I created a thread in the hunting rifles forum a short while back with some questions I had prior to ordering my NULA. Anyone who has worked with Melvin to order a NULA knows he's reluctant to take down paint info at the time of the initial order, preferring to give the customer some time to think about it while he works through his orders.

I wanted to invite pics of NULAs (or other custom paint work) for ideas on what to have Melvin do on my rifle. I'm leaning toward his classic woodland camo stripe pattern but would love to see what others have done.

There are a number of older threads where this question has been asked previously but it seems most photos no longer load.

Thanks in advance, can't wait to see what you all have chosen!

Silver web on black.

Very nice, sir. Thank you for posting!

I pm’ed you a couple weeks ago.

Thank you Jack for sending your message and sorry I missed it. No expert with these forums!

pm me, i have 14 or 15 ula,nulas on hand i can get you pics of

Pm sent

My favorite is Sakohunter264's .270 Weatherby.

That's a very nice paint job - is that a regular scheme Melvin does or is it something you designed yourself? If it is your design, how did you go about clarifying what you wanted?

It was my rifle at the time before Sako owned it. I bought it used and somebody had floated the barrel and painted it. I sent it back for updating and Melvin told me something like, "we'll do a paint job that you'll like." That's what came back. It reminds me of a copperhead snake in person and in a good way. Many do great with NULA stocks but I struggle with them. Otherwise, I would've never sold that rifle. It's beautiful and accurate.

Thanks for the info, I haven't talked with Melvin about paint yet and appreciate the ideas and examples I've seen so far. I'd like to get a good handle on what I want and what Melvin will need before calling and taking up his time.

I’m partial to the “fern camo” or “leaf camo” that Melvin does. Have owned a couple with that pattern and they look both unique and functional. You can see the fern pattern in these pics taken from the picture gallery here.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/15149528#Post15149528

Forbes 24B LH redo by Melvin 280AI

It will be one of my lifes regrets, not having one of Mr. Forbes Rifles. To me a .308 Win. NULA Model 20 would be perfection - in the classic Forbes tiger stripe color pattern.



But, as Mr. Forbes would certainly object to a 18" barrel threaded for a suppressor, my hopes slink away and linger on a Kimber Adirondack...

:-)

My absolute favorite NULA paint.

My vote is for the fern pattern.

I like the Fern and also the Maple Leaf patterns.

Poconojack-
You hit the nail on the head!!! Classic ULA/NULA tiger stripe!!!

Some great looking NULAs here, thanks to everyone who has posted. I've also kind of been leaning toward the green stripe pattern (woodland camo). I like how it blends in without looking too much like camo. I was thinking of possibly changing some colors to make it blend better in high desert PJ.

The fern, oak leaf and maple leaf patterns are really nice too. Whoever is painting stocks at NULA is doing a great job of blending and fading color on those.

Sakohunter264: how long have you had your woodland stripe ULA? Since 2013? I've seen some variation in how this is done - sometimes wide stripes, sometimes narrow and yours seems to be somewhere in between. Often the green stripes are wider than the black and tan but yours appear to be pretty even in width.

Think my fern pattern was done outside of NULA Melvin was waiting on paint job on mine and he was done with metal work. He said Covid was slowing things down.

Probably not too many businesses not having staffing problems through this mess but it looks like Melvin made sure he got your gun to the right person to do the paint work.

If I was to ever own a NULA it would be a tiger stripe scheme of some sort. 'Twould love one in either 6.5X284 or 284 Win. Would cover most all the bases I'd need covered. Right now I make due with a Tikka for the same purpose. Maybe someday after I have the boys completely outfitted.

For a Colt Light rifle we had it re-done with the camo with webbing style on the web page, but I sent paint chip samples of more arid camouflage colors and it came back great. When they first finished it it was black by mistake. Melvin would not send it to me as is, he had all the paint stripped and done over again with the requested finish. Sorry I don't do the photo thing.

Sako hunter what caliber and contour on your green tiger stripe rifle? Do you shout the ULA more than your Dakotas?
Thanks in advance

My 308 is in black but will have to be repainted when I send it to fix the LOP. I midgetize all my guns and like good camo. The fern camo looks good to me. But any good camo should help the gun disappear without looking like a dark blob at distance. The basic stripes seem like they would be quite effective. Be Well, RZ.

Not a NULA but Rifles Inc’s lightweight. Second paint job by Eddie Fosnaugh from MI.. 284 Win; 6x42 with LRD.

Not original to Rifles Inc. is the PTG (Pacific Tool and Gauge) bolt.

Brian,
I can answer part of that question as Mr. Sakohunter was kind enough to sell this rifle to me. The rifle is in 257 Weatherby and has a #2 contour 24” barrel. I was thinking about changing the stock colors to the camo fern pattern, but after receiving the rifle I have to say that the classic ULA/NULA stripe pattern looks waaaay better in person and will definitely be staying on this rifle.

I also like Melvin's signature slanted stripes pattern. It's part of the ULA mystique.

Thanks for the posts everyone. I'm also partial to the angled stripe pattern Melvin uses but am thinking of changing colors from his classic green (he calls it woodland) to something similar to the colors George has on his Rifles Inc above. The tan and brown are just about what I was thinking but may change the green to something more like sage. Not sure how Melvin wants to proceed but it's always fun chatting with him anyway.

Just out of curiosity, George, what's the reason you set your shooting bench up so close to the concrete culvert?

