Forbes Rifles M24B and M20B

[Gtscotty]

I might be behind the times, but I just learned about these rifles tonight:

http://www.forbesriflellc.com/

From what I can gather they are basically production versions of NULA's custom rifles "economized" a bit with a Shaw barrel and Timney trigger. Still, the $1300 that they are going for on Gunbroker seems like a great deal for a Kevlar stocked rifle that weighs 4.75lbs (M20B) or 5.5 lbs (M24B).

The few reviews I saw online (most linked from Forbes Rifles site) seem to show excellent accuracy. Has anyone seen one in person or shot one? I'd be interested to hear about how they shoot from articles that aren't linked to on the manufacture's website. I've been thinking about an ultra-light .308 or 7mm-08 for my next bolt gun, if these rifles don't have any glaring problems, they might be just the ticket.

 

[mtnkid85]

Info on them seems to be sparse. I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone speaks up. The most internet presence I've found on them is there Facebook page. I'm extremely interested in a 30-06 24b in full ss. I have yet to see any ss actions from them though.

 

[OldBrownDog]

The 24 Hour Campfire forums have some info, one guy had a rough time with his as far as fit/finish and extraction issues. He sold it without shooting it. Every report I've read where the owners actually shot the rifles, they were definite shooters.

I'm debating between a full-on NULA or a Forbes for my next rifle. .280 (AI?) or 6.5x55 in an M24 would be really slick, I think.

mtnkid: Melvin Forbes won't make SS actions for NULA's. Apparently there are galling issues. I doubt very much that Forbes Rifles will ever do SS actions, since they're a spin-off of NULA.

 

[Gtscotty]

Huh, after you mentioned that I went looking and found the 24 Hour campfire post and also a post in a Canadian forum... the fit and finish sounded pretty bad on those rifles and they were pretty recent manufacture... I have to say, my curiosity and enthusiasm for these rifles waned a bit after reading about stocks that look like they were inletted by "a blind man with a chisel".

I see Montana rifle company tossed round a lot in discussions on the Forbes rifle online, are they perhaps a better quality maker?

I might just have to stick with lighter rifles in some of the more established brands like Kimber, or maybe another X-bolt now that they show a 6.5 Creedmoor chambering on the website.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Scotty: I believe you're seeing references to Kimber Montana rifles, not Montana Rifle Company rifles. The MRC rifles are not in the same weight range as a Forbes or Kimber.

There is supposedly a phenomenon called "Kimber Roulette", where some Kimber rifles shoot very well out of the box, others need to be bedded/free floated/tuned, and still others just won't shoot well without being re-barreled. I think the Kimber is a tinkerer's rifle.

This is just my opinion, but I would much rather own a Forbes than a Kimber at that price and weight (Money no object, I'm buying a NULA, hands down). I'd be much more confident that the Forbes would be a shooter without any work, regardless of appearances. Possible crummy looking bedding but likely great accuracy (Forbes) or great looks but possible poor accuracy (Kimber)? Forbes for me...

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Forbes Rifles, except I'll likely be buying one sooner or later.

 

[R H Clark]

I have a nice Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 that shoots under 1" at 100 with ammo it likes. Fit and finish is perfect. I think the Roulette happened a few years ago when they had a problem with barrels and then from folks who can't shoot a light rifle. Just my opinion.

The Forbes rifles are not as light as advertised and the CS was atrocious with the one talked about on 24hourcampfire. The OP didn't shoot the rifle originally because it would not extract. Then after the CS issues he had no desire to keep the new rifle.

 

[mtnkid85]

OldBrown, That's interesting that Melvin wont do the NULA rifles with SS actions. The first Ive heard of that.

Really the only reason I mentioned the SS action is because Forbes rifles lists it on there pricing sheet, which shows a price for it. I recently had a quick conversation with them on there FB page where they stated the SS actions would be coming in late 2015/early 16, however I recall reading that they were going to be out in 2014 initially.
So perhaps you are correct about the galling issues and they just keep bumping the dates back?

Anyways like I said, any info I can find on these rifles I appreciate.