Some have mentioned long wait times for work done by New Ultra Light Arms. I'm sure it takes longer for a rifle than for repair work, but I just received a Model 28 7x61 Sharpe & Hart that Mr. Forbes rebarreled. Wait time was about three months, maybe a little less. I can't recall having a rifle rebarreled sooner than that by anyone else.

That's good news. Melvin quoted me 11 months in November. Hoping for sooner.

7x61 Sharp And Hart now there is an oldie but goodie. I had a Shultz and Larsen a long time ago in 7x61. Good little shooter can't remember if it was a model 54 or model 60. I think you can still get Norma ammo for it if you don't reload.

Agree that the 7x61 S&H has a cool factor right in there with the 300 H&H. Interesting, and delivers the goods!
lotech, congratulations on building a superb hunting tool! From an old hunters point of view, you couldn't do better.
I am a fan of M Forbes. Running a business that requires real skills is infinitely more difficult in todays world as compared to a generation or two ago.
Finding a good gunsmith, or bakery, is a real challenge in our current world. But what a treat when you find one!

fishdog52- The NULA 7x61 has been my favorite elk rifle for a good while, but I also have a fondness for my old Model 70 .300 H&H.

lotech, You clearly have outclassed me.
I recently passed on a Schultz & Larsen 7x61S&H.
It's not clear what the heck is the matter with me.

I wonder if the shorter wait time has anything to do with the release of a batch of light rifles by other manufacturers like Barrett and Kimber. I spoke to a custom gunsmith out west today and he said he's making 18oz stocks now and has built a number of rifles under 6lbs. Melvin isn't alone anymore.

Thanks, Dinny

I doubt that. Kimber, Colt Rifle, Forbes and Barrett have been hanging around or gone for some time. If you were the least bit familiar with him, you would know he is concerned about making his rifles on his schedule and not theirs.

Two different business models. One being large mass produced. The other, small batch semi-custom.

Wait till you need to buy ammo.

I can't imagine anyone with a 7x61 not loading their own. New Norma brass has not been hard to find. It can be formed from 7mm Remington Magnum and other brass, but I've never seen a need to do that. As for loaded ammo, however, it hasn't been available for a long time. A Norma rep told me several years ago that if a demand for factory ammo should ever occur (I doubt that), it would be very easy for them to manufacture it again.

RinB, I have found that, with some patience, and the good fortune to know some loonies, "rare" ammo has never been a problem. It is really interesting how much "stuff" is hoarded here and there, and how generous other shooters can be, and have been. Since I have always been a reloader, once a few cases have been accumulated.......problem solved.
I am also fortunate enough to know some extreme loonies with lathes, milling machines, and no real limits. Rational behavior is often not on the table.
I guess I should add, nothing like a good excuse to prowl backwoods gunshops!