Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Remington 721 conversion to 9.3 x 62mm Mauser

Picked a Remington 721 in .30-06 a while back.

Nothing wrong with .30-06, but since I have .308s and .300WM why do I need a a 'tween caliber... SO, got to thinking (that can be dangerous for sure) about a conversion... and well with all the pink elephant sitings I keep hearing about here of late in Woodbridge, VA... decided I needed a big bore dangerous game caliber.

Enter 9.3 x 62mm Mauser http://www.norma.cc/en/Products/Hunting/93x62/

Remington 721 bolts are some of the strongest bolt lockups ever made... so looking for opinions etc. here... or should I just sell the gun and buy a ???

If I convert I will either rebore http://35caliber.com/2.html or rebarrel.

Can you say 6.5# elephant gun?

Thought and jabs welcome.

I'd get a recoil pad.

Jab #1... already thought of that. Thanks

Rebore to 9.3x62 if you have enough barrel thickness to accommodate that bore size. That will make it a bit lighter than it is now, but that is a nice round. And a rebore is usually cheaper than a new barrel. Also, nothing changes regarding the bedding and stock.

I have a 9.3x62 and prefer it to any .35. Other will have their opinions, that's mine. It's an easy round to load for and shoots most loads into tight groups.

DF

Where it I, I'd consider a new stock if I planned on running it with a scope. The 721's have too much drop for me.

You read my mind again... heading to Panama in 3 weeks to go fishing and hope to bring/ship back mucho coco bolo slabs.

My 9.3X62 surprised me. It is actually pleasant to shoot off the bench and is incredibly accurate.

I would do it. I have a rebored model 70 and a Springfield, in 35 and 375 Whelen respectively. JES recommends a minimum of .200 over groove diameter for a rebore. A 9.3x62 would require at least .566 for a muzzle diameter. Your 721 should be that and then some.

It's not too difficult to fit a 700 stock to a 721 if you want to go that way.

Agree 100%. Even though mine was setup with a Redfield receiver sight, it was pretty tough off the bench for load development. My 700 BDL 300 Win Mag is a pussycat in comparison as far as "felt" recoil goes.

My 721 in 30-06 rebored to 35 Whelen in a 700 BDL stock using original 721 bottom metal. It's bout 20 some years old now and I've never been disappointed that I did it. Nikon Monarch 1x4x20mm

Good stuff... I honestly expected more chiding about walking away from .30-06.

Any other cal. suggestions before I jump in??? 35/375 Whelen are out for me... 400 Whelen is interesting, but TOO MUCH WHELEN to ask from this gun? ...and internet rumors run amuck on .400W as bad as pink elephants sitings.

A good friend of mine just picked up a Ruger #1 in .458 Lott... so I have been thinking about big in a different way ever since. (I have .300WM, .45-70 (R #1), couple of .458S and .50B so thumping fun is pretty common for us here in Virginia.

I agree on a new stock... proper fit is a must. Solid coco bolo or maybe a teak/holly lam. (I am pretty fair with wood).

Pondering a barrel bob as well. I have always liked my big bore stuff kinda punchy carbine short on the front end and well fitting on the back end (I am 6'5").

Kahles Helia C 1.1-4x24 scope with 7A heavy plex reticle will be her bonnet.

Not sure how you are bringing that Dalbergia retusa home, but it is either a huge PITA or a felony, depending on how you do it...

http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

Thanks... I had no idea on the illegality.

One of the guys we fish with has a huge teak plantation in the Darién Gap... the Embera natives cut and work all the woods beautifully... some truly amazing stuff. I just figured to buy some raw and pack it on home, but I reckon not now.

I do have a old chestnut beam... that may be more appropriate anyway.

I would wait on the bob job until after you have it in hand as the rebore will lighten up the barrel some.

I would take a look at the 8x57.

Lose the see-thrus !

BTW, rebore it to 9.3x62. You'll not regret it. JES has done mine in the past, and has another one now that he is doing.

DONE... came on the gun and seller wanted to keep!!!

Was a 2:1 trade. One Browning A5 3" (Jap.) for a 700 BDL in 7mm RM and this 721... I am very pleased with the trade. The 700 is extremely nice. He even thru in 100 rounds of 7mm RM.

