Ambushed by a 721

[Guy Miner]

Was making the rounds of the gunshops yesterday, actually handing out info on gun safes and gun locks as part of my job. When out of nowhere came a really nice old .30-06 Remington 721. Dang, didn't see that coming. I only had $50 in my pocket, so it's still there at the shop, with my name on it. Decent straight grain walnut with good checkering. Some 3-9x not-so-hot scope on it. Didn't care about the scope, a straight 6x Leupold is going to find a way onto it eventually.

Bore looks good. I like the all-steel bottom metal. Really a nice older rifle. They were made from 1948 - 1961/62. I sure hope this one turns out to be a shooter. Particularly with 180 gr Noslers... Just what I needed, another older rifle project... :grin:

Photos later, when I get it home. I'm a sucker for old Remington rifles and for the .30-06 in particular. Sigh...

 

[6mm Remington]

Guy have one of the more severe cases of RADD that I think I've seen in a while! You don't even have that first project finished up, the Bee I believe, and now are well on your way to number two! Way to go sir, now I can supress my purchase desires by just reading about yours. You might have to read the book The Grasshopper Trap with the story called Gunrunning in it to get some helpful insight as to how you are now going to get that in the house by the real boss!

I must say a 30-06 is pretty tough to resist! You probably read my Bubba did it in Cloverleaf's little segment about his first glass bedding job where I describe in detail about taking a buddies 257 Roberts in gosh I cannot remember the 721 or 722 and telling him I'd refinish the stock for him. Broke the stock, fixed it, and he also got a brand new Fajen for his rifle out of the deal. No, I just put it out there right now, I won't refinish your stock for you! :shock:

Excellent purchase.
David

 

[SJB358]

My first real centerfire rifle was a M721 30-06. My father picked it up and asked me if I wanted it. I shot it about 3X and decided I wanted an M70 7RM. It was pretty nice, but had those big see thru mounts on it. I didn't know much back then and traded it off for the M70. It is the only trade that I have ever regretted. Have not owned a 30-06 since then. Great score Guy. Looking forward to seeing this rifle. Scotty

 

[HeathSexton]

Have not owned a 30-06 since then. Scotty

Dude! Que asian accent - "Scotty-san, you rifa iz nota comrete grassahoppa"


Guy, great pickup on the old Remington, we need pictures.

 

[DrMike]

Super find, Guy. I'm certain the pictures will reveal a great rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Have not owned a 30-06 since then. Scotty

Dude! Que asian accent - "Scotty-san, you rifa iz nota comrete grassahoppa"


Guy, great pickup on the old Remington, we need pictures.

Heath, I bought a 30-30 this past Winter, just so I could not be claimed as UN-American. I have two 300 mags, 30 Carbine, and a 308, so I figured with a 30-30, I would still be allowed to keep my citizenship. I love the 30-06 case, when it is in a 25 Whelen form or the 35 Whelen. Just don't see a 30-06 as really sparking a ton of interest. Although, with the right M70, I could be persuaded I believe. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I never wanted a 30-06 until I saw a cute little CZ with Mannilicher stock. It shot well, but not spectacular. I traded it in on a 300 WSM. A couple years back, one of the new Model 70 FNs chambered in 30-06 was unboxed. It had the prettiest wood I had seen on a factory rifle in many years. That one had to come home with me. I'm not anxious to rid myself of it. The cartridge is so pedestrian that no one can imagine doing anything overly exciting with it. It just kills game of all sizes cleanly and efficiently. It is not an exciting cartridge, but it does work. I would think in the 721, it could have some interest, Scotty. Or perhaps you will stumble onto one of those earlier FN Model 70s hiding in some out-of-the-way gun shoppe.

 

[SJB358]

I am always keeping my eye out for the right one Mike. I saw a nice M70 Sporter with a Leupold on it a few months ago, just before I bought the 264. Thought it would have made an excellent 6.5-06. Kinda lost interest as when I went to look again, I found my 264 in the rack. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

My grandpa has a 270 win in a 721. I worked up some 140 AB loads for him several years ago, and was suprised at how well that "beat up old rifle" shot. I love hearing the stories that go along with that gun.

Hope yours shoots good as well.

 

[JD338]

Guy,

Nice 'ol rifle for sure. Congratulations on a nice find.
A Leupold 6x42mm would be an awesome choice of glass!

JD338

 

[SJB358]

My grandpa has a 270 win in a 721. I worked up some 140 AB loads for him several years ago, and was suprised at how well that "beat up old rifle" shot. I love hearing the stories that go along with that gun.

Hope yours shoots good as well.

Man, I can imagine there are some M70 and 721's/700's in the 270 and 30-06 that could tell some stories. Being about the two most popular cartridges ever. Can't imagine some of the cool stories they would have after a lifetime of hunting. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Guy, Had one under .75" all day long!

When Big Green was actually Big Green!

 

[BK]

The girlfriend's late grandfather had a 721/722/725 in .300 H&H with a 3-9 Leupy on it. When Jim died, her uncle ended up with it. I've been trying to get him to part with it, but no luck so far. But I'm gonna keep trying!

Nice find, Guy. I love cool old rifles like that. I currently have my uncles 725 in .270 back home. One of these days I'm going to get a scope on it and try her out.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

great find guy, have never owned a 30/06, had a 30/30, never again, however I did buy a 270 to keep from being deported.
RR

 

[boolit]

Was making the rounds of the gunshops yesterday, actually handing out info on gun safes and gun locks as part of my job. When out of nowhere came a really nice old .30-06 Remington 721. Dang, didn't see that coming. I only had $50 in my pocket, so it's still there at the shop, with my name on it. Decent straight grain walnut with good checkering. Some 3-9x not-so-hot scope on it. Didn't care about the scope, a straight 6x Leupold is going to find a way onto it eventually.

Bore looks good. I like the all-steel bottom metal. Really a nice older rifle. They were made from 1948 - 1961/62. I sure hope this one turns out to be a shooter. Particularly with 180 gr Noslers... Just what I needed, another older rifle project... :grin:

Photos later, when I get it home. I'm a sucker for old Remington rifles and for the .30-06 in particular. Sigh...

I sure hope this one turns out to be a shooter

Oh, they are..... :wink:

 

[SJB358]

great find guy, have never owned a 30/06, had a 30/30, never again, however I did buy a 270 to keep from being deported.
RR

RR, I think we are the only two on here! I bought a 270WSM to fill the void of the 270 and the 30-30 to make sure I get to stay in the US.. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I was actually looking at a .30-06 700 CDL to compliment my .25-06 700 CDL, and for hundreds less the 721 sure looked good. Never had a 721 before, have owned several 700's since getting my first one back in 1974. This isn't some kind of rare rifle, just what appears to be a nicer than average, old .30-06 Remington. On the other hand, it's a LOT newer than my current .30-06 M1917...

Photos and range report after I haul it home. Didn't have $300 cash with me and have been working or sleeping since I tagged it.

Regards, Guy

 

[BK]

Yeah, no fun when you can't get back to pick up your new toy. Try being 1000 miles away.

 

[nitis]

Dad has a 270 an an HH in 721. Killed my first four poit with the 270... neck shot

He used to have an 06 too but sold it. About six months later he found one in 264. I have still not seen one in 280 but supposedly they exist and that's the only five calibers they built.

 

[Hegland]

Great find, Guy. Cannot wait to see the pictures. Congratulations!