Options for an old Rem 721 30-06?

[blackdog]

I have my dad's old gun sitting in the closet and have been wondering what I can do with this old gun. Not looking to restore it or maintain any sentimental value, but more so a newbie trying to figure out what my options are for rebuilding it into something more than the old 30-06 it is now. New stock will be needed. New barrel as well as the present one is shot. But what are my options are far as rechambering it into something else?

Thanks

 

[backwoods83]

Quick answer for you, 95% of what works on the remington 700 will also work on your 721 and 722s as well, they were the 700s parents!

 

[blackdog]

Thanks. That I do understand. What I'm not at all familiar with is what you can re-chamber a 30-06 into. I would lime to know what I could build this into as I'm not interested in rebuilding it as another 06.

 

[backwoods83]

With the bolt it has now 22-250, 243, 6mm, 250 sav, 25-06, 260, 6.5x284, 270, 280, 284, 300 Hawk, 338-06, 308, 35 whelen and numerous other wildcats with a .473" rim, if you switch to a magnum bolt you can do anything from a 257 weatherby up to a 375 RUM.

 

[roninflag]

where are you . what do you want to shoot? what caliber would you like ??

 

[blackdog]

I live and hunt out West so preferably I'd like something to hunt mid sized game, primarily Blacktail and Mule deer, and antelope occassionally, as well as perhaps a coyote or two. It would not need to be an elk cartridge. And most of the hunting is spot and stalk from longer range, whether it's open Miley or antelope country, or shooting across canyons into blacktail clearcuts.

And I will be reloading for whatever is built so no restrictions to OTC ammo.

6.5-06 perhaps? 280? Love to hear suggestions with that type of game in mind.

 

[sniper1958]

Why not stick with the .30-06? Unless you are looking for a project like rebuilding the rifle, stay "as is" and work up some awesome loads. JMHO....

 

[backwoods83]

If your still looking for suggestions the 284 Win in a long action with a long throat or a 280 AI is 2 good combos to get 3000 fps with 168 bergers from a 26" 9.5 twist barrel. Personally I think the 284 is more fun to tinker with and the 280AI your limited to nosler or making your own cases.

 

[blackdog]

As far as just sticking to the 30-06, the gun seems to need a new barrel anyway, so I'm thinking why not make some improvements in performance while I'm at it.

Regarding the caliber options, I read through the recent/ongoing thread on 260 vs 6.5-06 and also did some reading on the 280AI. It starts to seem that for what I'm after, they all would be a good fit, as well as the 284 just mentioned. I understand the 280AI improved takes some work to 'make' brass but didn't really understand that whole process and while at the Nosler store this last weekend, suffered a little sticker shock looking at the price of their 280AI brass. Wow!

So, considering those calibers, are there conversion complications to consider (new bolt, etc)? And what are the issues with forming or buying brass for them?

(These may be stupid questions and I should probably have started this thread in the 'getting started' section, but I appreciate the help)

 

[fj40mojo]

I live and hunt out West so preferably I'd like something to hunt mid sized game, primarily Blacktail and Mule deer, and antelope occassionally, as well as perhaps a coyote or two. It would not need to be an elk cartridge. And most of the hunting is spot and stalk from longer range, whether it's open Miley or antelope country, or shooting across canyons into blacktail clearcuts.

And I will be reloading for whatever is built so no restrictions to OTC ammo.

6.5-06 perhaps? 280? Love to hear suggestions with that type of game in mind.

Taking into account the game you've targeted here I think the 6.5-06 would serve you well. Had you said you may someday want to go after an elk I'd step up to the .280AI. Forming brass from Norma .280 isn't difficult, mild load seated to touch the lands. Don't forget that 6.5-06 is available in an AI variant too.

 

[backwoods83]

I'd go with the 284 win it is at no disadvantage to the 280AI and there is no forming brass, nothing has to be changed and is at its best in a long action.

 

[blackdog]

I'd go with the 284 win it is at no disadvantage to the 280AI and there is no forming brass, nothing has to be changed and is at its best in a long action.

Does that mean the 284 win is built off the 06 case? And uses the same bolt?

 

[elkaholic]

As far as just sticking to the 30-06, the gun seems to need a new barrel anyway, so I'm thinking why not make some improvements in performance while I'm at it.

Regarding the caliber options, I read through the recent/ongoing thread on 260 vs 6.5-06 and also did some reading on the 280AI. It starts to seem that for what I'm after, they all would be a good fit, as well as the 284 just mentioned. I understand the 280AI improved takes some work to 'make' brass but didn't really understand that whole process and while at the Nosler store this last weekend, suffered a little sticker shock looking at the price of their 280AI brass. Wow!

So, considering those calibers, are there conversion complications to consider (new bolt, etc)? And what are the issues with forming or buying brass for them?

(These may be stupid questions and I should probably have started this thread in the 'getting started' section, but I appreciate the help)

You could rechamber with one of my Sherman reamers and not need any bolt mods. You will end up with short mag performance in an '06 size case. Parent case is .270 or .280 so brass is cheaper and readily available. I have a 300 reamer if you want to stay with 30 caliber. I get 3050' with my 190 grainers in a 28" barrel. I also have a 6.5 reamer which will get you 3200" in a 26" barrel with 140 grainers. My friend is currently building a .280 sherman by cleaning up a .280 A.I. with my 6.5 Sherman reamer. In other words, the possibilities are endless.........Rich

 

[owlhoot]

While stationed at Ft Sill OK, there was a range where off-duty GIs could target practice with their own arms. A sgt next to me had a Rem 721 .30-06. He set up 5 M1 clips at the 100 yd line and proceded to knock them down very quickly. I was very impressed with Remington in general and the 721 in particular.

I've seen advertisements for take-off barrels (GUN DIGEST the MAGAZINE, SHOTGUN NEWS, etc.) Perhaps a M700 bbl would work on that 721. Perhaps a .260 Rem on the long action, to seat heavier bullets in the case neck only. On the short action, these must be seated deeper and encroach on powder space. The 'o6 was nice when there used to be lots of surplus ammo, but it has more recoil than a lot of folks like.