Virginia is a good place to trade.

I want a big (kinda) bore and 9.3 is about as big as I can go with this gun without a bolt reface.

700 stocks are available in all price ranges from Numrich. Putting a 721 in one is not difficult.

The barrel is plenty thick enough for a 400 Whelen (I did a 300 H&H to 400 H&H).

The only problem with the 400 Whelen was dolts who did not use the Griffin and Howe chamber specs. Get Zeglin's Book Wildcat Cartridges. There is a whole long chapter devoted to the 400 W by the late Mike Petrov. (it's on amazon).

9.3x62 would be my next choice as it treads hard on a 375 H&H.

my 721 300 H&H in a 700 Classic stock.

If mine was a .300 H&H I would be doing NOTHING but shooting her, but alas a .30-06... and I have a .300 WM already so back to the big bore conversion study.

Nice looking rifle BTW.

Yes I have 5 300 H&Hs, the one I converted to 400 H&H was a Classic with the too short barrel (24").

400 H&Hs work quite well. R.F. Sedgley deluxe with G&H chamber, 250 yds 350 gr old X Leupold 2.5X Alaskan.




This 300 H&H is for sale. Was a 375 H&H DGR, now has Shielen bbl in 300 H&H and drives tacks. $1000 to your door.

Cash,

There are much better rifles than the old 721's for hunting in terms of:

1. Reliability
2. Safety
3. Control round feeding
3. Looks
4. Value

Sell that old gun to someone who still thinks they are ok.

Look at other brands and new guns.

Here is a new 9.3 that CZ offers.



CZ 9.3x62 American

Geez, EXPERT, maybe the gentleman LIKES the 721, ever THNK about that?

While, I am a Mod. 70-Dakota-Mauser-old Brno man and actually HAVE and DO HUNT, even have shot Elk, worked alone for months sans breaks in remote Grizzly country, I would NEVER make the sort of AZZHOLE comments here that you constantly burden us with.

You are a maroon and should STFU and let us enjoy each other's REAL opinions!

1. Reliability? She feeds .30-06 PERFECT... assume 9.3 would be identical. I can't see why not.

2. Safety? 721 actions are about as good as they come IMHO... short of really "extreme" stuff.
If 721s can run a .300 H&H Magnum... the 9.3 should not be a problem.

3. Control round feeding? She feeds .30-06 PERFECT... assume 9.3 would be identical. I can't see why not.

3. Looks? I have plenty of guns that would hurt your eyes worse than this one... and with a new stock I just don't concur (and if I can get an Embera native (while I am in Panama fishing in a few weeks) to make me a "custom ox yoke" or "custom tiller handle" from coco bolo (legal import item "wink wink") she might become the only coco bolo wearing 721 on the planet.

4. Value? In lots of ways she was a free gun.
Browning A-5 traded for a Remmy 700 BDL in 7mm RM was about even IMHO... he threw in the 721 to lock down the deal.

"There are much better rifles than the old 721's for hunting..."

I concur maybe (I haven't hunted with this one yet). I already have many such rifles.

...BUT since we seem to be eat up with pink elephant sitings here as of late in Woodbridge, VA... a man can never be too careful when it comes to protecting his family... thus the NEED for a semi-big bore.

Ever heard a rumor last week about loose Cape Buffalo near the shopping mall... at least that is what I told my wife.

.400 Whelen is out, just too wildcat for this dumb country boy.

Always hilarious when a Connecticut deer hunter pontificates to everybody else how badly they 'need' CRF. I could spend the rest of my life hunting with a 721 without a problem.

Look up Gunner500.

He had a thread not long ago about a big Whelen.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9109235/3

He put some pics and load info up around page 3.

400 Woodleighs at 2255 sound fun!

There is a reason many people have ol' 99 on ignore I wouldn't waste time arguing with him.

Since I switched to decaf gotta have some fun somewhere... besides I'm a newbie here and need to pad my post count some!!!

Be well, Leonard

BTW... nice goat in your avatar.

Showing the lack of CRF and a broken extractor on a 700.



Broken off bolt handle on a 700!



Also I read they have all been recalled for some reason!

My Gawd, do you EVER cease from being a total azzhole? It just never fuggin stops with you and your ignorant bullschidt, eh?

