Rem 721 vs Rem 700

[CJ6]

I have the opportunity to buy either or both rifles chambered in 30-06. They're both from the same guy and condition is equal between the two.
Any pros or cons between the two models.
They/it would be used for project gun/guns . TIA.

 

[DGP4]

I have a 1950 Rem 721 in 30.06. I also have a couple of Rem 700s in different calibers. That is not a very large sampling, but I think the build quality of the 721 is superior. I have shot a 2-inch group at a little over 400 yards with the 721, but it is used exclusively for hunting. My only negative on the 721 is the stock. It seems made to shoot iron sights with the drop of the butt. I put my 721 in a Boyd's walnut hunter stock. The factory trigger is excellent. If you're going to tear it apart for the receiver, it probably doesn't matter which one you choose.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have a 1950 Rem 721 in 30.06. I also have a couple of Rem 700s in different calibers. That is not a very large sampling, but I think the build quality of the 721 is superior. I have shot a 2-inch group at a little over 400 yards with the 721, but it is used exclusively for hunting. My only negative on the 721 is the stock. It seems made to shoot iron sights with the drop of the butt. I put my 721 in a Boyd's walnut hunter stock. The factory trigger is excellent. If you're going to tear it apart for the receiver, it probably doesn't matter which one you choose.

Not to disagree, but I did a 721 a few years back that by the barrel code was built in 1949. I bought it out of a Pawn Shop for about $290. It was pretty rough.
Of course, the only thing I used was the action, which I completely trued.

To put it mildly, it was no better or worse than any Remington 700 I had ever trued. The threads were not in the middle of the bolt way and the action face was not square with the threads.

It did make a fine custom rifle, HS Precision stock, Krieger Remington Varmint Taper barrel, Jewel Trigger, bushed bolt, topped with a NF 8 to 32 NXS Scope. All of the metal is parkerized.

It is in 3006, and shoots great.

 

[DGP4]

Like I said, my sampling of one is hardly large

I probably got lucky. My rifle came from a seller in California about5-6 years ago and looked to be near perfect shape and shot very little. From everything I have read, age has little to do with the luck of the draw.

A month or so ago, I saw this article which some of the hunters here might enjoy reading.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | No Ordinary Rifle

For a half-century, a Remington Model 721 in .30-’06 Sprg. proved accurate and rugged, and became one of the most trusted rifles for professional hunter Harry Selby.

www.americanrifleman.org

Cheers!

 

[SBS]

Lot more stocks & triggers available for the 700, plus trigger safety sets closer to the receiver. Extractors for the 721-722 have not been available for many years -- except by chance.

 

[biggun2869]

I've got a 722 and I have had it in a H-S Precision stock for a 700. Gary

 

[SBS]

I've got a 722 and I have had it in a H-S Precision stock for a 700. Gary

Yep, but you usually have to relieve the bolt handle slot and use a 700 trigger. If you use a 700 trigger with ;a side safety, you have to mill a flat on the RH side of the tang for the lever. Lot easier if you have the choice to pick the 700. Have also used a 700 bolt in the 721/722 so that the bolt handle shape matches 700 inlets.

 

[Will Henry]

The extractor in the 700 is larger than the extractor in the 721. The bolt handle shape is better. However, if the 700 is very recently manufactured, it is likely to have little or no primary extraction due to a defect in manufacturing.
I like the trigger in the 700's better than the 721. I don't like the two-piece sear. The safety button on the 700 is better located and better shaped. The 700 bottom metal, if a BDL, is either better or worse depending on your point of view. Depends on whether you prefer a steel stamping or an aluminum casting .
I would buy an early '70's 700 over a 721. I might even buy a newer one over the 721, but I would be aware that I was probably going to have to move the handle. WH

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yep, but you usually have to relieve the bolt handle slot and use a 700 trigger. If you use a 700 trigger with ;a side safety, you have to mill a flat on the RH side of the tang for the lever. Lot easier if you have the choice to pick the 700. Have also used a 700 bolt in the 721/722 so that the bolt handle shape matches 700 inlets.

the 700 bolt works in a 721/22?

 

[SBS]

Yes. Plus using a 700 trigger places the finger piece in the correct position in a 700 stock (using a 721/722 trigger in a 700 stock doesn't turn out well). In short, replace all parts except the receiver with 700 parts.
EDIT: Also keep the bolt stop & original bolt stop spring. Isn't worth it to machine the receiver for the 700 bolt stop spring plus it doesn't work any better.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yes. Plus using a 700 trigger places the finger piece in the correct position in a 700 stock (using a 721/722 trigger in a 700 stock doesn't turn out well). In short, replace all parts except the receiver with 700 parts.

helpful, I have a few older actions/rifles.