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Remington Model 721

Alan RushingAlan Rushing Member Posts: 8,805 ✭✭✭
edited June 2013 in Ask the Experts
I'd read a couple different times that the Model 721 is supposed to be the strongest ( American? ) bolt action ever built.

Did not know if that is merely one or more peoples opinion/s or based on actual fact.

Could anyone here fill us in on the actual physical,realities/comparisons of the 721 vs. other makes and models of bolt action rifles.

(( I know that many folks think that the 721s look "cheap" and ugly and maybe even . . . "bbut" ugly. Sorta like Coyote Love, the morning after! ))

Hello and thanks for the comments and input - appreciated!
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Comments

  • Ray BRay B Member Posts: 11,822
    edited November -1
    The 700,721 & 722 all have the same bolt arrangement. Remington advertises it as strongest and used to use the three rings of steel thing (which is the ring on the bolt that goes around the cartridge rim/base), the barrel and the receiver ring. I don't know how it's measured against other actions since the brass will melt and cause blow back before the steel would fail. The advertised strength is also the inherent weakness of the design. bolts with flat faces (most older bolts with outside extractors) put the contact between bolt and barrel at the base of the cartridge- which is where the cartridge is the thickest and strongest. The recessed bolt face as on the 700/721/722 puts the contact at about the web of the case, which is much thinner and has less strength. Tolerances require the there is space between the bolt and barrel, so it's your choice- a strong action that exposes the cartridge at its weakest point or an action considered less strong but exposes the cartridge where it is strongest. I'm more concerned about the brass batch in a box of cartridges than in the steel of the rifle that is a constant.
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  • eastbankeastbank Member Posts: 4,052 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    there is a difference between strenth and being able to handle hot gases, the remington 721-700,s are very strong,but all bolt actions will let some gases back in a bad blow up. the remington 760-7600,s are not as strong,but will handle hot gases better,directing the gases down and out the magazine well buldging the reciever and wrecking the trigger group,but will save your face and eye sight. i looked at a .243 760 rem. that had a massive overload fired in it and i mean a massive overload. the rifle was ruined, but the shooter only had a broken finger from the trigger group and magizine being blown down and out. with loads recomended all rifles that are in good condition are safe if the human element is taken out. eastbank.
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  • CheechakoCheechako Member Posts: 563 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get a copy of Vol II Handbook For Shooters & Reloaders by P.O. Ackley. Chapter one is a 22 page article on the strength of military actions. It does not include the Rem 700 series specifically, but it is an eye-opener. You'll probably be surprised at the data.

    Ray
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  • john carrjohn carr Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I never had a 721 but did have for a while a 722 chambered in .222 Remington. Very similar guns. I blew the primer out of a cartridge in trying to duplicate a load posted in Gun Digest, I think using IMR 4198 powder. The action showed no signs of failing and no gas or powder particles came backward. As to thinking they were ugly, I think they were beautiful. In fact better looking than the Model 70 .220 Swift I replaced it with. Some may not agree.
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