Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Anyone have a Forbes rifle?

Yep, glad we've got choices. I think the NULA grip is even more closed than the Classic and Mt Rifle.

I've been using my 30-06 for about a month now. I ordered it back in February, was originally told it would arrive in April, wound up receiving it in August, but with a rear scope ring that didn't mate perfectly with the action. Once Forbes identified the issue, they sent me a new set of rings overnight at no charge. All things considered, it was well worth the wait.

The overall fit and finish are excellent. Aside from needing a thorough cleaning, I can't find much fault with it. The stock is just incredible - light as a feather, solid as granite.

I topped mine with a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36, which puts the balance point a hair in front of the action. Maneuverability is great, but there's enough weight out front to keep it steady (e.g., when shooting offhand).

The single stage trigger has no discernible creep, and a nice crisp break. I haven't gauged it, but I'd guess mine breaks right around 2 lb.

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

My only gripes at this point would be that the bolt lift was very stiff and gritty out of the box (greatly improved by cleaning out the bolt body and polishing the cocking cam surfaces), and the cutaway milled into the stock for the safety lever seems like a great place for junk to get into the trigger assembly.

I definitely feel like I got my money's worth.

Nice. Can't wait to grab an '06.

Where is the 30-06 you passed on ddj?

Catching up on the Forbes 24B thread!

Has anyone purchased a 25-06 yet? Inquiring minds need to know!!!

Put in an inquiry with my local shop. Looking into a all stainless 270.

Saw a 270 at the Scheels in Lincoln, looked nice enough I suppose.

I have a Forbes in 30-06. I also own a NULA.

The fit and finish on the Forbes is excellent. So far I have fired less than 60 rounds on the Forbes, all factory loads. Fusion 180, Norma Oryx 180, and Hornady Superformance 165 SST. The Hornady load is producing confidence inspiring groups approaching well under .75 MOA. The Hornady was the last tried after the others had cleared the "new" out of the barrel, so they may shoot just as well now.

I believe the Melvin Forbes stock design is as close to perfection for off-hand and field position shooting as I have found. The more closed/vertical grip facilitates a firm, in-line seat of the gun to the shoulder and promote a trigger pull and follow through that keep the gun "on axis". To shoot a light rifle well you really need to get a hold of it, and this stock is perfect for that.

I just today saw one in Scheel's in Billings, MT. Give them a call and ask for Kurt or Darrel.

Anyone have an idea or seen anything in writing about when they will be released in SA calibers. I did see they were adding a 280 and 35 whelen but they are not yet on the order form

http://www.forbesriflellc.com/FAQs.aspx

The FAQ states:

"When will short action rifles be available?

Short action, Model 20B rifles will be available, however the timeframe and calibers are not yet determined."


Stainless was listed as by the end of the year. It seems like they are really doing things right.

Cant seem to find them in Canada yet. Heard some good things about the Forbes rifle, will likely get one imported in the new year if I can find one.

Was told the all stainless rifles don't be around until 2014.

I just shot the Forbes .30-06 test-rifle I was sent for the first time yesterday afternoon. I didn't bother working up a load, just started with a load my NULA .30-06 shoots really well, the 185-grain Berger Hunting VLD and 58.0 grains of Ramshot Hunter. Three 3-shot groups at 100 yards averaged .72 inch, a little bigger than the load averages in the NULA but not by much. And no, I didn't bother breaking in the barrel....

So far it looks to be just about identical to my NULA, except the barrel contour is very slightly larger. The finish and function is just as good.

Good info. Thanks for the update. Those are really nice rifles...

The grip is my dislike also.

Thanks MD, does your Forbes 06 have a SS or chromoly barrel?

Also, does the Forbes magazine enable seating Bergers out to the lands?

Chrome-moly, and yes, the magazine is long enough to seat Berger VLD's out to the lands.

Many thanks MD, you just helped sell a Forbes 30/06

Muledeer,
I have a Forbes rifle. Well pleased. My questions regards the Shaw barrel. You say its now comparable to the NULA Douglas barrel. In a Field & Stream article Mr. Petzal says "pretty rough and collects copper very quickly" and "clean with vigah, ----quickly cease to shoot well." Do you agree with that? I'd appreciate your comments regarding their roughness and need to be cleaned.
Thanks.