I am considering re-barreling my 30-06 M721 to .375 H&H. I realize the bolt face will need to be opened. Can a Remington extractor be fit, or will it need to be a Sako type? Will the actiion rails need any work?

I'd see if I couldn't find a bolt/follower out of a magnum based 721. That would take care of everything for you straight-away. Since it's an ADL type mag, you'd have to change the follower if it wont handle the larger cases... I don't know if it will or not since mine is already in 300 H&H. Have you tried shoving some 375 cases into the mag? That's the quickest way to find out!

Maybe it would be worth your while to call Remington customer service and ask a couple of questions, such as:

Who would they reocmmend to do the work? (Often they will sell parts to guys like that, which they would not sell to any other 'smiths.)

2) Will the Remington Custom Shop do the work, and how much would they charge? Probably way too much to even consider, but what the hey, shouldn't cost more than a telephone call to find out.

After you've finished talking to Remington, you might consider one other approach. Why not use a Model 700 "Magnum" bolt? They will fit just fine with no extra work, as you are going to have to re-headspace no matter which bolt you employ. And I think they have a nicer looking handle anyway...........

quote:

Originally posted by gzig5:
I am considering re-barreling my 30-06 M721 to .375 H&H. I realize the bolt face will need to be opened. Can a Remington extractor be fit, or will it need to be a Sako type? Will the actiion rails need any work?

Since the 721 was also made in .300 H&H, exactly the same as a .375 H&H except for neck diameter, I see no reason why the 721 couldn't be made for the .375 as well. You might even find a magnum-sized 721 or 700 bolt for sale as a part.....

Hadn't really considered a new bolt, but I don't have much hope for finding one reasonably priced. I know someone is making new ones, but they aren't cheap either. I am really just trying to figure out how much work/cost this is going to be for modifying the bolt. If it is too much, I think I will just go with a .35 or .375 Whelen Ackley Imp or maybe a 9.3x62. I don't think I would be giving up too much the the H&H and I imagine it would probably ruin a moose's day. I just thought it would be nice to have a rifle in the classic H&H caliber that could be used in Africa if I ever got there.

I need to look at the magazine and follower as well.

So, any info as to whether the Sako extractor must be used?

If the price of a new bolt is beyond what you are willing to pay for this conversion, then I suggest you drop the idea entirely...go with your other thoughts, a .35 or .375 or.400 Whelen, or a 9.3x62, something based on the '06 case head and rim diameters....

You probably don't want this job done by some chuckle-headed shade-tree gunsmith, and the "time-cost" of a good 'smith will easily eat up most or all savings in cost achieved by not buying a new bolt.

As for having to have a Sako extractor, that is a matter of opinion, not fact. I wouldn't use a Sako extractor on any Remington bolt for any purpose, but that's just MY opinion. Go with what you feel comfortable with.

I got into a beater 721 a few years ago and decided I "needed" another 375 H&H. The extractor wasn`t good and so I installed a M-16 [AR-15] extractor after opening up the bolt to magnum. Works slick and positive. Finding a replacement extractor was virtually impossible so that is why I went to the AR-15 style. Also! The AR is less intrusive to install than the Sako I think. The Howa is a virtual clone of the AR and sometimes cheaper too.

Aloha, Mark

Mark,
You wouldn't happen to have a print of the M-16 extractor conversion would you?

Are you the same Mark that did some work with the 375-284 a few years ago?

Greg

Greg,

What about chambering for one of the cartridges that use the '06 head dimensions?

For example there are .375" wildcats on the .30-'06 case, and also the .240 Weatherby (belted case, but same size as the '06).

My M721 started out as an '06, but is right now a 7 mm Express (same cartridge as the .280 Rem).

jim

Jim,

The .375 H&H is enticing for a possible future Africa trip. I am aware of the various '06 variants.
Greg