Gunner Quinn
With modern materials and techniques, ultra light hunting rifles seem ubiquitous on the market. That was not the case, especially in 1985 when Melvin Forbes opened Ultra Light Arms, which built supremely accurate, sub-6 lb. rifles. The company ended up in the portfolio of Wilson Combat, who offers modern interpretation of Forbes’ genius. New for 2024, the company is introducing the NULA Model 20S.
The 20S is a micro-action version of the NULA Model 20 introduced by Wilson Combat last year.
Wilson Combat purchased New Ultra Light Arms (Forbes sold Ultra Light Arms and purchased his company back twice, adding “New” to the name the final time) in 2022.
The following year, the company introduced the NULA Model 20, a short-action rifle chambered for cartridges like the .308 Win. and .243 Win. The Model 20S is a micro-action version of the Model 20, sized for cartridges that are typically used in an AR-15.
The action of the Model 20S is based on Melvin Forbes’ original Ultra Light Arms rifles.
The action of the Model 20S follows Forbes’ groundbreaking design, with a receiver machined and EDM cut from 4140 steel bar stock and a bolt machined from 4340 steel. Manufactured by Wilson Combat, the lightweight profile barrel is made from 416R stainless steel, its muzzle threaded (5/8”x24 TPI for .30-cal. models and 1/2”x28 TPI for .22-cal. models) and comes supplied with a thread protector. It is button rifled, honed and double stress-relieved. The trigger is an adjustable Timney Elite Hunter unit with side safety. Receiver, bolt and barrel are given an Armor-Tuff finish. The magazine is internal and the aluminum trigger guard has a hinged floorplate and a hardened anodized finish.
The Model 20S uses an aluminum trigger guard with a hinged floorplate.
Stocked in a carbon-fiber AG Composites unit with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad, QD sling swivel studs and three color-options, purchasers can choose between a 12.75” or 13.5” length-of-pull. A Talley rings and base system completes the package. The resulting rifle weighs between 4 lbs., 12 ozs. and 5 lbs., 4 ozs., depending on chambering and barrel length.
The Model 20S is available chambered in .223 Wylde (a chamber that will accept both .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO cartridges), .300 HAM’R, .300 Blackout, and 350 Legend. Those chambered in .223 Wylde have an 18” barrel, 300 HAM’R versions are available with either a 16” or 18” barrel, and .300 Blackout and .350 Legend versions have 16” barrels. All have a magazine capacity of five rounds.
The NULA Model 20S puts the Wilson Combat touch on New Ultra Light Arms’ iconic design.
The Wilson Combat NULA Model 20S has a base MSRP of $2,995. For more information, visit the Wilson Combat website.
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