There’s something timeless about a good bolt-action rifle. The kind that’s light enough to carry, accurate enough to trust, and powerful enough to get the job done—whatever the job is. In a world flooded with gear chasing innovation for its own sake, it’s refreshing to find a rifle setup that’s not just modern, but meaningful. That’s exactly what I found in this build: the Wilson Combat NULA chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, topped with Meprolight’s 3-18×44 First Focal Plane MPVO, capped off with the EC Tuner-Brake. This setup is pure function-forward engineering—and it just might be the ultimate rifle rig.
The Ultimate Rifle Rig – A Mix of Great Gun and Glass
Let’s be honest, there’s no shortage of 700-footprint bolt guns out there. Lightweight hunting rifles with good barrels, decent triggers, and synthetic stocks have become almost routine. So when I saw this setup on the firing line at Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous 2025 in Wyoming, my expectations were measured. But then I shot it.
It wasn’t just the accuracy, the balance, or the clean break of the trigger. It was the total package—how the rifle cycled, how the glass worked with the reticle, and how the whole rig responded to recoil. Everything was in sync. I knew I had to borrow it for a proper test. And when I did, I found out exactly what separates the merely good from the truly great.
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Wilson Combat NULA
Let’s start with the rifle. Wilson Combat is known for 1911s and AR platforms, but in 2022, they acquired New Ultra Light Arms (NULA), bringing Melvin Forbes’ original bolt-action genius into the 21st century. NULA rifles are famous for being featherlight without sacrificing accuracy or strength. And Wilson’s version keeps that DNA intact—while adding precision-machined components, modern metallurgy, and a touch of Arkansas attitude.
The NULA rifle in this configuration tips the scales at just under 7 lbs, 13.7 oz with optic, mount, and brake. Unscoped, you’re looking at a rifle that runs 4 to 5 lbs, depending on configuration. That’s a serious advantage when you’re climbing elevations or moving cross-country with gear.
EDM Machined Receiver
The heart of the system is an EDM-machined 4140 steel receiver paired with a 4340 steel bolt. Unlike many traditional bolt-action rifles that rely on larger bolt bodies riding along machined raceways inside the receiver, the NULA’s bolt system is a different animal entirely. Wilson Combat machines the bolt from 4340 steel—a material chosen for its excellent balance of toughness, fatigue resistance, and shock absorption. It uses a compact, reduced-diameter bolt body that minimizes contact with the inner receiver walls. That reduction in friction results in one of the smoothest actions I’ve ever run, especially when dirty.
The three-lug configuration allows for a short 60-degree throw, which keeps your hand low and fast—ideal when you’re working the bolt from a tight position or trying to maintain your cheek weld.
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Guide Ring
But the real magic comes from the full-diameter guide ring that’s machined into the bolt itself. Most rifles use raceways and rails to guide the bolt, but this system centers and stabilizes itself without them. That means fewer surfaces to collect debris, less drag under load, and nearly no binding, even in gritty field conditions. Add to that a skeletonized and ergonomically swept bolt handle, and you’ve got a bolt assembly that isn’t just fast—it’s purpose-built for real-world hunting and field performance. It’s one of the defining mechanical signatures of the NULA platform and a major reason this rifle feels as refined as it does in your hands.
The Timney Elite Hunter trigger that comes standard is excellent. My trigger gauge measured an average break at 2 lbs, 0.6 oz across five pulls. There’s no creep, no grit—just a clean wall and a crisp snap. Combine that with the minimal bolt lift, and the rifle becomes fast. Fast to run, fast to reengage, fast to trust.
A Barrel Built to Hold Its Nerve
One of the most impressive features of this rifle is the barrel. It’s an 18-inch stainless steel, button-rifled beauty, with a 1:8 twist that’s paired with a carbon fiber and Kevlar AG Composites stock via pillar bedding. That’s where the consistency comes from. The system stays tight and thermally stable shot after shot. A lot of lightweight hunting rifles throw the first cold bore round or start wandering as they heat up. Not the NULA.
I ran this barrel hard during testing—partly because Wilson’s own Sebastian told me to “try and burn it up.” It didn’t shift. From cold bore to hot string, it kept shots tight. I got a .88-inch group at 100 yards with Lehigh Defense 6.5 CM off a bag, and I was honestly the limiting factor. The rifle wanted to shoot better than I could hold. At Middleburg’s range, I rang the 475-yard gong with little effort, using the marked holdover system in the M3 reticle. That kind of cold-to-hot performance is what separates premium gear from gimmicks.
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Lehigh Defense – Consistency Counts
For ammo, I ran factory Lehigh Defense 6.5 Creedmoor. These guys have quietly built a reputation for both innovation and consistency. As a writer, I’ve got options when it comes to who I work with, and Lehigh has more than earned my trust. I even carry their handgun ammo for personal defense. Their rifle offerings aren’t just accurate—they’re reliable and clean-burning, too. Every shot felt consistent, every point of impact tracked.
When it comes to testing a sub-MOA rifle, you want the ammo to be boring—in the best way. Lehigh delivered.
