Thread: Forbes 20B in 308

There appears to be a few opinions around these rifles. I looked at a second hand one in 308 the other day and quite like it.
Who has one and who's had one?
Pros are light weight and nice ergos
Cons are potential feeding issues and miss fires in a few reports. The $1 reserve 270 on TradeMe looked painful.
What's the opinion out there. @7SAUM you have/had one?
Thinking it will be a cool bush pig chopped to 18" with a DPT up front.
What's the ideas around a fair price for one in good order?

150BT's or 130TTSX?

I have one here and use it a lot

Zero problems with it

Shot a lot of Sika with it now

150 NBT @ 2900 FPS

1000 ftlbs of energy at 630yrds


Nice and light and I can wear it on my chest for pushing through tight Manuka/Kanuka in Sika country

Feeds flawlessly and .5 moa capable with 150-178g projectiles

$2600 new from memory


The bolt feels weird if cycling the action when empty as the mag follower touches it.

Once loaded it’s smooth and silent


Won’t ever be selling mine

Seriously light with a VX3 4.5-14-40 on it

Your welcome to see how it points and feels on the shoulder

If you shoot with a TSX or one of it’s tipped variants eventually you will encounter a situation where that projectile causes a lost deer.

@kiwijames if that was the 270 that was on trade me ages ago? I think Quentin bought it, put a new firing pin spring in and it’s sweet as now.

I've got one in 308. Awesome wee rifle, mine has had no issues. I bought the 270 which had a broken mag spring. Also had a 280ai version.

Feeding and misfire issues are a real thing with the forbes however mine has performed flawlessly

I've actually been thinking of selling the 308 to put money towards more blaser stuff but cant bring myself to part with it.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I have one here and use it a lot

Zero problems with it

Shot a lot of Sika with it now

150 NBT @ 2900 FPS

1000 ftlbs of energy at 630yrds


Nice and light and I can wear it on my chest for pushing through tight Manuka/Kanuka in Sika country

Feeds flawlessly and .5 moa capable with 150-178g projectiles

$2600 new from memory


The bolt feels weird if cycling the action when empty as the mag follower touches it.

Once loaded it’s smooth and silent


Won’t ever be selling mine

Seriously light with a VX3 4.5-14-40 on it

Your welcome to see how it points and feels on the shoulder

If you shoot with a TSX or one of it’s tipped variants eventually you will encounter a situation where that projectile causes a lost deer.

I like what you say about the Forbes and I agree, very light and usable in the hills.

Interesting enough not a lot seem to share your view on these TSX type of pills. I do. I lost a deer using GMX and have had two run a long way using the TSX. Both dead but so I shouldn’t complain but I don’t use them now.


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Got one.
Secondhand but was supposedly never used. Had the rings put on then left in a safe for.god knows how long.
Thinking a 2-8 X 34 Loopy on-top and she can be my Yankee girlfriend.

You lucky man! Can you find me one in left hand

@kiwijames Why limit such a versatile rifle/cal with a silly little 'scope? When you can get, say, a 2-12 VX6 which will do close and far. And a bet in 2 years time you have shot more far with it than close.

Originally Posted by Tahr

@kiwijames Why limit such a versatile rifle/cal with a silly little 'scope? When you can get, say, a 2-12 VX6 which will do close and far. And a bet in 2 years time you have shot more far with it than close.

I've a 7-08 with a Z6 2-12 so that base is covered.

Ah, ha. Sort of like my wife and shoes

Originally Posted by kiwijames

Got one.
Secondhand but was supposedly never used. Had the rings put on then left in a safe for.god knows how long.
Thinking a 2-8 X 34 Loopy on-top and she can be my Yankee girlfriend.

Good score.

Im jealous

What are the triggers like? Every American gun I have used has a trigger like a double action revolver from factory

Timney I think.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Timney I think.

Correct. This one could do with a pound less but is adjustable.