I managed a gunshop, have seen mechanical issues with EVERY action, including those you show with 700s, BUT, I have NEVER seen a 721 handle come off the bolt body and I seriously doubt that YOU have, either!

You post photos of many VERY choice guns which you own, WHY must you continually harass others who simply enjoy some others which you do not?

Are you actually this much of a total dipschidt or do you have to practice a lot?

Cash........that 721 of yours would make a great donor for a 9.3x62. Warren Page had a 721 chambered in .375 Weatherby that he rebarreled 2 or 3 times. Used that bad boy on buffalo and elephant with nary a problem that I recall.

Lol, have some fun then.......

Thanks, I was very happy with the goat.

Cash,

For what it's worth, the 400 Whelen is a pretty simple wildcat to feed. Reasonably priced dies are available from CH4D and cases are easy to make. I love mine. That being said I'd want a bit heavier barrel than the standard 30-06 barrel on a 721 for a 400 Whelen. Recoil might be a bit noticeable if one rebored the standard barrel to 400 Whelen.

Don't pay any attention to the trolling 721 detractor. You've got a good rifle and it is well suited to reboring to 9.3x62. If you go with JES, you'll only be into the rebore around $250 with shipping. That makes a pretty reasonable way to get into the rifle. Anything available on the market in 9.3x62 is going to set you back way more than a rebore from JES.

I've had several 721 over the years before I started changing over to left handed. Never been disappointed with a 721.

I would love something in that category, but I am guessing the donor was a .300 H&H (i.e. LOA and all). I keep looking, but the "math", FPS, and energy keeps sending me back to 9.3x62.

The .400 Wehlen was in the running for a short bit, but just a bit too wildcat for me... and that this will be an heirloom gun for one of my sons... I just hate thinking long term about one of them NOT GETTING THE HEADSPACE MEMO.

Edit:

Mart, I DO appreciate the re-emphasis on the .400 Whelen and will put on my thinking cap again... the big pro to the 9.3 though is that brass and ammo are just 4 mouse clicks away... and quite reasonable.

And if I bob the barrel to 18"+/- pretty much anything bigger could begin to have excessive recoil for the boys (in such a light rifle) until they realize the receiving end is always far worse than the sending end. I am not recoil sensitive myself... at least thus far, that I have noticed.

Re: Remington detractor??? Say it isn't so! Had a guy bad mouth my Cummins 12 valve once too.

Edit #2... I have a .45-70 (Ruger #1), four 458 Socoms (I built two rifles and two pistols) and a .50 Beowulf as well... so the .400 Whelen "math" is kinda already in my collection.

Mart... you think the .400W would feed as well as the 9.3x62?

There is no "headspace memo" with the 400 Whelen. It headspaces fine on the shoulder it has and in 1000+ rounds of load development I never once had a failure to fire or had any of the mythical headspace issues falsely associated with this round. A google search for 400 Whelen will find articles of the late Michael Petrov which soundly dispel any headspace myth common to the 400 Whelen.

How exactly do you rebore a 63mm round like the .30-06 to a 62mm round like the 9.3X62?Won't that cause headspace issues? I thought you had to rebore to a cartridge the same length or longer?

Pic here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3%C3%9762mm

has me confused as to your question. Not trying to be rude, just understand where you see the shortfall.

Edit: Thanks Mart... that is how I saw it also (but not as well explained... thanks). The 0.055" short should hurt nothing on the feed IMHO. And we may start turning some of our own solids (various calibers) so that might also be a blessing if we try for 300+ gr.

If you compare the case dimensions of both you'll find the 9.3x62 is .055 shorter in overall length. The critical dimensions; base to shoulder, shoulder diameter and diameter at the web, are all greater in the 9.3x62 than they are in the 30-06. Hence the 9.3x62 reamer will clean up the chamber and the rebore itself will clean up the throat so that it can be correctly throated for the shorter neck.

Thanks Mart.

No problem. For future reference here's one of the handiest pages ever for cartridge dimensions.

cartridge dimensions

The Rem 721/722 are great actions. I have the rebored 721 that I pictured and a 722 in 22-250 and 300 Sav(original barrel)that are both fitted and can switch back and forth as needed, again set up in a 700 ADL stock. I'd tell you to ask the coyotes that have experienced this rifle to tell you about it but none have lived to tell the tale.

