Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters $750 used colt light rifle a viable "poor man's NULA?

A Kimber montana has been tempting me for a light rifle, but it appears Colt light rifles are available for $750 and less.

If the Colt is anywhere close to a NULA in quality and weight/balance it seems like it would be a viable alternative?

Do they balance like a NULA?

Its a big game rifle so I dont need it to shoot like a NULA,but if weight and balance are the same, I'm tempted.

Dumb idea?
If so why?

I know the triggers are different, but is the Colt trigger serviceable?

Do the stock dimensions handle recoil as well as a NULA?

The biggest wild card may be the barrel. Any experiences?

You should be able to get one for closer to $500 than $750. I have 2 both are very accurate - sub-MOA or better 3 shot groups. The trigger is mediocre but supposedly can be exchanged for remington pattern triggers - I'm going to try this myself.

The stocks are injection molded decent but nothing to write home about. Supposedly Mel Forbes will restock them with one of his lw stocks for 4-500 IIRC.

I think they are very good rifles for $500 and restocked and retriggered should be very nice rifles indeed for 1/2 the price of a new NULA................................DJ

what do yours weigh?

What DJ said, had 2 in 7RM, bought sold but had a chance to inspect build quality, the action IMHO is much better than a REM 700, even though similar. IIRC the extractor seemed beefier. Trigger did have alot of creep, never tried adjusting, but likely if it were me, I'd replace it pronto. Stock change would be optional, and likely a good idea.

The bbl likely is not what a ULA/NULA would be in quality, yet all reports, they are often/usually sub MOA, SO.....yes, a good value/option.

If they were mfg. in SHORT Actions, I'd likely own a couple...

I have 2, a 270 & a 300WM. Tight chambers, very good barrels, and accurate with a wide variety of loads. Stock is tupperware, but serviceable.
Triggers takes some getting used to, but not as bad as many other rifles. As mentioned before, CLR's routinely turn in MOA groups. How bad can they be? Only change I have made to mine are new recoil pads and painted the stocks.
Mel Forbes was involved with the design & specifications of these rifles, but he lost the battle with Colt bean counters over the stocks.
Contrary to what was mentioned above, the barrels are better than very good.
That said, NULA's are superb rifles..... tho' most have ugly paint jobs on the stock!

I've got a 30/06 Colt Light Rifla and am very well pleased with the accuracy. The trigger isn't great and the stock is just another butt ugly black plastic stock (if it ain't good grade wood, it's ugly). Got a 2x7 Leupold and it makes a good rainy day combo.

I have one in 7 mag that shoots well...mine has a good trigger...and I could like it a lot except that it weighs nearly a pound more than advertised. It ain't a NULA but Forbes will upgrade components to make it more NULAish if you like. I got mine for less than 500 bucks, and use it as a beater/loaner mostly.

I haven't seen any lately, but I bought the last two I found in a local shop for $500 each (list was $750 IIRC), and used them as drawing prizes in an SCI dinner. I put them between NULA on the top and factory on the bottom of the range for quality.

The fixes that Melvin will do are well worth the cost to me

If you want to slide into a NULA, watch the auction sites for a used rifle. They sell at prices above the common herd, and that usually slows down bidding. Of course you take pot luck, but NULAs are great rifles in my experience.

jim

I remember several years ago CDNN had these for like $350 or so on close out. Should have bought a couple

The reason why I get the CDNN catalog...jim

I was not too lucky in the accuracy department. My Colt can only deliver 4" groups at 100 yards, even after a llot of load development.

djs,

Is it one of the magnum cartridges?...jim

I bought a CLR in 30-06 and just got sent to Melvin for upgrades in trigger, saftey and stock. When done I will have less than $1200 in the gun. I'll post a report when it's done but don't hold your breath. I ordered a NULA 22 last Jan and Melvin called on Friday that he was sighting it in today and I would hope to have it next week. For me good work and a good gun are worth the wait.


ddj

I had a 270 that was also a "solid" 4moa rifle. Had I known Forbes would rebarrel and stock them, I'd have my LW 280 Ackley now.

30-06 - I'm a sucker for a 30-06.

I just learned from the above that Melvin Forbes will work on them - Thank God! Now I need to start saving my nickles and dimes!

i looked at one once, I wouldn't buy the thing. Too heavy and its a "so what". If you want a NULA buy one, if you want a heavier rifle there are better out there.

I remember getting the CDNN catalogue and these were the 350.00 range and I thought but didnt act.

Have a CLR in .270 Win. Absolutely no complaints...first shot accuracy is great and easily puts 3 into an inch or less, day in and day out....stuck a 4200 Rainguard on it and it's my foul weather PA deer rifle....best $400 rifle out there, IMO..

This is what I'm wondering.
What are real world weights

And I agree, if it dont weigh and balance like a NULA I'd just as soon keep my Mod 70.