I don’t know Ron, for over 3500+$ it’s bit pricey for the average Joe, my tikka shoots the light out and not to mention my kimber mountain rifle in 280ai for1/3 the price. Nice rifle though
The snobs never can understand you don't have to spend your last penny to have a great piece of equipment. I agree with you, why pay more if you don't get "more"
@@jcows12 you say the snobs don’t understand while proving you don’t understand, you do get more. If the more is worth the increase in cost that’s something only the person buying the rifle can decide, worth it or not is a very different thing then no difference.
I have several fine shooting rifles, from Tikka, Remington, even a pos ruger American, but I bought a Cooper 300 mag used, it's not a shooter like some o my cheap rifles,, but damn it's lite and swings to the shoulder like nothing else in the safe. In fact I'm carrying today
Ron: another great video. Just a note on unloading a blind magazine rifle. You don't have to lower the bolt into battery when unloading. Simply run it straight back and forth, and the bolt will strip the round and eject it without having to worry about an accidental discharge. Thanks, as always. Mike
That works good on a controlled round feed action. Not so good on a push feed action. A lot of times the bolt needs to cam down tight to clip over the rim
I always appreciate your perspective Ron. Although in this case I’m not a sale. A heavier rifle has always been my preference, as well as a long action cartridge. Call it powerlifting instead of crossfit. Keep up the good work brother.
I’m mostly in the same boat. It’s much like a CCW pistol: a medium to heavier rifle will always be easier to shoot but will slow you down, and may make you decide not to go up a mountain because you’re too tired, whereas a lighter rifle won’t usually shoot near as good but can be completely forgotten about while walking around. Mouse guns are easier to carry but harder to shoot.
Mr. Forbes made me a .308 NULA about ten years ago. I have too many guns, but this is the only gun I’ve ever deer hunted with so I don’t have alot to compare to. I’m in love with mine though either way! Super smooth action, very lightweight, not bad recoil, and shoots where I aim it. Not sure about Wilson’s, but I love my NULA!
The fact that they've departed from a blind magazine already demonstrates they're straying from the purpose of the thing, which was uncompromising lightness. All good things come to an end. Anyone who owns an original is a lucky, lucky guy.
100%. Wilson's "NULA" has no blind mag, is not fully bedded, has a run of the mill carbon fiber stock, and has a hideous bolt handle. They completely went away from what made a NULA great.
I'm not sure I could justify the price tag against some of howa's light weight offerings at less than half the price. What really surprises me is that they don't have it chambered in 284.
I have the Barrett fieldcraft in 6.5cm with a 18inch threaded barrel. It’s based on the same rifle I believe and all I can say is wow! It’s by far my favourite to hunt with. I wasn’t sure about the fully bedded barrel and the lack of floor plate, but it just works 👌
They just released these, I believe. I don't think they've made bolt guns before, but Wilson barrels are amazing - I have two ARs with WC barrels on them and both are VERY accurate.
Ron, I don't think Douglas cut-rifles barrels, at least not when your .284 was made, but I could be wrong on that. I hope this sale turns out better than Melvin's sale to that Maine outfit, which turned out to be a real fiasco. Excellent video.
Ron, please don’t drop dead from shock 😂 but, I agree with you! I like the old style bolt handles too. They just seem to slide with your hand instead of biting into it. I’m not so much into this short barreled craze. 24” is pretty much my minimum. Unless we’re talking about an AR platform. But, that’s another story. Keep it up Ron! Love your channel!
That barrel is a button rifled double x which means it's air gauged to less than one ten thousandth with no straightening done I'm not Shure what taper the barrel is cut too
I'm gonna say yes the hype is real for this rifle. Please test one of these stag arms who tee who just snagged. Lifetime barrel warranty is interesting.
The whole point behind the NULA(as a consumer) with a very light hunting rifle with options no one else offered. This new iteration is just another version of what’s already available by many but way more expensive. I’ll stick with Kimber 84s thank you
good video Ron. I'm going back and forth between the NULA and Howa Superlite in 7mm-08. Surely not as nice, but the Howa and its price are very compelling.
For what it’s worth. I just bought the Howa Super lite in 243 and my first time to the range It had a 5/8” group with 1 load and 1.25” and 1” groups with the others. It’s a great shooter.
Buy the Howa and don't look back. For my money, I will not pay $3500+ for a rifle that, in my eyes, is a factory rifle that is no different from other lightweight factory rifles. Wilson took what was once a full custom shop and customizable rifle to your own specs and replaced it with a standard production rifle. You're better off getting any myriad of lightweight factory rifles that all will shoot accurately enough for big game hunting. A Weatherby Mark V with the 6 lug action chambered in 6.5 RPM runs over a grand less and will hit harder & shoot far flatter than any of the cartridges available in the new Wilson NULA rifle. The $1,200 you save can be used on a very nice scope.