It’s not mine. It’s a public range that was funded by the DNR about 30 min from me. It’s a terrible design for working with a chronograph unless it’s of the Magnetospeed chrono- type..and just generally. The sound amplification is awful requiring in the ears protectors and muffs.

The wood is so rough I have to wear elbow pads to protect my elbows under recoil. And, I only go on weekdays.

And it seems nobody picks anything up so there is generally all kinds of trash around.

ETA: I guess the tiles were placed with good motives though as I can only presume they thought it was a safer design; however, I think it’s more dangerous as you can only see through the tile directly in front of you.

Go to the paint section and collect the chip samples of the ones you like and send them to NULA. Melvin will not work from photos. Why your at it get two samples of each, I had to do it twice as the first ones got misplaced.

I mis-spoke above but it has been too long to edit. My 308 NULA is in the fern camo. I will go back with that when Melvin sets the LOP shorter. Be Well, RZ.

It sure is hard to find a good range - hard to find one that's been designed well, maintained well and visited by people who clean up after themselves and take care of the facility. I'm lucky to be a member of the range I am, and some of you may have visited it if you've ever been to the SHOT show range days. I joined back in 2007, then left town for a year and re-joined. Good thing I joined when I did because there haven't been open memberships available to the public now for a few years.

George, how would you say your Rifles Inc compares with a NULA in weight, balance and ergos? Built on a Rem. 7 or 700?

Good tip on getting multiple paint chips from the hardware store, Tejano. I was thinking of doing the same just in case I ever need to have it re-painted down the road sometime. Maybe I'll triple up on the chips while I'm at it. I called Melvin earlier this week and it's exactly what he recommended.

tag

Got a call from Melvin yesterday, should be shipping today. Will post pics soon!

curious when you ordered yours

Was late July or early August last year.

Maybe I missed it but what color scheme did you decide on? Looking forward to pictures and range reports.....

Oh the suspense........

I like KK Alaska's Stock paint job here.....the one with the stripes looks like something Big Schtick would do with his daughters nail polish...

Also Kingston's paint job on his rifle.

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder... and you gents definitely are seeing something I ain't...

apologies in advance If I stepped on anyone's toes here this morning...

I got my gun back in July but ended up sending it in to have a few minor cosmetic issues with the action touched up, had it repainted while it was there. The original paint job just came out too light, was entirely my fault as Melvin's painter pretty much exactly followed the paint chips I sent in. Love how it turned out.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/16555015#Post16555015

Which chambering did you go with?

7mm-08, but considered 284 as well. When I placed my order Hornady 284 brass was available, as were dies. But both are hard to come by now.

Always been one of the best paint schemes posted on 24hr. Member Skane has rifle similar and one of my favorites.

I agree - Melvin's classic striped pattern, which he calls woodland camo, is excellent. I decided to go with a sort of desert version of that. sig888 the photo you posted looks like a stock photo from the NULA website, would you happen to have a photo of Skane's rifle, or a link to the thread?

Here’s one in woodland I’m fond of.

Looks excellent. How long have you had your rifle AK? Looks well loved.

Bought it from a long lost campfire member about a half decade ago. It gets the call more often than not.

Man, that’s a great picture.

Here’s one that Melvin refreshed for me. 30-06

This is my favorite paint. 257r

7-08 that came out nice but a little busy.

This Is over a year later, but my Rifles Inc Lightweight Strata .284 on a 700 SA was I think about 5 3/4 lbs initially. Scoped, slung, and with a magazine full, it was well under 7 lbs, depending on mounts and scope (I’ve mounted several). It has been a very accurate rifle with its 23” barrel and the long box allowing 2.95” OAL. for the loaded 284 Win cartridge.

I did add the PTG bolt which was somewhat heavier. I cannot relate to a NULA never having had one. However, this very light 284 has fired several less than .6 MOA groups at 400 yards, which at the time I accepted as the maximum ethical range on game for me. It’s been a very serviceable rifle for me.

Peterson and Lapua make 284 brass and it hasn’t been hard to find lately. I used my NULA 284 to take a nice 5x5 bull 1st rifle in Colorado. Great performance and easy to carry. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the 708 just as much, I just couldn’t resist the 284 in a NULA.

Your 257 looks great ejo, grey and green stripes with black webbing? Very nice!

284 was very tempting for sure, classic NULA chambering. My decision to go with 7mm-08 instead was one of practicality - components and ammo more available, also I have a Howa alpine in 7mm-08 that can serve as a nice backup/loaner rifle.

284 is cool and was very tempting though.

And speaking of tempting, I toy with the idea of ordering a second NULA in 223 or maybe 6.5 grendel. Fern camo in maple leaf colors could be fun. I'd probably piss Melvin off by asking for a threaded muzzle on that one.

Yes, grey and green with black web

Ohh yeah, I like that!
Going to copy you on that one! I don’t have a NULA, but my boys kimber Hunter in desert tan and stainless barrel. might look wicked with the silver web.

I’m thinking of ordering a fast twist 223 or 22-250 to go with my 284 as well. Kinda leaning 22-250 right now

22-250 would certainly push heavy copper monos fast. 70gr GMX comes to mind.

My boat paddle 77 in 7 mag.
Krylon special

⬆️ The rare Model 42; unique collaboration between Mel Forbes and William Ruger. Only example known to exist. Mel wanted light; Bill wanted stainless. The rest is history.

(Grin)

Nice paint work Ken.

Forbes model 42r. Now we just have to get Barrett to produce more of these.