I looked at a Colt Light rifle in 30-06 and as others have said it's not that light. The stock was one of those injected molded ones too that never seem to have a straight barrel channel. About the only thing I would keep on that rifle might be the action.
Since a 8.25 lb 30-06, with a scope I assume, is a about the norm for them your rifle is weighs about what most others do. My suggestion is to use it as it is if you trust it.
I happen to like the Kimbers but not to say that everyone of them on the racks is perfect. The concept of the Kimber 84's is what appeals to me. I can get most rifles going just fine with the warrantee and some judicious work. In fact this is a major appeal of rifles as far as I am concerned. Like the saying read in the foyer of a mansion. "Happiness is plenty of work and the strength to do it"
Gun trading has a cost. To me the cost is the price of admission to the fun but one has to do it slow and on their terms.
The Colt light rifle is a pretty good value in my opinion. First, they have a reputation for very good "out of the box" accuracy. Second, because of their short-lived existence, the prices tend to be discounted on the assumption that somehow the rifle is flawed. Third, dimensionally the reciever is the same size as Mel Forbes [New Ultra Light Arms] Model 24 action. Thus, in theory one can get a Mel Forbes dimensioned receiver [with comparable weight savings] at a huge discount. The tolerances may not be quite as tight as a New Ultra Light Arms produced reciever, but the tolerances on my Colt Light .270 seemed very good. The fit of the bolt in the raceway was very good.
As far as parts, I would not worry. The rifle takes a Timney trigger and NULA can supply you with a firing pin spring and probably an extractor, should you ever need one.
A couple of negatives. The synthetic stock is cheap. Although the ergonomics are good, it is heavier than optimal. If one wanted to take full advantage of the lightness of the dimensionally smaller receiver, you would want to restock the rifle. I've often wondered if one could get Mel to put one of his Kevlar/Carbon fiber stocks on the Colt light, but I have a feeling Mel might not want to do that. Another alternative would be a Brown Precision stock, but you would face the challenge of constructing a blind magazine which would entail significant fiberglass work on the stock.
Jordan
P.S. Reqarding quality control: there was a large recall on all 30-06 rifles. No other calibers were affected. I have seen several chat room posts from owners of the Colt over the years and have not heard a quality control complaint.
Posts: 3478 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 15 December 2003
I'm giving thought to a sheep hunt and possible rifle choice. So whats your thoughts on these two? I'll be doing good to scrape up the funds just to go on the hunt and don't need to buy another rifle. But at the same time I can see a need for a rifle lighter than my 8.25 pound 30-06. From the web pages I've looked at they weigh the same or almost the same, so thats a wash. The price on the Colt is about $300 to $350 less than the Kimber and can be had in 30-06 which is a plus since I already have the brass, dies, ect... Are the Colts known to be good shooters? Whats your thoughts?
Posts: 1739 | Location: alabama | Registered: 13 November 2001
if a remington is a possibilty i would just grab a used 06' mountain rifle. the kimbers are nice but the money is a bit much i think.[mho]. the colts are rare birds and offer nothing a rem or winny wouldn't have for like funds.............. woofer
Posts: 741 | Location: vermont. thanks for coming, now go home! | Registered: 05 February 2002
The Colt light rifles were a disaster and aren't made anymore. They were supposed to be a less expensive copy of the Ultra-Arms rifle (Colt bought the rights off Mel) but they were done so badly that Mel and Colt came to an agreement and Colt quit making them and Mel now makes them under the name NULA or New Ultra Light Arms.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
Just to claify a little, the UL that Colt made may or may not have had quality problems, I don't own one so can't say. But the rifles that Mel Forbes makes under the NULA banner are first rate custom rifles, and a good deal more expensive then a Kimber. I haven't heard of any problems with the UL's that Colt made, I thought it was simply another of Colt's amazing business deals (ie: let's get rid of everything that isn't a gov't contract). - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
Some of the dealers around here still have a few Colt Light Rifles in stock, and they're all 7mm Rem. Mags. For what is supposed to be a "light rifle" the Colt isn't all that light, and I don't know where you'd be able to get parts in the years to come. The Kimbers I've seen haven't exactly blown me away in terms of quality and workmanship, either.
