Mod 721 Custom Build Questions....

[Sapphire]

I've got a gun that I am hesitant to tear apart... but heck, I dont use it anymore and will NEVER sell it, so why not make it more useful... Its just your standard old 721 06' with the standard old stock. Great shooter, but not what I'm looking for...

Where to start? Most likely have to get the action trued up?

New Barrel.

New Stock.

Thats about it huh? I have a Timney on it now, but am new enough to the serious shooting game that I dont know if its a good Timney or is acceptable in general...

I am thinking I'd like to build a lightweight mountain gun out of it...then I can build my Mod 70 300 Win into a heavier, Plains gun....

Thanks for any advice...

 

[Sapphire]

What are the favorite barrels? I haven't seen Lilja mentioned hardly at all... being a Montana guy... I would like to lean that way!!

I can go lightweight with a heavier barrel if I get it fluted right??

Sorry, my mind is racing on this subject right now....

 

[gr8whyt]

What are the favorite barrels? I haven't seen Lilja mentioned hardly at all... being a Montana guy... I would like to lean that way!!

I can go lightweight with a heavier barrel if I get it fluted right??

Sorry, my mind is racing on this subject right now....

I chose a Lilja barrel for my 700 Rem build project. Barrels from all the top makers are all about the same cost, and they are all hand lapped and make wonderful rifles. So I chose Lilja just for exactly what you said. I wanted to keep the business in Montana. And having read everything I could on all their websites, it seemed Dan Lilja seemed very knowledgable. He also had some in-stock barrels, and one that fit my needs. And that alone shortened up the build timeline by 2-3 months.

-- gr8whyt

By the way, my smith called today...my rifle is built and is being shipped today! The next couple of days until it gets here are gonna be hell!

 

[Sapphire]

What did you get Great White??

I cant wait to start this build...not sure when it will be....

 

[gr8whyt]

What did you get Great White??

I cant wait to start this build...not sure when it will be....

My new rifle started as a 700 Rem in 7mm RM. I've added B&C Medalist stock, Williams bottom metal, Jewell trigger, Lilja 27" 25 cal. 10 twist 3 groove #3 contour barrel. It is chambered in .25-06 AI. Action is bedded and barrel floated. All work done by Charlie Robertson at Score High Gunsmithing. Charlie is a great guy and a terrific gunsmith. When Charlie called me yesterday, it sounded like he was pretty proud of it, so I'm confident it's gonna be a monster.

At first I wanted a little heavier contour barrel than the #3, but it was in stock at Lilja, and as I said, that cut the build time by 2-3 months. I think it'll work fine and be a little lighter for carry. Scope is a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42. Did I mention the wait is hell?

What are you thinking for your build? I've heard the 721 Rem makes a good start, but I haven't seen one finished. Good luck with it.

-- gr8whyt

 

[Sapphire]

Great,

I really dont know yet. Since I am JUST learning about this stuff...I go one way one hour, then back the other the next hour! I am swiveling back and forth on building a true longrange tactical beast (12-15# gun) versus something more funtional that I will carry around more, use for elk and such.

I could do the 721 action with a new barrel in a fluted 5 or fluted 4 and put it on a good stock... or just full bed my original stock and paint it.. and have a sweet rig...

Or, I could put a heavy barrel on it and put it on a bell and carlson tactical...

Still not sure on caliber. Its a long actino... bolt face is for a 30-06 now. It would depend on if I decided to lean towards an elk/mountain gun or a deer/lope prairie gun. 300 or so vs something like 6.5.....

Ernie

 

[cahunter805]

Ernie, Since you already have a 300win I would suggest you turn that 721 into a nice deer/antelope rifle. A 6.5-06 would be perfect IMO. Also the 721 is basically the same thing as a M700 so you have a good action to start with. Throw it into a B&C stock or HS precision and have yourself some fun.

 

[gr8whyt]

Ernie,

I think both of your visions are pretty well thought out. Best thing to do now is decide which one is more important before the other. Do you have access to a good carry rifle for hunting? If you have something to get you through for a while hunting, go for the heavy tactical rifle. If not get going on the lighter carry gun. Whichever way you go, figure on best part of a year (or more) before it's ready to start load development. So that might figure into it too. Good luck with whatever you decide.

-- gr8whyt

 

[rpatowers]

Some years ago I used a 721 as the basis of a custom rifle in 280 Ackley Improved. It worked great. The 721 trigger can be honed to a very nice trigger if you don't want to replace it. It looks a bit cheap, but it works. I'd also recommend putting a Sako extractor on the bolt - my stock 721 extractor went south very early in the project. I stocked the rifle with an HS Precision thunbhole stock, which made it very comfortable to shoot both in the field and from the bench. You would need to custom order it from H-S - there are some subtle differences from the standard 700 stock. I put a Hart barrel on my rifle. It shot 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips very well - 1/2" with the best loads. I also used 100 gr Sierras for coyotes. Very effective.

I later sold the rifle to my deer hunting partner and he has made several 400 yd+ shots on deer with it. I have first right of refusal if he ever wants to sell it.

The 721 is a great action for a custom rifle. It is just as good as a 700. Good luck and have fun.

 

[pacowboy]

Can understand you wanting to keep your work local in Montana. But if you want to do a rebuild to a great gun at a reasonable price call Bobby Hart. (570) 752-3655 He will rebarrel with a good Hart barrel, accurize the action, bed your stock or has Bell and Carlson stocks on hand. Bob will talk you through everything and help you decide what is best for you.

Great guy and makes great guns and will become a friend in the process.

 

[Sapphire]

Thanks Tom, will keep Bobby in mind. From what I've heard, you'd have a hard time going wrong with him!

 

[TexasHunter]

If you really want to update the action, you can get a whole new bolt from PTG with any face you want. Plus you can get all the updated extractor, firing pin, handle stuff you want. Then you can choose whichever cartridge you want.

Otherwise, I would build either a 6.5-284 or a straight 284 since you have a 300 mag in the battery already. I'm starting to think the best combo of cartridges for hunting just about everything out long (up to dangerous game that is) is a 6.5-284 and a 338 win/ultra/edge.