I've got a NIB CLR in '06, waiting to go to Melvin for the 'treatment' as soon as I get back to the world. I'm debating leaving it in '06, or going down bore to something that might be more pleasant in a light long action....such as 270, 6.5-06 or swede, or even 25-06 (meh)....I've got no real dog in which is what, as I have the other bored 6.5/308) covered in short and long action rifles. Hell, I guess I could even go 280 or AI, but not sure that it or the 270 would be much different on recoil or practical use. Could always leave it for now and rebarrel if I don't like it in '06. I just need input/ideas for mulling over what I might could have it turned into or left alone?

Thanks

I've talked to Mr. Forbes about doing a NULA/CLR hybrid a couple of different times. He told me that when he was working with Colt, he insisted that they didn't cut any corners on the actions or barrels and since he speaks well of them I'll take his word for it. The triggers and stocks seem to be where Colt cut costs, and Mr. Forbes will replace the trigger and stock on a CLR for around $600 the last time I asked.

I currently have five CLRs; 270 (x1), 7mm Rem Mag (x1), and 30-06 (x3). I don't find the stocks or triggers to be particularly objectionable, so I haven't opted to spend the $$ on the NULA/CLR hybrid upgrades. The one CLR that I have shot the most is the 270 with somewhere between 200 and 300 rounds fired by me. It is very accurate with whatever factory ammo that I've fired from it and since factory ammo meets all of my needs in the 270, so I haven't bothered to reload for this CLR or its Remington 760 companion. Right now, my "go to" load is the 130 grain Power Max Bonded from Winchester/Olin.

Thanks 260... good feedback. I do intend to at least dial in the rifle when I get back before sending it to Melvin, as I had discussed with him. It might make some decisions for me. If it's really accurate and likeable, I may leave it. I'm too stretched to get a true NULA for now, but I've wanted an ULA/NULA for 30 years, I guess. This will probably have to scratch that itch. I've got enough new 6.5, 30, and 35 stuff to play with all summer once I get back. LOL

If you have all of the standard U.S. chamberings covered, maybe 7x57 ? There is a board member here who is very pleased with his 7x57 that was reworked by Mr. Forbes. I will let him speak up.

Keep it 30-06. Mine shoots lights out. Most accurate centerfire I own. Melvin's stock, trigger, TG, follower, jeweled the bolt and full length bedded.
Best money I ever spent on a rifle.

If Colt had only produced some short actions...... I bought 2 for $500 EA. Sold one, wish I'd kept it for a 6 or 6.5/06 or a 280AI

Sent one to Extreme Rifleworks a few years ago, Rick put a Remington 700 trigger on it, installed BDL bottom metal, installed a MPI stock and rechambered it to 30-06 IMP


Wish I still had it!!

Leave it 06 and load it down a bit to comfort levels and when you hunt and need more zip you can do that too and that one shot won't even be remembered

Nothing wrong with the 30 cal, but I did mine in 6.5



That is a 24" Benchmark barrel. The next one I may let Melvin do everything including the barrel.

Melvin has my 7mm RM. It's in for a stock, trigger, follower. The current cost for this is more like $850 with return shipping. I can post exact figures when, I get the bill. Personally, in the factory CLR stock and fitted with the factory trigger, I had no interest in using the rifle. I bought it with the intention of sending it off for upgrading. Melvin speaks highly of the original CLR barrels, stating that insisted on all new tooling. Mine will remain a 7mm RM. If it were me, I'd send it off NIB, request that the barrel be inspected. Upon a positive evaluation, I'd retain the the original barrel and chambering, while upgrading the stock, trigger, and follower. If I had lingering concerns, I'd request that the rifle be test fired and verified prior to being returned. Lead times are several months. I'd get in line sooner than later. Melvin is fantastic and won't be doing this forever.