Love all the work you put out Ron. But if you're going to put is something worth it in the title I expect you to address the financial factor of worth compared to other similar light weight options. Any 3k to 4k rifle is going to be nice but is this one worth that money comparatively is the question 🤔
7 Rem Mag vs 300 WSM Hi Ron, I want to start off by saying thank you for making such fun hunting and outdoor content on the internet. I've watched your videos on and off for the past couple years and the last 6 months or so have been listening to your podcast religiously. This is the first season that I've been able to go deer hunting in 5 years because I played college football which has consumed most of my time in the falls. Although I'm sad my football career is over I can now get back to another of my life long passions...hunting! For the most part I've mainly been a deer hunter with a little bit of pheasant and turkey hunting mixed in there as well but in the years to come I hope to be able to go on some more big game hunts for animals like mule deer, elk, moose, black bear and maybe even grizzly but I'm not sure I'm bold enough for that. I have taken all my deer with my trusty Jack o' Connor 270 Winchester that my dad got me when I was just a young hunter but if I go to pursue those bigger game animals I think I'm going to want to size up my caliber a bit. This is due to the increase in size of the animals I'm pursuing and the change in landscape I will likely be seeing from the old Midwest deer hunting I'm so used to. The two options that I'm really debating between are the 7 rem mag because of it's flat shooting trajectory and the 300 WSM because as far as I can tell it's a slightly softer recoiling 300 win mag. I don't plan on shooting any further than 400 yds. Do you have any thoughts about me picking one of those options over another? Another thing to consider is I can see myself getting into reloading in the future and not sure if one of those cartridges is better than the other for that. I know people have claimed that the belt on the rem mag can cause issues to reload but I also thought I heard you disagree with those claims in one of your videos. I would love to know your thoughts, thanks again for all you do for the outdoor community -Evan
This day and age I have no idea why anyone would want a two lug 90 degree bolt. Yes they are fine if you already have one but at least do a 70 degree bolt of you are deciding to stay with two lug. I much prefer three lug. 7-08 is nice but 284 is that much better.
Run the blind mag gun as a single shot. One in the chamber and 3 spares on the stock of needed. No need to cycle rounds through the action. A rifle I lusted after but will never get one now.
It already is available in 7mm-08 for the price they could’ve put a raised cheek piece on it. In my opinion I don’t understand what the $3300 goes into? I believe that for $1500 less you can get just as good. Thanks for the video
Nice rifle. Good review. But when viewing their website, they are not available. Would prefer reviews on long guns available to the average joe consumer as opposed to novelty products.
I looked at their website today for the first time. Looks like they are available you just have to custom order! Price is still way too high for that rifle… About another pound and you get a tikka which is a third the price and I guarantee has more parts support!
Hello Ron! This is a 3 part question. 1.) My father inherited a rifle chambered in 8mm Mauser from his father. I haven’t ever heard you mention this round so, I was wondering if you have an opinion on it? Maybe it is better known under a different name that I haven’t heard. 2.) Here in west central Indiana, we shoot a lot of whitetail! What is your favorite cartridge for whitetail? My favorite is 30-30 because we all like to feel like a cowboy sometimes! I have started to look into other rifles though. Possibly 30-06 or 6.5 PRC for my future western adventures. 1.)What is 8mm Mauser 2.) Favorite Whitetail Cartridge 3.) 6.5 PRC or 30-06 for Western Hunting of pronghorn - elk or moose sized game?
I do like the idea of a light weight rifle. I live that wilson is offering different barrel lengths also. Unfortunately, I think 99 percent of the people who watch this video will end up with a howa ultralight and a case or two of practice ammo.
I have owned at least 50 rifles that the actions were made of stainless steel and never had any issues, I cant think of another mountain rlfle in this price range that dont have a stainless or titanium reciever
Would love to see a video about lightweight rifles. Why are they such a fad right now and do they really serve much purpose. I personally never go for the lighter rifle.
ULA has changed hands 3 or 4 times. I have a Colt Light Rifle in .270 that was a good deal at $700.00. Light and shoots well. I also bought a used Forbes Light rifle I got used at Cabela's for $1100.00 with a little Leo ll 3x9. Nice gun. I had a business dealing with Mr. Forbes over that gun and he did not impress mei.