Rem 722, 22-250 LVSF barrel, 700 ADL stock, Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5x10.

Savage 99 said all Remingtons suck and break. The 9 that I own haven't broken yet (and actually shoot really really well) and lots of other folks say they are good rifle as well... Could he BE WRONG????? Golly gee... or must we all sell our Remingtons immediately????????????

Yes we must all bow to 99's sage advice. He knows whats best for everybody.

As an owner of quite a few 721/2s and a 700 as well as a bunch of 99s, it was interesting to note that old 99 never brought up the spring in the action of a 99 making it especially unsuited for the 22-250 and 284 (unless you consider 3 reloads from new brass acceptable).

IME the 721/2 is a superior rifle to any 700 which (with great effort) the bolt handle can fail. The "failed" extractor he showed showed all the signs of a way too hot load (note the case was not pictured), I have never had a 721/2 extractor fail even when tearing the rim off a way too hot 300 H&H. I did have a riveted 700 one fail in a 244 H&H I built. That cartridge is a rocket ship and runs off the scale pressures. A SAKO extractor fixed the problem for good.

A 721 dropped in any of the many 700 LA stocks sold by Numrich is not much work and is better suited to scope use.

Proceed, life is too short to debate this further.

best, Larry

100% agree... decision was made yesterday.

So this how I am proceeding now...

1) 9.3 x 62 Mauser with rebore by JES. 1:12 & 3 groove.

2) Replacement stock (still under design).

3) Optics... Kahles Helia C 1.1-4x24 scope with 7A (heavy plex) reticle in first focal plane (FFP).

4) Barrel bob between 18" and 21.5" (0.630" dia. at 21.5"). Still running software calcs. and selecting powders on loads etc. before making the final bob decision.

Footnotes... Jesse reluctantly agreed to thread the barrel for me. Working on a personal variation on this M/B http://precisionarmament.com/product/m4-72-tactical-compensator/ with external threads for a Bowers Group Vers 50 that I already own... (BTW, I am doing the same M/B design on a wide variety of stuff). M/Bs are permanent... the can is 100% optional.

Probably run cheap Prvi factory to break-in, test and fire form brass... then some custom projectiles (we are also turning our own solids... 0.375" diameter stock should turn very efficiently)... or ???

Am I missing anything?

Does Savage 99 need to sign off on this... or can I proceed without his permission?

I'll post pics when I get her done... 6 weeks or 6 months???

I do hope you show us the finished gun, it sounds interesting.

So...

1) 9.3 x 62 Mauser with rebore to JES yesterday. 1:12 & 3 groove.

2) Barrel bob at 20" and 5/8" x 24 threads (Jesse VERY reluctantly agreed to thread for me).

3) Wilson Combat muzzle brake http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Rapid-T...per-Suppressor/productinfo/SP-RTMBFB-30/

4) Bowers can http://www.silencershop.com/silencers/large-bore/bowers-vers-50.html (already own and 100% optional in useage... need to verify pressures).

5) Replacement stock (still under design... I may bob the existing stock aft of the pistol grip for an AR buffer tube (T spline reinforcement through the pistol grip) and a http://store.commandarms.com/products/SRS.html, Or maybe just stick with a beautifully figured BDL stock... Jury still out... may do both... 721 stock is of very finite value/quality, but if anyone considers bobbing to be sacrilege... happy to sell or trade.

6) Optics... Kahles Helia C 1.1-4x24 scope with 7A (heavy plex) reticle in first focal plane (FFP).

Prvi factory ammo runs me $22 a box... so cheap enough there for break-in, testing and fire form brass... then some custom projectiles (we are turning our own solids).

I'll keep y'all posted with pics over the next 6-26 weeks...

Finally got around to a 90% finished mark on her.

Hogue stock donated by a friend (display model with blocked mag well... so it took some Dremel work to fit well).
Recoil lug bedded and a great free float forward.

Kahles 1.5-6 (#4) in 30mm medium Leupold STD rings.

Had some spare R700 bottom metal.

Color coded "Double Cobra" P-cord sling (I color code all my calibers for safety).

