I have a chance to buy a old remington 721 30-06 bolt action rifle. It isn't in great shape, 1 small barrel ding, several small rust or pre-rust spots on the barrel and a couple of fairly significant scratches on the stock. It does have what seems to be a decent weaver scope that is probably 10 - 15+ years old. I haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet, but assuming it shoots good, what is it worth?
Also is it a gun you would buy?
Lastly, would it be a better deer rifle then a 7400 in 308?
A Remington 721 in the condition you describe is probably worth between $175 - $250 (without seeing pictures can't be sure) but It is probably a gun that I would buy, if the price were right.
I don't know if it would be considered a better deer rifle than the .308 or not. I would venture to say that it might not be any better but would be just as good, both are good deer rifles.
I recently inherited my dads remington 721b in .270. But it's missing the bolt. Any idea where to find one?
Also, on the left side of the receiver, there are two small screws. The stock is recessed at this location like it's supposed to receive some piece of hardware. I've seen this same recess in pictures of other 721b rifles so I know it's not customized, but not in non-b models, even though the non-b models have the same two screws. Any idea what the recess is for?
If my memory is correct the 721 was discontinued in 1958 (or 62?) to make way for the new and improved model 700, which was cheaper to manufacture. I also believe the screws on the side were for the (then) common side mounted scope base, mine has a Griffin & Howe side mount. These rifles are well made and usually quite accurate (not sure of your ding) and are as or more accurate than anything made today.
The .308 exists because the government wanted a more compact length round that copied the 30-06 performance. The 30-06 is excellent for any game in North America and held almost all records for competition shooting in addition to being the #1 selling hunting round made. Yes, I like the old 30-06.
You might be able to find a replacement bolt on one of the gun auction sites or used part sellers if you're patient, BUT keep in mind that replacing a bolt is not a drop-in operation.
Each bolt and barreled action are fitted together at the factory and swapping in a new bolt will require (bare minimum) checking for proper headspacing or (worst case) the chamber might need to be recut to get the headspace within spec.
Your best bet will be to find a local gunsmith and take it in for an in-person appraisal of your situation before dropping the money on another bolt if you can find one.
Like CHW2021 said, it's not a real high-dollar rifle but value might be a moot point if this is a family heirloom rifle that just has to stay in the family (I've got a couple of those too).
Those two screws on the left side of the receiver:
Are they about 3/4" inch apart and near the rear of the action? If so, they're for a receiver sight or aperture/peep sight. Those screw holes were drilled and tapped at the factory and normally have a couple of small plug screws in them if they're unused.
In an unmodified factory stock, those screws are right at the line where the metal meets the wood. If someone had a receiver sight mounted on it at one time, a little bit of wood needs to be removed to provide clearance.
Welcome to the Forum! Don't often see posts concerning the '721, but I think I may be a little help here. About 15 years ago my father passed away and I inherited his old 721. At the same time I had a pre-'64, a post 64 model 70 Winchester and all were the same barrel lengths and all in .30-06, and all with Bushnell 3X9 hunting scopes.
I had the chance to test them all out side-by-side for comparison. With M-72 Match loads and .30-06 hunting loads in 150, 165 and 180 grains. The 721 shot as well as the Winchesters with all grouping under 1 inch at 100 yards. That is - however - when shooting very slowly and giving each barrel well over 1 minute apart between shots. Any faster than that, the barrel on the 721 seemed a little "whippy" and the shot groups in that rifle enlarged very fast to where it shot about 2 to 3 inch groups, while the Winchesters both stayed under 1 1/2 inches with the barrels heated up.
All of that being said, I gathered that the 721 is a great rifle for hunting (where you are only going to fire 1 to 3 shots at most), while the model 70s were better suited for range target shooting for extended shooting sessions. As far as the difference between a .308 and a .30-06, there's not all that much difference, with a typical .308 performing only about 100 FPS slower or so with the same bullet wieght. I happen to prefer a .30-06 for deer and elk. That is only my personal preferance.
I forgot about the peep sight as mine has the sidemount scope. My 721 is in 300 H&Hsp I can only shoot against 30-06 or other rifles in short mag or Win mag that my friends own; it is still a very accurate gun that will shoot about 1.5" with 4 shots. I also have a 722 in .222 that is much more accurate than I am.
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