Hey Ron I love your videos. You have a very good demeanor and means of explaining things and you're a soft-spoken guy you're not a hot-headed guy and you just seem like you'd be a great person to have with you on a hunting expedition. I really enjoy watching your videos and I learned a little something every time . I've got a question. I heard that you CAN use a drone to help you locate a deer that gotta good ½ to 1 mile from where it was hit b4 it hit the ground.. BUT I had a guy tell me that if you use a drone to find your deer, then you can't go & retrieve it?? That makes zero sence to me. This was a guy from another state then I live in (which is in western NC)...but that can't be true? This guy said you have to let the coyotes get a free buffet. I thought you basically HAVE to do any thing within reason to retrieve a shot animal... so how could a law / pick like that exist? I'll look for a reply in your next video.
Is it worth the extra dollars over the Howa Superlite? 4lb 9oz in .308 and mine shoots great. I'm loading Barnes 130 ttsx over Varget to make it a mild shooter.
I understand why things cost what they do and a ruger american isn't the same thing. But it does get pretty dang close to the same thing for a whole lot less.
Sadly, Melvin Forbes passed away (6/6/2024) after a long battle with cancer. Melvin's rifle is true "Shooting Star" and he was a gifted mechanical genius and gunsmith/builder. Rest in peace, Melvin. I hope I'll see you on the other side of the mountain. You will be missed by all who knew you.
It seems nice. My opinion is a great bolt action capable of 1 moa should never cost more than $1000. I have a few different bolt actions all of which can shoot 1 moa or better and 700 for the bare rifle is my most expensive. I haven't checked prices on the Wilson combat but I'm sure it won't outperform a howa 1500.
Everyone has a budget! I am a 60+ year gun collector and everyone has a budget but if you can afford it and want it why not! Hundreds of rifles and many custom built rifles and it’s all about what you like and expect from a rifle!
@@Dave-cf2ng haha re read the comment. I said a great bolt action rifle... Not saying there aren't superb top tier rifles but who realistically "needs" a hunting rifle that will group 1 inch at 500 yards. It's easy to call names but I'm most certainly not ignorant and paying 10,000 for a rifle is like buying a Lamborghini, it's not practical for 99 percent of people.
I'm not a fan of 20" barrel 6.5 PRCs. It's usually loaded with considerably more of slower burning powders compared to the .470" base short action cartridges. You're just not gonna get the most consistent burns with somethin' like 60 grains of RL-26 out of a 20" barrel.
@@brianklamer3328@FraserFir-sb4lk I'm not interested in lugging a 30-inch barrel (24" + 6" suppressor) over mountains and through timber. With N565 pushing 130gr monos, I have more than enough velocity and I'm happy to give up a bit of velocity for much reduced length and weight. Thanks though.
@@_emh I'd rather just spend a hundred bucks or so on a Walker's Game Ear setup than go an extra grand in the hole for a decent can to put on this thing and it still be nowhere near unprotected ear safe. All the while mortally screwin' up the balance of the rifle. I also think it is pretty asinine this is becomin' a norm. Because a cartridge that's loaded with magnum rifle powders with a case capacity near equal to a .30-06 has no business havin' a 20" barrel. There's more to it than just losin' a lil' bit of velocity.
Not at that price point. They simply want far more for that rifle than it is worth in my book. They want what $3295 for that? You can get close to that weight with a Ruger American and I bet the Ruger American will match it for accuracy as well. I might have to try and build something similar and see if I can keep it bellow $1200
Ehhh...I don't know if I would compare the Wilson NULA to a Ruger American. I have a pretty decent rifle collection including a Ruger American Predator in 204 Ruger. I purchase it for use as a good truck rifle, something that can always be on hand to put down a coyote or have fun shooting prairie dogs or jackrabbits. It shoots ok, but I have never been able to really dial in a load, either with factory ammo or handloads. On the other hand, I've got an early model Winchester Model 70 EW 30-06 SPRG from 2010 that will print 3/4" groups all day long with 180 grain Nosler Partitions. I don't personally like the new Wilson NULA and the path they've taken with making it just another standard production rifle. But the Ruger American was never intended to compete with the nicer & higher end factory rifles. It's a good rifle built to meet a price point, but at that range a couple hundred more dollars gets one into a Tikka T3x or Bergara B14, both of which are a step up, IMHO.