Loads Tested:
| Lehigh Defense 6.5CM 120gr TCC | 2755.8 fps |
| Lehigh Defense 6.5CM 120gr TME | 2785.9 fps |
The TME loads had a better feel but shot the same on paper. .88” at 100.
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Meprolight MPVO
Now let’s talk about the scope. The Meprolight MPVO 3-18×44 FFP might surprise some people. “An MPVO on a bolt gun?” Yep. And it’s the right call.
Meprolight is known for rugged duty optics—red dots, reflex sights—but they’ve expanded their line and hit the mark with this MPVO. It offers a wide zoom range with a Christmas tree-style M3 MRAD reticle in the first focal plane. That means your holds are accurate no matter what magnification you’re on. Whether you’re zoomed out for wide field scanning or cranked to 18x for precise distance shots, the subtensions track. Meprolight suggests a 3.94” eye relief for best results. At full zoom, the reticle is a huge sprawl of holdovers and guiding lines for precise shot placement. When zoomed out, the reticle turns into a simple lit crosshair that’s perfect for fast shots up close.
Controls on this optic are excellent. There’s just enough resistance to hold adjustments without being a struggle. The center button toggles illumination on and off, with brightness levels easy to adjust via simple taps. Holding it down changes the reticle from red to green—nice touch. It’s got a zero-stop system that’s easy to set, and it ships with a quality zoom lever out of the box. Parallax adjustment ranges from 30 yards to infinity, with smooth motion throughout.
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Aluminum Housing
Housing is 6061-T6 aluminum, IPX8 rated—meaning it can handle submersion beyond 30 minutes and shrug off field abuse. It’s built to be used, not babied. The optic sits in a 34mm tube, which makes ring selection a breeze (I dug these weavers out of my bin), and it ships with a robust sunshade, lens caps, and a fresh battery.
It also has an analog rangefinder built into the reticle. Line up an 18” target between the markers, and you’ve got a quick distance approximation—no batteries or apps needed. SCHOTT glass ensures the clarity is top-notch, and with the massive zoom range and true FFP functionality, this scope is adaptable enough for mountain hunts, field shoots, or even steel competitions.
EC Tuner-Brake – The Secret Sauce
Last but not least is the EC Tuner-Brake by Eric Cortina. Now I know 6.5 Creedmoor isn’t exactly a mule-kicker, but this thing changes the way the rifle feels. It reduces recoil to the point that it feels like the rifle moves forward. That’s not just comfort—it’s control. Less movement means faster follow-ups and the ability to spot your own hit.
But what really sets this brake apart is the tuner function. It’s not just venting gas. It’s using an offset weight system to counteract harmonic resonance in the barrel. Every barrel and bullet, no matter how well made, has small inconsistencies—voids, off-center jackets, or internal density variations. These irregularities can induce tiny vibrations as the bullet moves down the bore, affecting accuracy. Colloquially known as “barrel harmonics”.
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Like Balancing Your Tires
It’s like balancing your tires—but for internal ballistics. In precision rifle circles, these tuners are known and respected. I’ve seen them take excellent handloads and shrink groups even further. For factory ammo? It’s a no-brainer. If you’re shooting a high-performance bolt gun and not using a tuner, you’re leaving performance on the table.
What makes this rig special isn’t any one part—it’s the way the parts communicate. The rifle is light but stiff. The optic is feature-rich but intuitive. The brake/tuner reduces recoil and tightens groups. Everything has a role, and none of it feels like overkill.
It All Works Together – The Ultimate Rifle Rig
This is the rifle you take when you care about the outcome. When you have to carry your gear for miles, set up a quick shot, and hit your mark. It’s a rifle that rewards fundamentals and makes good shooters better. I’d trust it for everything from mountain hunting to competitive matches—and I’d do it without swapping a single component.
Final Shots
Let’s not pretend this is a budget build. It’s not. Between the NULA $3k, Meprolight MPVO $1800, EC Tuner-Brake $250, and quality ammo, this rig is premium through and through. But it’s not a safe queen; it’s made to be run hard. Every element is chosen for real-world performance.
When you take into account the precision glass bedding, the ultra-lightweight carbon/Kevlar stock, the use of premium materials throughout, the advanced bolt system with minimal friction, the no-fade barrel that shoots true from cold bore to warm strings, high-performing glass, and a tunable muzzle brake that manages recoil and keeps groups tight—it’s hard to call this an expensive setup. In fact, if you bought a Remington 700 action and tried to piece together a comparable build with these components, you’d likely spend more just on the rifle alone—and still not be guaranteed this level of real-world performance. With the NULA rig, you’re getting a field-ready precision tool straight out of the box, no guesswork required.
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The Ultimate Rifle Rig
Wilson Combat has done something special here by taking a legendary concept and refining it for today’s shooters. They support their products with a one-year satisfaction guarantee, and their customer service team has always been responsive—even to my most annoying questions.
If you’re in the market for a lightweight, accurate, no-excuses rifle that’s ready for serious use right out of the case, this setup deserves your attention. It’s a blend of tradition and innovation that hits the sweet spot—and it’s not going anywhere except the range, the field, or the front of my safe.
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