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.

I did'nt weigh mine before sending it to Mr. Forbes for the stock, bedding, trigger, follower upgrade, but my 7mm weighs in at ~6#14oz. with nylon sling and Burris Short Mag scope... unloaded. Thats about 14oz. heavier than my NULA M20 but you're not really comparing apples with apples. The CLR has the equivalent of a NULA M28 action and a 24" ~ #2 contour barrel. It balances beautifully! However, if you are stuck on the lightest, you can do better with the NULA in a non-magnum short action cartridge with a shorter #1 contour barrel. Can't really go wrong with either... just depends how thick your wallet is and what you really want out of your rifle!!! Edited to add: It's always been this way and will be in the future... some of us just have to spin our wheels a little more than others before we figure it out!

I normally want bbls 23" or shorter, for MY style of hunting, yet my CLR 7RM w/24 felt very good, light in my hands AND balanced, so the taper was right for my taste for being a 24 incher.

I recently looked at a 270 Win in a CLR and had the seller weigh it as is (no scope, NIB) - it came in at 6 lbs 10 oz.

I picked one up in -06 for $450 to be reborn as a 338-06 someday. 7lb 2 oz with scope. Scoped it just in case I get a hankering to shoot it. Like everyone says restocked and a better trigger and you have a fine rig.

Has anyone swapped a Timney into their CLR? Any tricks?

I read here on the forum that the CLR would accept a Remington trigger. I installed a stainless Remington trigger I had, but when I put the action back in the stock, it would not fit because the trigger was riding on the trigger guard. I saw no quick fix for that so I cut 1 coil off the original trigger and reassembled. The trigger breaks at 2lbs but has considerable over-travel. The CLR is still one of my favorite rifles and has brought the deer meat home 4 times. Did I do something wrong on the Rem trigger installation?

I have two, one a 30-06 and the other a 270. Both unfired
Sent the 30-06 to Melvin last year and had him work his magic, ULA stock and metal trigger guard, Timney trigger. A little over five hundred, total. 270 in limbo now as whether or not to get the upgrade.
Not sure if I'll be using these or not due to shoulder ailment and increased recoil intolerance.

geo

What scope mounts fit the CLR? The design of the receiver leads me to think that a Rem.700 mount may fit, but maybe not.

They're one of a kind I think. Get them from Melvin...I think Talley made them at one time, probably still do, but no longer sell them to the public.

Thanks.