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.
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 ???
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.
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.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
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.
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.
Last edited by CashisKing; 02/27/15.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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.
Last edited by CashisKing; 02/28/15.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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.
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.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.