Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Forbes Rifles?

Anybody have first hand experience with the Forbes? I was thinking I'd be buying a Kimber Montana in July but the Forbes has my attention (even though I can't really rationalize the additional expense). Thoughts?

Hunting rifles forum, look there.

Yeah, I've seen some threads over there. I just thought I'd post here as well because I spend more time in this forum and there are guys here whose opinions I value more.

If you want to fingerbang a 84M Montana in 308, and even shoot it, drive your ass 2 hours north some weekend I'm not working.



That reminds me, I need to renew my range membership.

Yeah I have personal experience....I fiddled with one at the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery Maine last week

I was impressed,even tho I am not a PF,no-bottom-metal kinda guy...it seemed very well built and nicely finished,smooth action,wonderful stock, etc.

I'm a bit tempted and if it came in like a 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5/284 I could get into that...I think they are pretty nice.

Bob - Forbes is going to be splitting the difference by offering their Model 24B in 6.5x55.

Thanks for the offer Dan, I may just have to take you up on that.

RR: A 6.5x55 would be a pretty neat rifle!

I have a couple and posted quite a few targets and some narrative. Just the lowly 30-06, but it's my new backpack rifle.

I have a 6.5x55 on order. Hoping it arrives soon. I'll post an update when I get my grubby paws on it...

I have a Forbes .270 Win and have just started shooting it. So far it is looking good. I have another Win .270 model 70 classic in a McMillan stock which is quite a bit heavier. I formerly had a NULA in 7mm-08.

The Forbes is the real deal but you can cobble together a similar weight rifle for less money IME if you start with a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle and put it in a Bansner stock.

The Forbes, the Rem 700 Mountain Rifle and the Win 70 Classic all shoot similarly but the first two are at least a pound less than the Win 70 classic in the McMillan stock.

To be fair, the mountain rifle and the Forbes have a 22" barrel and the Win 70 has a 24" barrel.

The Forbes are very good rifles.

John Barsness did a review of the Forbes M24 factory rifle in the May 2013 issue of Guns magazine.

I have a Forbes 24 in 270 and it is a shooter and I also have a few Montanas. I like the feel of the Forbes but it is a little heavier, and slightly front-heavy but I like it. However, the Montana fits me better, the stock comb is very straight, which provides a better sight picture and cheek weld, at least for me. The Forbes comb is lower. The Montana is a little harder to shoot with field conditions due to its light weight. For backpack hunting, the Montana is hard to beat but you will have to "learn" how to shoot the rifle. With the Forbes, with the extra weight, your technique is not as critical.

With these feathery rifles, I have to back off on the trigger pull to get them to shoot; a 5# trigger on a 5# rifle doesn't work. The Forbes can be backed down, at least on mine, to a minimum slightly below 2#, which is nice. I prefer the Montana trigger, which I set at 1# 4oz. I can shoot it well at that weight and I have found it safe for backpack hunting. I can't make the trigger trip by dropping the rifle. I love the Kimber triggers.

They are both great rifles, the Forbes is a little heavier, but easier to shoot. If you are counting ounces, and can get comfortable shooting it, the Montana is hard to beat IMO.