Would like some input. Same question asked many times. Sold some stuff over last two years and have built up $3,000.00 and for the first time and last time want to build a custom rifle. Purpose: WT deer/ coyotes / targets. From blind / vehicle / walking / bench / house. Light weight, short of barrel as possible, synthetic stock. Caliber will be 6.5 Creedmoor. Distances: Mainly 100-200 yds occasional 300. I have the glass, so not factored into price. So which receiver, what barrel, bolt, base, stock etc. And the real kicker question is this: If you were going to have it built who would you chose to do it. No multiple choice answers please, pin it down to just one builder who you'd recommend to do this old man's dream rifle. New member and I say hello and thanks in advance.
Dual rifle
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OldBrownDog
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Light weight? New Ultra Light Arms. A little more than $3K, but I don't think I've ever heard of any issues with Melvin Forbes or his rifles.
DM~
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Yup, Mel builds a top of the line light weight rifle, all in house, including the actions and stocks... I had him build me a 22LR,
He builds them on his model 20 action, and his work is top of the line,
DM
He builds them on his model 20 action, and his work is top of the line,
DM
Will take a look at NULA rifles, thank you. Found another thread here where basically the same question was asked, except that shooter had no ceiling to cash outlay. Recommended to him were GAP and Surgeon rifles, beautiful but out of my budget. Also E R Shaw rifles. R&P precision rifles ( Randy ) How do the commercial versions of the NULA rifles compare to the custom jobs? Thank you for the replies.
OldBrownDog
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I've heard of issues with Forbes Rifles. They are not under Melvin's direct control, but because they have his name on them, I believe he's been willing to help make those issues right.
My understanding is that they shoot well, but there have been issues with extraction, fit and finish (I've personally seen safety cutouts that looked like a 5-year old cut them). They're also significantly cheaper. You could get two for less than the price of one NULA.
Forbes does not chamber their rifles in 6.5 Creedmore.
If you can afford it, I would say NULA. But a Forbes Rifle is not a bad rifle.
By the way - Welcome to THR.
My understanding is that they shoot well, but there have been issues with extraction, fit and finish (I've personally seen safety cutouts that looked like a 5-year old cut them). They're also significantly cheaper. You could get two for less than the price of one NULA.
Forbes does not chamber their rifles in 6.5 Creedmore.
If you can afford it, I would say NULA. But a Forbes Rifle is not a bad rifle.
By the way - Welcome to THR.
Thanks OBD. Did some research on the NULA, $3,600.00. On the Forbes getting some conflicting info. Had troubles when Mel sold out, but also hearing he rebought the rights and trying to straighten out problems. ??? Anybody know or heard of these issues?
jogar80
Member
My suggestion is Tactical Rifles in Florida. Great staff and even better rifles. Had one of their rifles for a while before financial problems forced me to sell it. If I had the money I'd buy from them again.
Savage makes the Lightweight Hunter in 6.5 with MSRP under $1000. 20" barrel and under six pounds. That gives you a lot of money to use for ammunition.
http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LH
http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11LH
Well thanks for all the input. Checked out all the suggested site and some extra. To get a truly custom rifle appears NULA is about the closest to the budget. E.R.Shaw does one for $900.00 but not with the options I was looking for. The rest were all approaching $5,000. Cooper might be my best bet and there is nothing wrong with their product, may go that way, but still have time to search for that one-of-a-kind personal rifle. Thanks Strawhat, the LtWt hunter is a beautiful and accurate rifle just not my vision. Again I thank you all. TC, Alec
CarJunkieLS1
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Check with Meredith Rifles in Alabama. He can build ANYTHING you want. I've recently got a 7-08 custom build from him and its beautiful haven't shot it yet. I've personally seen 5-6 rifles he has built and ALL of them shoot very well (sub-moa) I saw a .308 put 20 consecitve shots in under 10 minutes shoot 1/2 inch at 100yds.
Vern Humphrey
Member
A Kimber will run around $1,300, plus bases and rings.
I really like the Kimber and think it's as good as any rifle on the market.
