Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Remington 721

You know, those extractors look about the same. Obviously, they're different. One would think that Remington or some aftermarket vendor would be making those parts.

I wonder if the 722/721 bolt could be machined to accept the 700 extractor. Better still, if one has a problem and can't get the part, just get the bolt machined for a Sako or AR type extractor.

DF

LOP desired achieved by leather add-on. Built up cheek with moleskin under slip on bullet holder. Stock is bedded and don't know where it came from. Had to epoxy trigger pin in place -- could have had it galled by 'smith but I needed to go kudu hunting. (It was blocking safety due to slipping out of place.) Excellent accuracy with handloads. Two kudu, one at 281 yds. Mountain reedbuck at 260 yds. Off 3-leg shooting sticks.

You CAN get a 721 bolt fitted with a sako extractor. It ran me about $125.00 a few years ago to do so. You cannot use the 700 extractors in them, in fact, you can't use the modern 700 extractors in some of the older 700s (I have one from the 60s and the extractor went a few years back, and sent the bolt to Remington for a new one, and they said, don't break this one, as there aren't any more). I didn't break the one in it, just got OLD and cracked. If you're going to keep the 721 and it's working okay NOW, use it the way it is, I didn't read all the remarks yet, so don't know the whole story. Then look for someone who does the Sako extractor. I got mine done by some guy in Minnesota, I think. Sent the bolt off and it was back, in a week with the new extractor.

There was a blow up test done, in the 40s right after the 721s came out, by General Hatcher, and the 721 came out on top as the strongest action, having take a full case full of proof powder, with a 180 grain bullet, and 5 more 180s pushed down the barrel on top of the load, and it just locked the action up. They stopped there, as felt the barrel might come off. I can't recall which action came in 2nd, but the 03, 17s, mausers, etc., all blew way before that level was reached.

IF you do a search on Sako extractors installed, you can probably find the guy who did mine. I was "customizing" my 721, and had the extractor put on it, a new model 70 type safety, and new bottom metal. After all that have only shot it a few times, as it's a 270, and I have a 280 that I hunt with, so don't use it.

just checked and go to donwhite4456gmail.com, and he does the Sako extractors.

Good info, ghost.

I guess one forfeits the magic "three rings of steel" with that alteration. But, to me being able to extract ones cases trumps a 200,000 psi blow up test capacity.

DF

A good gunsmith may be able to fit a Model 700 extractor to a 721/722 series rifle. I think it would require drilling a hole in the bolt and riveting it in place, but it should be cheaper than going with the Sako extractor.

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The M721/722 stocks have got to make for one of the "kickingest" rifles out there.

A Decelerator pad would undoubtedly help, but a M700 stock does wonders........

Casey [/quote]

The 721 stock came in two comb heights, original low comb for iron sights and a later straighter comb version.

The low comb version did kick the snot out of me. I later put the straighter version on my 721 and it is now a very comfortable stock to use.

If I had to restock a 721 today I would get a Boyds walnut 721 stock and call it good.

Not a bad idea.

Probably the most bang for your buck, especially if you can bed and finish a stock.

DF

Do you have any specifics on that, i.e. cost, etc.?

That may be less expensive and you'd still have those "three rings of steel" to talk about...

DF

DF, I've never had the procedure performed on any of my rifles but a comparison of a Model 700 bolt to a 721/722 bolt would seem to indicate that such an operation could be performed. I read about it long ago, but I can't remember where..... old age is a terrible thing.

+1 on advancing maturity...

DF

Instead of walnut, which will be pretty plain, I'd get the Nutmeg, brown laminate, and stain it dark. I have one like that on my 6.5-284 and it looks like an expensive stock. I did have it checkered in a Winchester pattern, by Errol Case in MO. I'm no beginner at finishing stocks, just not quite in the same class with Karnis...

The dark brown laminate looks better than plain walnut and is stronger, IMHO.

DF

I've owned at least 10 different 721/722's over the years. Good solid rifles with a lot of 700 parts interchangability.

Don't let the extractor worry you a bit.

Contrary to popular misconception and internet legends a riveted 700 extractor can be fit to a 721/722. I've done two myself. It's not a job for a hand drill as the location of the rivet hole has to be very close. Mine were both .473 bolt face, maybe a .378" bolt might be a bit tougher but the procedure will be the same.

I never changed a thing on my 722 in .257 Roberts...but it had an old Bishop walnut stock already installed when I found it.

It shoots 117 grain factory Hornady ammo into less than 1/2 inch and has never shown anything but perfect reliability (including the safety, the ejector, etc.).

Those old 722/721 barrels were very good. I've not heard of one that wouldn't shoot and the ones I've had or knew about did really well.

DF

I have 721's in 300H&H, 30/06 and 270 and a 722 in the original 244. The 06 & 270 were hunted hard for over 50yrs. The 721/270 is the most accurate 270 Ive ever owned.

Nothings ever broken. I own more in those series than in 700. They are one of the best sleeper buys out there.

O

This is my 722 in 257 Roberts. It was Mike Walker's favorite deer rifle. I was lucky to be able to purchase it and his Mod 37 Remington rimfire.





It has a Lyman Alaskan also. Both of Mike's rifles that I have show Mike had a chance to look through Remington"s wood bin.

WOW! ....... Veddy nice in a lot of ways.



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If I were to need an extractor in a 721 bolt, would send it right back to Remington, as they'd have the parts, and or people with knowledge and ability to "do it right". I had my 700 bolt to two different gunsmiths who were unable to find an extractor, though one did install one that looked okay, but didn't work (he took it back out), and that's when I sent it it Remington. Cheaper in the long run, and less time consuming than having a local "smith" try to find the parts, etc. You will hear that there are 721 extractors out there, but try finding one. As I noted before, even the newer 700s use a different extractor than the 60s one I have and Remington said, hope this one lasts, as no more available. The installation of the sako extractor doesn't detract from the bolts strength, as it fills in the area where the cut made for it. The big problem on mauser and such bolts is, they don't entirely seal off the chamber and back of the cartridge case, so leave space for it to blow.

The other problem , if it is one, on the 721, is the stamped floor plate which looks junky. As a few have noted, that can be replaced with a modern 700 one, or one from Williams rifle products, or Borwnells, which is all steel and looks very good.

Every now and then you will see a M721/722 with a floorplate
from an Arisaka installed on it.

If I found a Remington 721 (in 30-06) or a 722 in any caliber for $300 (in good conditions), I'd grab it!