Too many options

[Creekrat82]

So I did some horse trading with a guy and ended up with a Remington 721 action that I want to use for a build. As of now it is a completely blank canvas and it came with a mag and std faced bolt for it as well as the original trigger and a Kwik Klip bottom metal set. I do plan on trueing the action but want to end up using one of the original bolts. Call it nostalgia. I have elk and other big game covered with my 300wm so I’ll probably go with something a little smaller that isn’t a 6.5. This will be a hunting rifle that I want to keep under 10lbs scopes when it’s all said and done.

 

[Fast14riot]

Why not make a classic cartridge hunting rifle out of it, something like a 257 or 6/250?

 

[DaveTooley]

257 Roberts would be a good one. One of the best deer rifles I owned was a Rbts.
Another good one maybe a 7X57?

 

[std7mag]

I too am a fan of my 257 Roberts.

Seeing as to how the 721 is a standard(long) action, and it was originally chambered in 280 Rem, that in and of itself may be another consideration.

I have (2) 280 Rem rifles, and like them very much. 100gr varmint bullets-168gr Berger VLD. (At least that's what i've run through mine so far)

The sweet spot seems to be in the 150gr range. And will anchor everything from groundhogs to elk with nary a worry.
I've mostly been using the Nosler Ballistic Tip, and the ABLR.

And it has nowhere near the recoil of your 300.

 

[pintopete]

Creekrat82, that is a great action. The only minor glitch could be the extractor. If it wears or breaks, they are not easy to come by and are a discontinued part last I checked. In any case, great action. It is not only a long action but can fit 3" OAL cartridges in the magazine if I am not mistaken. In a 722 in .257, and even .244, the magazine length is too short for bullets seated long so that they are close to the rifling. Ken Waters talked about this in his books. I'm a huge .257 Roberts fan. You have big game covered, so maybe for varmints? .257 Roberts, .244 Remington, .220 swift? What about an Ackley version? .280 is very good as is the .270...

Best of luck, Peter.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Nobody has mentioned the 25-06 yet.

 

[butchlambert]

Nobody has mentioned the 25-06 yet.

Walt, I didn't offer as it is the worst cartridge that I have ever fooled with.

 

[butchlambert]

Creekrat82, that is a great action. The only minor glitch could be the extractor. If it wears or breaks, they are not easy to come by and are a discontinued part last I checked. In any case, great action. It is not only a long action but can fit 3" OAL cartridges in the magazine if I am not mistaken. In a 722 in .257, and even .244, the magazine length is too short for bullets seated long so that they are close to the rifling. Ken Waters talked about this in his books. I'm a huge .257 Roberts fan. You have big game covered, so maybe for varmints? .257 Roberts, .244 Remington, .220 swift? What about an Ackley version? .280 is very good as is the .270...

Best of luck, Peter.

You can also use an M16 extractor if you can't find another. I have a 722 in 257 Roberts and have had no broken extractor.

 

[Creekrat82]

When I true the action I will have a Sako or m16 extractor installed. I hadn’t even given the “Bob” a thought but I’ll definitely have to look in to it some more.

 

[Shawnba67]

243 with an 8 twist will do all a 243 ever could and more!
With an 8 twist and some of the new powders (rl26)its almost a new round

 

[Liven The Dream]

The Rifleman's Rifle . .270 24” Barrel
AAA Walnut Stock .

 

[Creekrat82]

Just picked it up and it looks like someone has had it in a lathe and squared up the face as well as the threads. Of course I’ll chuck it up and verify but the bolt is snug in the raceways.
I think I’m leaning towards a 270.