I really like the Kimber and think it's as good as any rifle on the market.
urbaneruralite
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Last time I check ER Shaw was just building Savage do-overs, so the Savage Lightweight might be a better option.
Me, I'd find an used Remington Model Seven for around $400 and have Hart go over it and put on a featherweight barrel for around $600. Maybe even a Christensen Arms carbon fiber for a little more. Then I'd have it coated in black teflon for a few hundred. Finishing it off with a McMillan Edge would come in very light and under budget. If too light I would skip the edge for an Accurate Innovations drop-in. That bedding block they use will allow having some nice dark walnut to compliment the smooth teflon finish.
If you tell us which state perhaps we can recommend a maker so you can go talk to them in person before you get started.
Me, I'd find an used Remington Model Seven for around $400 and have Hart go over it and put on a featherweight barrel for around $600. Maybe even a Christensen Arms carbon fiber for a little more. Then I'd have it coated in black teflon for a few hundred. Finishing it off with a McMillan Edge would come in very light and under budget. If too light I would skip the edge for an Accurate Innovations drop-in. That bedding block they use will allow having some nice dark walnut to compliment the smooth teflon finish.
If you tell us which state perhaps we can recommend a maker so you can go talk to them in person before you get started.
DM~
Member
Wouldn't that just be a Remington "do-over"?
NULA (Mel) makes his own actions, they don't need tuning up or anything else... He also builds his own super strong light weight stocks!
Yes, they are expensive, QUALITY always is!
DM
urbaneruralite
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Not exactly. The Shaw rifles are just a Savage assembled from components you pick out. The Remington I outlined would be like the NULA in that it has the extra steps done to finish it on out.
DM~
Member
Shaw starts out with a Savage and assembled components, You would be starting out with a Remington and assembled components YOU picked out.
On the other hand, Mel (NULA) starts out with a bar of raw steel and MAKES THE ACTION in house! He also starts out with raw materials, and makes the stock in house too! With a process he patented...
SO, the Shaw and you, are NOTHING like Mel's NULA. And, Mel doesn't swiss cheese his guns to get them light, like so many others do.
DM
Some good practical suggestions and info. Appreciate that. I am finding out, researching all these leads that truly quality custom rifles are not cheap, coupled with desired glass, I am breaking the budget wide open. Going to have to re-think. Going with Cooper as my affordable custom, possibly, or Kimber next cost down, or going all the way down in cost to Tikka or Ruger. Then stick with some real good glass. Being that 95% of my shots will be under 200yds, a 7mm-08 or .260 rem might be a better choice in a 16"-20" barrel. Handy, not significant loss of FPS and hitting power. Anybody have any experiences with Ruger or Tikka compacts? NULA sure looks like most affordable custom but still those with a nightforce compact just sits a bit too much over budget. Well as we say in TX " We'LL get er done." Good day to all.
urbaneruralite
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You're really missing the point. If the building process of the NULA actions were stopped at the same level as the Remington, it'd be about the same quality. They don't, of course, but then neither do gunsmiths that finish the Remington on out to the same level as the final product you get from NULA. As far as I know, none of that work is done on the Shaw rifles because it is not necessary and would not accomplish much. That's most of why a Savage is built the way it is.
I'm not knocking the NULA rifles. They are awesome and not really expensive, relatively speaking, if you want an ultralight. If you just want a light rifle, well, I already laid that out.
urbaneruralite
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.308-based cartridges start getting loud when the barrels get short. I'd stay 20" or longer. Nothing wrong with a Tikka!
DM~
Member
What will this rifle do that a 400 dollar Ruger American Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor won't do? Just wondering why anyone would need to spend 3000 dollars on a rifle to shoot 200 yards...
Some people really appreciate high end "build" quality, (blueing/fit/high quality metal/trigger/stock/ect..) others don't care about things like that.
You obviously don't, so you will never understand why someone would buy a higher end rifle.
DM
DM~
Member
IF you "think" you can "warm up" a Remington, to the build level of a NULA, then you are RIGHT! I really am missing the point!
DM
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