Custom MB in process and custom Lane Scorpion .375 can in process.

Barrel bobbed to 20" and rebored to 9.3 x 62 Mauser.

Flitz and Permatex Anti-seize to float the bolt like butter (still working it). Runs great, but "butter is better".

VERY light... recoil is mild... ammo is cheap... accuracy is MOA and getting better.

Legal on elephants and under...

Very happy.

How she came to me on trade as a 1951 (IIRC) .30-06

In retrospect... I think Savage99 was full of crapp.

Cool.

That turned out great, liking the sling too. What loads have you run so far and what are you hoping to shoot out of it? The 9.3x62 is one of the all time great classic rounds out there and has only gotten better with age.......

You reckon..?

Nice project; thanks for sharing.

DF

Just cheap PP 285s so far http://www.selwayarmory.com/prvi-partizan-9-3x62-mm-mauser-285-gr-soft-point-box-of-20.html (harvesting brass mostly).

I plan to work up a "best load" with and without the can once the can is in hand.

Gun is very light and will still be even with the can. Recoil is very mild.

90% of my shots are under 300 yards, so she should be a good companion.

Good looking gun. You'll really enjoy the rifle and the round.

Keep an eye on Midway. They have 286 grain Hornady seconds from time to time for a good price. I got a couple of boxes for my 9.3x57 not too long ago.

Here are some loads that work.

That's really cool! I'll probably give this a good thought if I ever run on an old 721. How hard was it to get the 700 stock to fit? I have been considering restocking my 722, and maybe swapping the barrel.

What is your 722 chambered in?

IIRC, Mule Deer restocked his famous 722 in 257 Roberts with a 700 Mountain Rifle stock.

Following his lead, I did a 722 in 25-284 with a 700 MR stock, a 257 with a 700 BDL stock, and a 30-284 in a 700 ADL stock.

300 sav dated to 1950. The old red pad is cracking and hard, figure it's a good reason to try something with better ergs/weather resistance. If I did a rebarrel I was thinking of going 7-08.
30-284 is an interesting number. Performance?

Not hard, but had to take some metal... maybe .050 (guess) off of the top or the rear aluminum insert/screw guide. Had me stumped on why a poor fit until I figured that out.

Bedded front and recoil lug and came out perfect and very tight.

DumbassDon has never NOT been FOS.

So... the rifle came out well and enjoy shooting it alot... but do get tired of all the sissies whining about big booming recoil.

Anyway... while shooting my 721 in 9.3x62 Mauser (legal on elephants in Africa) at the range yesterday... a very petite young lady comes up and asked if she could shoot it. Of course, I said she could.

As it turns out Genny Thrasher can shoot an elephant rifle as well as an Olympic class air rifle... Very very nice young lady... kind of person that just makes smiles contagious... Great family there too. Fun stuff... I would guess she is 5' tall and #95 pounds soaking wet.

http://www.wvusports.com/profile.cfm?id=103228&sport=rifle

Did you keep the Hogue stock on it, or did you upgrade it?

Hogue for now, but I might B&C. Very light, short and comfortable. Had a custom Lane can made... gentle as a kitten with the can.

I have a bolt action 9.3x62, an Interarms Mark X mannlicher, and am thinking about having JES rebore/rechamber an extra Remington 760 in 30-06 that I have gathering dust.

Old post... re zeroed today...

You just gotta love an elephant gun (legal on elephants) that shoots well... uses super cheap ammo... and has relatively mild recoil.





She started her life as a 1951 Remington 721 in .30-06 that I took on trade. Sent to JES for a rebore and a bob on the barrel (20"). Had Cory Lane make me a custom .375 can (NFA legal)... while she was getting her new .366 rebore.

Picked up a used Houge... used Kahles 1.5 x 6.

Life is good.

She is very light and packs the punch of a .300 WM with 286 grain pills and is about as flat as a .308.

Ammo is abundant and about $22 a box...

----------------------------------------

Before...

It seems like those JES Re-bore guns always come out to be great shooters. Just for fun, I might have to keep an eye out for a Rem 700 in 25-06 Sendero or other heavy barrel version and have it shipped off to become a medium barrel 9.3x62mm. The extra weight would make it more fun on the bench, but not impossible for hunting from a stand.