What is a Colt Light Rifle? anybody have one?, shot one?, seen one? Played with one?
A buddy sez he has found one in 30'06 and wanted to know what I knew about them...and drew a total blank. Any info, pro's & con's appreciated.
Ron

I have one and run with buddies that own another 7 or 8 between them. They were a mass produced version of Mel Forbes' Ultra Light Rifle that Colt never released for retail. About 4000 were made. They were supposed to retail around $800.

If you can get one under $450, jump on it. Great rifles for the money. Some of the first-run 30-06 and 270s were recalled for firing pin issues so you need to know if it was run back through the factory.

Lastly, Mel makes a drop-in ULA stock to fit that is a lot better than the factory injection molded as far as feel and pointability. I bought one and never looked back. However, every one of the factory guns we have has shot extremely well with the factory stock. I suppose if they were still in production you might assume I sell them, LOL. I just think they are a lot of gun for the money. One other good thing: they take Remington triggers. One other bad thing: they use a pretty unique one piece ring-base assembly so you won't find a lot of other options.

I have 2, one in 30-06 and the other in 7 Mag. Tigger pretty much listed the improvements available i.e. better stock and trigger. Some scopes with very large rear bells won't fit the provided rings (they are exactly like Talley Lightweights - probably are talley lightweights that say Colt).
Both of mine shoot quite well indeed. If you find one in the $500 range I think they would be a good rifle for the money..........DJ

Yeah, I forgot that part where the bolt handle hits a big ocular bell, too. A 3-9 Conquest is about as big as it can handle on the back-end of a scope.

What are the issues with the trigger...just cheap non adjustable and lawyerized like a Ruger? fixable like a Ruger/ABolt with a 'smiths tune job/spring kit or really needs to be replaced? I've got a great gunsmith, Doc's in Carrollton TX who builds lots of high dollar full customs... so if that's all there is then it is not a big deal and doable locally here. The stock that I hear ??'s about on here and "the other" website is another question...but there does seem to be a friendly positive reputation for this failed effort from Colt that is intrigueing. NULA's reputation is sterling...and if this is a cheaper but serviceable copy then I think my buddy and I may be in the market for a couple of these things.
Any caliber better than another...I like 270's & 300WMg's, buddy likes '06's ...but a 7RMg/300WMg could be scary recoilwise if the gun really is in the NULA/ BigSky weight range.

I don't think I've seen an actual weight posted anywhere though...what do they really weigh? How important is it to buy a NIB vs used...any warranty left anywhere? I can't imagine Colt or Melvin would honor one...but it good to know that Melvin can/will work with CLR owners for parts.
Bottom line question is this...do I/we buy a Tikka T3 ...or a CLR for a 6lb nekkid shooter? I just have trouble getting my mind around the T3's regardless of grade plastic bottom and shroud.
Thanks for all the insight.
Ron

My trigger is fine as-is. It is just more complicated than necessary. I was just commenting that any Remington trigger would work, just like ULA.

I hear that Tikkas are fine rifles but never held or shot one. My 300 Win CLR is 6.8 lbs scoped, loaded with 3 rounds and in the ULA stock. I think the ULA stock is several ounces lighter than factory.

Magnums hold 2 down, standard hold 3 down. I know this sounds all wrong but mine is the softest shooting 300 magnum I've ever owned. I had a Weatherby lightweight in 300 Wby and it kicked the snot outta me. I guess Mel just knows his stock geometry.

My 7 Mag isn't at all unpleasant too shoot. Again a decent recoil pad and good stock design does wonders for felt recoil. I wouldn't hesitate at all to pick up a 300 Win Mag in a Colt Light Rifle....................DJ

Call Mel Forbes. He'll tell you the good and the bad.

The one I looked at was not all that light. The stock seemed really cheap.

I would not bother with one.

The stock is cheap. Injection molded like the ADL, Savage and others (but the shoot good too). Heavy, also. That's why I invested in a drop-in ULA stock that Forbes makes especially to fit the Colt. Makes it a whole 'nother class of rifle, competitve with the old ULA for under $1000.

What is the twist on the 24" 30-06 barrel?

How much do they weigh?

How much does the Forbes drop in stock cost?

Forbes gets $450 for his drop-in. he told me when I bought mine that he is averaging 2-3 a month so he keeps the basic black with 13.5 LOP on the shelf. He made mine custom LOP and any NULA paint scheme I wanted for the same price; I just had to wait a little longer for it.

Like I said above: with the ULA stock, a Leupold V-II 3-9, 3 rounds of 300 Win Mag and a light weight nylon sling mine weighs 6.8 lbs.

I don't the rate of twist.

Verhoositz,

Here is my take on the Colt Light Rifle.

Do your self a favor and pass on the CLR. For the money you could get one hell of a lot nicer rifle.

The CLR is a tinny light duty rifle that I wouldn't expect to get any hard service out of. Much less count on the thing to hold together on anything approaching a real hunt in hard conditions.

The fit and finish on the whole rifle is marginal at best. The mechanics of the thing are just plain old piss poor.

The two that I have messed with were loose rifles. One had feeding problems and ejection problems the other had feeding problems. Accuracy was marginal, both were about 2" rifles at 100 yards. I wouldn't own one.

It is in the same category as a Remington 710.

Just my honest, hard no BS thoughts on the CLR.

Yeah I think I'm out on the Colt. I'll look/see what my buddy does if he follows up on the '06 he was looking at/talking about and go from there. If I wanted to put $1k in the gun - gun + melvins stock and maybe a trigger - I'd prolly go get a Kimber and settle for that...but coin of the realm is thin this year so I have to be really careful about sneakin' new toys in the house. Got some more medical crap to get behind before I can go pull a trigger anyway...hope to be in shooting shape by Turkey Day after a couple carvings of my own next month have a chance to heal up past the proud flesh stage.
Ron