Long-time reader, first time poster here.

I have a new Forbes 24B 30-06. While I'm extremely happy with it overall so far, the bolt lift is excessively stiff, to the point that I can't cock the action without breaking my shooting stance.

I understand that the Forbes rifles are part-for-part compatible with Melvin's full customs, and there seem to be quite a few NULA owners around here, so I'm wondering if somebody would be willing to briefly outline the process for disassembling the bolt so I can clean out the cocking cam area.

Not sure about disassembly of bolt and have never had a Forbes, but my NULAs have had stiff bolt lift as you describe until the rifle is broken in and then they become slick with much easier bolt lift.

I think DMD is right. It just needs to be shot. I haven't had that problem with my ULA's, but all of them have been pre-owned. If you think there's really a problem, surely you can figure out how to unscrew the cocking piece/firing pin assy from the bolt. To check and clean and re-lube.

Just did it on my 257AI. Use a 1/16" hex wrench, stick it through the hole in the cocking piece, put a little backwards pressure on it (careful or you might break the hex), and unscrew the assembly out of the bolt.

Thanks 257heaven, that did the trick! I'm not looking for miracles, and I know it will smooth up with use, but having taken it apart now, I see lots of grit and grime that certainly aren't helping things.

Cool beans. Maybe it will help. Don't forget to lube it up before reassembly.

257, is that a 3-9x36 on your NULA? I have the same on my Forbes. Great, great piece of lightweight glass.

After a thorough cleaning and some TLC, the bolt is vastly improved. Still requires more force to cock than I'd like, but perfectly acceptable for a new rifle, and more importantly, the movement is as smooth as butter.

Thanks again for the assist!

That's actually a 3-10x42. But I have 4 of the 3-9x36 Z3's and actially prefer them over the 42mm variety. I have 4 ULA's and love them all. I have a 250AI, 257AI, 284 Win, and a 270 Wthby that is destined to become a 257 Bee. Pic is below. I find myself grabbing the 250AI (rifle on right with a 3-9x36) when I head to the deer lease.

Let us know how your Forbes rifle shoots with some range reports and I'd like to see some pics of the rifle/scope combo as well. Glad you got it smoothed up a bit.

The rifle's definitely a keeper. Overall fit and finish are great, and the action is smooth and tight. With the Z3, it balances just ahead of the action, so it's very easy to maneuver, but has enough weight out front to hold steady in less-than-ideal firing positions. Recoil feels more like a 9 lb rifle than a 6 lb one.

Here's a pic:



After breaking in the barrel, it's grouping around 1/2 MOA from the bench. More importantly, the light weight doesn't affect my ability to shoot accurately from field positions.

I think at this price point, it's the best thing going in a lightweight mountain rifle.

Yea. That's nice! I think you done good.

do you guys with z3 swaro optics find that an empty case hits the windage adjustment cap when cycling an empty round out of the chamber?
i have two models 20 rifles and cannot get it not to i changed to a early vxii leupold and it throws the emptys quite aways


gene

I don't have that problem with my Forbes, but it's also a long action. I know the NULAs have very tight tolerances, but then again, the Z3's turret caps aren't by any means large.

Have you tried thoroughly cleaning the extractor and ejector? Beyond that, I'd suggest you get in touch with Melvin and see what he has to say.

Gene

No marks on any of my windage caps. So I'm not sure whether the cases are hitting or not. But I wouldn't worry about it if I knew they were hitting. Don't really see it as a problem.