any of you own them and what is your opinion of it after using it? Especially interesting would be your consistent size groups of either 3 or 5 shots.

If you do not want to reply here, a PM is more than welcome.

They do seem nice, just read about them over the years. As I recall they are known as being light & handy. I just ordered such a rifle, a Browning X-Bolt 'Micro-Hunter' in 7mm-08. It may not match up with the likes of a Forbes, but it should be light & handy.

I had one made several years in 340 Weatherby. It was very light, accurate, and due to the stock geometry did not recoil badly. Unfortunately, I sold it to buy something else, I don't remember what! Tolerances on the bolt were extremely close and sometimes caused me a few problems cycling in a hurry. I since have gone to bolt rifles made by Kevin Weaver. He can make whatever you want in a reasonable time frame, cost, and is very accessible.
David

I owned a NULA rifle for a brief period a while back, like 5 years ago, and for a brief period I mean a couple of hours. In short I had a lot of conversation-prior to ordering the rifle- with Mr. Forbes, we spoke at length about the scope and scope mounts on the rifle, and the bolt handle. It is a pet peeve of mine if the bolt hendle won't clear the ocular lens on the scope by enough to allow you to keep you fingers on the bolt as you cycle it. Melvin assured me this would not be a problem...
Sure enough I used the scope he recommended, a Leupold (instead of my typical Swaro glass) and 1st of all, the Leupy glass ain't even in the same league as the Swaro. Secondly, and actually probably more significant, the bolt handle only cleared the scopes ocular by about 3/100 of an inch. I had been very specific when disussing this rifle with Mr. Forbes, and his admonition of his 100% money back guarantee simply if I was not satisfied with the rifle, is the only reason I ordered it.

He was very miffed when I called back and said I did in fact want to return the rifle, unfired and as new, but he did refund my purchase price, albeit about 1 month after the rifle was received by him, as evidenced by UPS package tracking, signature confirmed.

I did feel that the rifle was of good quality, but this disregard/oversight of this important detail-to me-was disappointing, and caused me to return the rifle.

Just my experience FWIW

PS- I purchased a Weatherby ultralight to fill my lightweight rifle desires, and it has been completely satisfying. The factory stock is a nice piece, and it's design manages recoil well, it's a 270, and it is as light or lighter then the NULA was, and is very accurate. Barnes 110 gr. into small cloverleafs @ 100 YDS with regularity + it has a 60 degree bolt lift, which clears any ocular lens on the scope, and is simply much preferred by me.

The NULA and the new Forbes rifles aren't the same thing.

If it's a lightweight bolt rifle your after then I like the Kimbers. Both their Montana and walnut stocked rifles shoot well for me.

I have five of them.

I have handled a Colt Light rifle which may be similar to what your after.

If it's only group size that concerns you then perhaps a bench rest rifle is for you.

I also want my rifles to handle well and have all the features that make it superior to just a push feed.

The Forbes rifle does not have CRF or a M70 safety.



If the group size, number of shots, shot placement etc. from the above 308 Montana is not up to your demands then shop elsewhere.

To add that I have done some tuning on the 270 WSM Kimber. If you don't have the time to tune a rifle then perhaps a Forbes is for you.