Personally, for a light rifle I'd call Mel Forbes and get it done right the first time......
... or just grab your .30-06 and get on with the job at hand. I fully appreciate the lust for a new rifle - I'm as guilty as the next - so if that is what you want, go for it. Just don't kid yourself that you could not get the job done with your tried and true .30-06, a pound of weight more or less. Mind you, if you could talk yourself into having to bring a BACKUP rifle, then your argument would be perfect - mike
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002
In regards to the Colt Light rifle. I own one in 300 Win. and it shoots better than any gun I've ever owned! My Grandson and another friend have the same rifle and they both also shoot excellent. I bought mine with the thought of making a poor man's Ultra Light Arms! Before I started any work, I shot a 0.22" group with handloads (best ever), so I figured it was worth investing for my poor man's ULA. I first replaced the trigger and safety (both poor) with a Timney and ULA safety, then had an Answer Products slimline brake installed. Then sent rig to Lone Wolf for a one pound custom stock. The whole rig now weighs 6.5 lbs. including scope (3x9 Leupold Compact). It consistanly shoots under 1" groups with any load I've tried. I've got about $1200 in the entire rig and it recoils like a .243 with the brake! Damn nice gun and I wouldn't part with it. That said, I ran into a deal on (2) NULA rifles in 270 and 300 WSM's and bought them both!!! So much for all the money I saved!!! Obviously, the Colt is not the quality of the NULA's, but for the investment it is one fine shooting lightweight.
Jordan, Mel would be quite pleased to sell you a drop-in ULA stock for a Colt for $450.00. He inventories them in black or if you're not in a hurry you can get the color and LOP of your choice for the same price. It will reduce the weight of the rifle substantially. About the only difference between the Colts and his rifle are the stock and trigger. Allen, I don't think support is an issue as long as Mel is in business.
I spoke with him at length about the rifle and Colt and other than Colt's decisions about the trigger and stock he was very positive about the rifles and their quality.
Posts: 11142 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003
Quote: ... I can see a need for a rifle lighter than my 8.25 pound 30-06. ...
Hey Mark, I've got a good many M7s and they are all accurate and light. Woofer's suggestion on the used Mountain Rifle is also a fine idea.
One other thing you might want to consider is just sending your 30-06 out for a "weight reduction". I've heard(but never handled one) that Lex Weiberneck(help with the spelling please) at Rifles, Inc. is quite good at taking an existing rifle and lowering the weight substantionally while maintaining or improving the accuracy.
I do know "John Lewis" could do it too and his work is some of the very best available if you are interested in having an "accurate" hunting rifle. And John dosen't charge you the cost of a new 4x4 to do it either.
How come you aren't going with a lightened 6.5x55 since you seem to like them?
Posts: 9920 | Location: Carolinas, USA | Registered: 22 April 2001
Quote: How come you aren't going with a lightened 6.5x55 since you seem to like them?
Actually, I give up on the 6.5 about two years ago and bought me a 30-06 and my wife a .270 , I try not to own a tool I don't use or need, and sold the 6.5s. The .270 and 30-06 are just easier to work with and reload for. We've had three 6.5s and when I figured out we where only getting 2700fps, out of a load that was 2 grains over book max, it was time for them to go. Plus with with a trip to Africa, a Moose and Elk hunt on the menu a 30-06 seemed like a better choice.
Posts: 1739 | Location: alabama | Registered: 13 November 2001
, I try not to own a tool I don't use or need, and sold the 6.5s. The .270 and 30-06 are just easier to work with and reload for. We've had three 6.5s and when I figured out we where only getting 2700fps, out of a load that was 2 grains over book max, it was time for them to go. Plus with with a trip to Africa, a Moose and Elk hunt on the menu a 30-06 seemed like a better choice.