Good evening Ron, Well that was the first video of your's that I didn't enjoy. Not because of anything you did, just the depressing content. Melvin and his lovely wife Patty are two of the nicest people anyone could meet. I truly hope their health is fine and they are just getting ready to enjoy retirement. The man is a firearms genius and I hate to see him end building rifles. Hopefully this will go better than the other sales of NULA or ULA. Actually just last night when I was coming back from feeding and watering the stock I thought, I've got to call Mel and place an order. Guess that won't happen now. Wilson needs to stick with 1911s and not mess up the NULA rifle. Seems like the 20 is the only action series they'll be offering. Really a sad day. Anyways, I hope you and the family had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. Stay healthy. Cheers, Jeff
So I have a question Ron, you had this rifle in your hands and was able to shoot it, was the stock slick feeling or was it grippy? Unfortunately, there are none of these rifles, anywhere near where I live, and after calling Wilson Combat several times they provided Very little information and surprisingly had very little knowledge about these rifles other than what’s on their webpage. Apparently they do not get versed or any kind of orientation about these rifles so they can tell their customers more details and intricate details like if the stock is slick, feeling or if it’s grippy. to me, it looks like a stock that might be similar to begara rifle! It also looks like in wet weather it could be slick. I know it’s carbon fiber, but there are different types of carbon fiber stocks, so I’m asking is this stock slick feeling or is it grippy? I know it’s based on the model 700 Remington from my research.
A really nice looking rifle. I looked up the price. Wow! Buy once cry once I guess? You could buy a tikka rifle and an exceptional scope mount, scope combo and have change left over to keep the wife distracted with her own gift.
@@gatekeeperbubba2946 Have you seen the aftermarket stocks from Boyds for the Tikka? They are beautiful!The only upgrade I could think of for the Tikka.
The correct answer is no, because there’s not a chance in hell I can talk my wife into one after I just built a model seven to achieve a similar goal! 😂. They do look like awesome rifles, hopefully I’ll come across one to handle in a shop one of these days!
I will open with this statement: I have been kicking myself in the rear for almost two years now, because I never was able to get myself a genuine NULA rifle from Melvin Forbes. I read about them & admired them for years, always working toward one day placing an order for one. Sadly, that day never happened. From the beginning when NULA was sold to Bill Wilson, I immediately skeptical. Fast forward two years and my skepticism was completely warranted. The Wilson NULA is not what I classify as a custom built rifle. High end factory rifle, yes. But I see no custom shop options compared to Melvin Forbes' operation. A high end factory rifle chambered in the same five or six boring short action cartridges do not accelerate my heart rate. Rather, more of a huge yawn. I thought the NULA rifles made by Melvin Forbes looked just fine; they kooked like fine custom sporting rifles. I find the new Wilson rifle aesthetically lacking, especially with the big knurled Tactical bolt handle...does everything today have to be geared toward tacticool? Not being a custom rifle anymore and not even being made available in 284 Winchester or even 30-06 SPRG is a huge swing and a miss in my book. The 284 Winchester in the NULA bolt action rifle is what made the legend. Wilson is essentially pushing out a rifle that has at least 10 worthy competitors from various manufacturers. And on the other hand, for $3500, there are other viable options from custom shops. Lex Webernick at Rifles Inc. will build you a fine lightweight Model 70, with actual custom options. I myself am working on ordering that exact rifle in 6.5x284 Norma with a 24 inch Lilja barrel. In closing, I do not believe that the Wilson NULA will be around long. To go from offering a full custom shop to a single available product in five standard chamberings, in addition to discontinuing the blind magazine & Kevlar stock, is a step backward IMHO. Time will tell, but my brain tells me that handing my hard earned money to a custom shop and getting something truly custom is a better investment.
They are not worth it to me. They don't shoot any better than a Tikka, but they are lighter. Nice rifles, but too expensive. Hence the "not worth it to me" comment. YMMV.. Also, when Melvin was doing them, he had a hand in the building of every one. He was great at what he did. The new NULA's are not what they used to be.
Well I don't know how to say this without being condemning. So you're saying it's the same company though? Wilson combat bought this company and it's the same rifle but everything you showed on there they changed. They changed the stock what it was made out of the weight of the stock. They changed the blind magazine to a floor plate magazine. They changed the barrel weight. They changed the safety so pretty much the only thing they didn't change was the bolt. So you can't tell me that that's the same gun because they changed everything but one thing so it's not the same gun. So Wilson combat all they did was bought the name from Forbes and they raised their price from what I'm told drastically raised their price. So I don't know what else to say. But it's not the same damn gun. It's too completely different guns!!!!!!
I am a security guard at work and the Wi-Fi blocked me from ordering your 7mm book. I will go home after midnight and hopefully you will allow me to get a signed copy for $40 in a preorder condition. Please?!?!
Kevlar is the better material for stocks. It will stretch under impact. Carbon fiber is stronger but will crack and become unusable with severe abuse. They should have advertised that fact instead of giving the idiot masses what they wanted.
All rifles without iron sights are only as good as the scope you put on them. When your scope breaks it renders the rifle useless. That's why I'll never buy a rifle without iron sights on them.
