Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Melvin Forbes upgrade to colt light rifle

I had a CLR 30-06 waiting for the upgrade. Got bored and sold it. Got a Montana 308, and tripped over an early run stainless 700 MTN in 270…..among other things. Fast forward: local shop has a CLR 30-06 on the used rack for $679. Still just doesn’t do it for me…..especially to spend $900 just to half ass a Melvin, anyway. If I can’t justify a NULA, there’s plenty of other stuff that gets me just as close as a converted CLR does…..most for less $. At least in my eyes. I always dreamed of an ULA, in my younger days. Now, an extra pound of rifle isn’t gonna be what keeps me from climbing that ridge, and I’d rather have that $ to pay for the horses to haul it anyway. LOL

3 years ago when the total cost of a used clr and the full conversion was ~$1800, it was one of the better deals going. Fast forward to now and at ~$2600, it’s still a good deal even with a ~ 40% increase - maybe not quite the value it was, but still a pretty darn good deal for a lightweight semi custom.

Two weeks ago I was quoted $1875 for a full rebuild of a Colt rifle. That included stainless barrel.

Well I only have 400 in the rifle so I think I’m going to dive in. I have a nula in 260 Remington and I like the rifle a lot. Thanks for your input.

I have one there right now. I got one that was kind of rough and I sent it in to Melvin. It was a .30-06, and I have a second CLR that is much nicer and in 30-06 as well. This one I am having converted to 257 Weatherby, with a new stainless barrel and the bolt face opened up. I was quoted a price of $900 for the basic conversion, which was needed) and $750 for a rebarrel. The only part I didnt have a price on is the price to open up the bolt face. Melvin has had the gun about a month, I suppose in another month or two it will be coming back to me.

I fully intend (at this time) to send the second one in the Melvin for the basic upgrade. I had a few fail to fires that I am sure come from a weak trigger spring. Might as well get as much of this stuff fixed while Melvin is there doing it. The quality of the stock and the replacement of lesser parts along with Melvins experience is worth $900.

Do it while you still can.

Melvin did mine. I picked it up in person. His shop is a wonder. Melvin is a fantastic character whose vision and ingenuity brought the world highly precise lightweight hunting rifles—all without CNC.

Great picture of Melvin.

I’ve talked to him many times but have never met him in person.

I’d echo your sentiments to the OP.

I’ve always thought about grabbing a NULA , Wish I had done that years ago.

The lighter weights of his rifles is well known,

How about accuracy in general?

MOA rifles, sub-MOA rifles?

Any ideas on tun around time on a new build?

Sub.

Call and ask - was over a year but things have been getting turned around fast.

Way under sub-MOA in my experience, which goes back 30 years....

my guns are to....they shoot as good as the shooter lets just put it that way

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, anyone have current contact info for Melvin?

To the OP, Colt/NULA conversion. Factory barrel. Never shot it before I sent it so no idea if it helped accuracy.
Best $$ I’ve spent with a gunsmith though, my personal experience, ymmv.

https://outkastarms.com/prices%2Foptions-1

From what I understand Melvins 2 main men are going to be doing work on pre wilson nula and CLR rifles under a new name. I’ll be sending mine in for upgrades once the seasons over.