Good food for thought on all of it. I did have a 7x57. I also went through one of those spells where I decided I was only going to keep 3 main bores around and bullets on the shelf for lunch adding 6mm, 30, and 35.....I've gotten over that self limitation a bit. LOL

....and though I'm not involved with the creedmoor koolaid aspect of it, 6.5s in general have my interest over the 7mm.

Who? Me?,

Well, I do have a 7x57 CLR/NULA that started life as a CLR in 270 Win.

I like it a lot. I did shoot the 270 in its original form and it was quite accurate, but I had a bug up my a.. for a 7x57, so I did it. I am not sorry.

donsm70

if you always wanted a ula and cant afford one then send yours off Melvin wont be doing this forever....

This isn't in response to anybody's post, but there is currently, as of 04/09/17, a CLR in 30-06 with a Nikon 5.5-16.5x44 installed on GB without any bids that looks like a pretty good deal if you could flip the scope.

I went with just the stock and springs ULA upgrade. I may add a trigger tech trigger at some point. Factory barrel is plenty accurate. This one is a 270. If anything the felt recoil is less with the ULA stock but not a big change.

If I were to do another I would think about a .257 Weatherby to take advantage of the M24 size action, although I would start with a magnum bolt face to avoid that expense if possible.

A NULA/CLR in 30-06 would be a great all rounder. The 130 grain Barnes kicks about like a 270 which it should. If it shoots and it should I would go that route. I didn't do this but the Forbes full length bedding is part of why the ULA shoots so well and doesn't vary with different rests, amounts of sling tension and bullet changes as other light rifles. The bedding, stiffer stock and the tight tolerances make the package.

Not necessarily. I have had ULA and NULA and this 7x57 CLR/NULA is the one I chose to keep.

Just sayin'

donsm70

I would keep it 30-06.
I have 6.5-06, 30-06, 30-06 AI, 7 mag, 300 win, 338-06, & 375 ruger all built off CLR with Melvin doing all the goodies. The 30-06, 7 mag, 300 mag are all factory barrel guns and 1/2" or better. I find myself grabbing the 30-06 more than any other. I have a extra CLR in 30-06 if anyone is interested I am out of things I want to build.

Why not a 240wby.... start hunting ground squirrels to what ever you want? Sure barrel life will suck.... But the fun won't! I'd dub it the Ruckus Rifle

This or a 6mm-06 would be a great choice for a CLR. Also the 6mmAI gets close velocity wise with a little longer barrel life but the brass is not as available. You can usually find .257 Nosler to work with but not cheap.

A big six with a 1 in 8 twist would let you play with a lot of different bullets from 55 to 115 grain although it may splatter the light ones at 4,000+ fps. A 5R barrel may be easier on the bullets than a 3 groove one, don't know for sure though.

Have no real reason to go way overbore or Max out the case...Though it might be fun. I'm more into efficiency, when I can get it.

I was thinking that CLRs rebarreled to 256 Newton and 338-06 to go with one of the 30-06s but, in the spirit of practicality, I hardly shoot the 256 Newtons and 338-06 that I already have, so why duplicate what I'm not currently using.

My other choices would be a 6.5-06AI or a 280AI since you have the long action and if starting from scratch might as well go AI from the start. Both of these come close to equaling the 30-06 in versatility with slightly less recoil and tolerable barrel life.

Been down that road. After talking to Melvin just kept the 30-06 barrel. I have been happy with the accuracy. Used it on two elk hunts and it was great to carry and shot. Could clean out my safe and just keep it. Thinking about a NULA in 7mm-08 now...

15 Years ago I went on a CLR bender... ended up with two 30-06's, one .270 Win. & a .300 WM.

Never did much with the .270 so can not speak much for accuracy, But one of the 30-06's and the 300 WM were sub MOA... like in the 0.75" - 0.85" area, the other '06 was an MOA shooter. This was with several loads/bullets.

So if a 30-06 is something You would be happy with then by all means shoot it before sending it off.

The factory stocks weigh the same as any factory plastic stock 32 - 34 ounces.


Jerry