Factory Offerings
The major manufacturers have also thrown their hats in the ultralight rifle ring. Ruger, Sako, Kimber, Remington, Browning, and Weatherby are some of the makers that offer lightweight rifles with thin barrels and synthetic stocks. In fact, I will have been on a Dall sheep hunt in Alaska with my lightweight .257 Weatherby by the time you read this.

The author's New Ultralight Arms M24 in .30-06 (T) weighs only 6.5 pounds with this Nikon scope, whereas his Blaser K-95 in .270 Win. weighs 6.25 pounds. The author will probably drop another quarter-pound by switching to a more compact 3-9X scope before the next hunting season.

Remington and Browning chose the high-tech route to really shed some pounds. Remington's Alaskan Ti employs a titanium action, trim synthetic stock, and thin barrel to get the weight of its short-action models down to 6 pounds. Using similar technology, Browning's Mountain Ti weighs in at a trim 5.5 pounds. Both rifles balance well, shoot great, and are easy to carry. But titanium isn't cheap, and neither are those rifles. Both are priced north of a thousand bucks, which is considerably more than you'll pay for a standard A-Bolt or Model 700 at your local gunshop.

A Perfect Solution
I've long heard of Melvin Forbes's New Ultralight rifles. In fact, as I told Mel when we first spoke, I first became interested in his rifles when I was a junior in high school. That comment didn't go over so well, but Mel got me back. He talked me into placing an order before I got off the phone.

I ordered the Model 24 in .30-06, and it is a beauty. Its most striking feature is its tiny proprietary action. Forbes designed seven different action sizes to fit different cartridge families with minimal wasted space. Made from a solid bar of 4140 steel, the action is trimmer than Remington's Model 700 action, but it retains the exact same wall thickness. The result is a lighter gun of equal strength.

The Forbes actions are built to exacting tolerances; they are smooth and lock up tight. Everything is built to scale, including the diminutive bolt handle, which settles nicely in the hand yet is small enough that it's out of the way.

The New Ultralight Arms action has a Sako-style extractor and a three-function, two-position safety. By pushing down on the safety while it is in the "Safe" position, you can work the bolt. A Timney trigger and Douglas Premium Grade barrel are other welcome departures from the standard factory-rifle recipe.

With its classic lines, the M24's stock is one of its most unique features. It is scaled perfectly to the diminutive action. There is minimal drop, a Pachmayr Decelerator pad helps tame recoil, and a finished weight of 14 ounces helps keep the overall package light.

Unlike most custom shops who free-float their barrels, Forbes full-length beds his rifles. I've heard differing opinions on full-length bedding versus free-floating, but I have no complaints. My gun shoots under a half-inch with the CorBon 168-grain TSX load.

I fell in love with this rifle the first time I threw it to my shoulder. The action is exquisite, the stock fits me perfectly, and it balances like a real rifle should, despite the fact that it weighs about 6.5 pounds scoped and ready to roll. Recoil is noticeable but not bad given its light weight. I would not want to shoot a much bigger cartridge in the same package, but the old '06 is plenty of gun for almost everything on this continent.

On its maiden voyage, I used my New Ultralight Arms M24 to take a 1000-pound meat eland on the South Texas ranch of my good friend, Irvin Barnhart. Although it wasn't difficult terrain, the Model 24's light weight and exceptional handling qualities were noticeable. I am certain they'll be greatly appreciated when I carry this rifle in the mountains.