Uh-Oh Bad Bore on the Remington 721 300 H&H

Well, looks like a made a rookie mistake when I purchased that Remington 721 in 300 H&H :banghead:. I guess my excitement of finding it over-shot my common sense. I did look down the bore but did not notice the ware nor did I bring my bore gauges with me (I was too far in the drive by the time I remembered).

Took the rifle out to the range last Friday and zeroed it at 100. The zero seemed to shift and I thought perhaps it was the vintage Bushnell scope. I could not even hit a 17"X17" target at 300.

Getting it home and cleaning it I noticed that the muzzle was gray, not shiny. Then found that I found that the first 1/2" from the muzzle is worn to the point that a bullet head will fall into it without issue. There is no throat erosion at the other end, I have not slugged the barrel yet though. I'm disappointed in myself :banghead:, but again its not easy to come by these in California so I'll just make the best of it.

I was wondering if anyone had a source for replacement barrels, new, used, or aftermarket for the Remington 721 in 300 H&H. Worse case I was thinking of counter-boring the existing barrel if the slugging shows it within spec. That is if I can find a competent gunsmith to do it; I do not have access to a lathe otherwise I would have it done already.

Counterbore might be the immediate option while sourcing another barrel.

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Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

Counterbore might be the immediate option while sourcing another barrel.

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Well, I have been bouncing back and forth on this one. I really love this rifle and can't see just settling. Seems original barrels are few and far between. I found a place called McGowan Precision Barrels https://mcgowenbarrel.com/ that can make a custom barrel for it and cut the barrel to the factory contour including the "sight bump" as it is on the original barrel, I'll have to solder the front sight on myself though.

The price of course is about the same I would have to pay for another 721 in 300 H&H, but I can't see letting a rifle like this be subpar and end up a safe queen. I certentaly would not sell the rifle like this.

So I figure that this will become a 100% hunting rifle - this year's deer season being her first - and a rifle I will hand down to one of my kids. I'll just buy another for my collection later.

I know what it's like, I've had a couple like that myself.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I know what it's like, I've had a couple like that myself.

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I guess on the bright side I'm going to have one very accurate Remintion 721 300 H&H rifle when it comes back with the McGowan Precision Barrel. I suppose I could have cut down the barrel by an inch and saved a bunch of money, but it would have kept eating at me. Luckily 721's are not really highly collectible so they can still be had at reasonable prices.... Just need to watch the auctons.

counter bore it. I have a 8mm mauser that had the same condition, and I countered bored it 1/4" with a 3/8" rotery bur in my hand drill. Made all the difference. Yours being 1/2" would be a lathe job.

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Originally Posted by usabaker

Just need to watch the auctions.

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I already looked, you'll find one. I only found one in 300 Win.

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Originally Posted by rugersworld

I countered bored it 1/4" with a 3/8" rotary bur in my hand drill. Made all the difference. Yours being 1/2" would be a lathe job.

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Yours ideally would be done with a special drill bit too.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I already looked, you'll find one. I only found one in 300 Win.

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300 WIN MAG would be fun. I have a Remington 783 Bolt-Action Rifle with Factory Scope in 300 WIN MAG. Bought it 2015 and it still new in the box, I've never shot it. I only bought it because it was on the clearance shelf - It's an ugly rifle that has that small ejection port.. LOL but I could not say no to a 300 WIN MAG at just over $200.00 US

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...400sh400-1.jpg

Try to find some Laupa .3095” bullets.

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Originally Posted by steveu

ry to find some Laupa .3095” bullets.

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Don't know it it would have made a difference because the rest of the bore is fine and the .3095" would be swaged down by the time it got to the muzzle and worn area. Makes no difference though, I already sent the rifle off to McGowan Precision Barrel to be rebarred with a custom barrel that will be cut to the original profile.

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Originally Posted by usabaker

I already looked, you'll find one. I only found one in 300 Win.

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Jim, Where did you see the 300 WIN? I've been digging for it but not able to locate it.

Thanks
Bill

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Originally Posted by usabaker

Where did you see the 300 WIN? I've been digging for it

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I suspect it's this one which I think may be for a 700. Didn't take notice at the time, I think this is it. Doesn't do what you want either, does it?

Remington 300 win magnum 26 take off barrel NICE! | eBay

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Originally Posted by usabaker

I already sent the rifle off to McGowan Precision Barrel to be rebarred with a custom barrel that will be cut to the original profile.

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That's better anyway.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I suspect it's this one which I think may be for a 700. Didn't take notice at the time, I think this is it. Doesn't do what you want either, does it?

Remington 300 win magnum 26 take off barrel NICE! | eBay

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Okay I misunderstood you Jim, I thought you found a Rem 721 in 300 Win Mag.

From what I understand you can put a Rem 700 barrel on a 721. I'll send over pictures when my rifle comes back. They told me it will be about 16 weeks

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Originally Posted by usabaker

I thought you found a Rem 721 in 300 Win Mag.

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No, I thought I found a barrel though. Guess I didn't read it closely or thought Google had delivered correctly. Your current fitting will be far better I think. Looking forward.

Well a classic rifle in a classic caliber is a cool thing, but as a wall hanger not so much. My advice would be a rebore/rechamber to 338 Win Mag. Probably more than another rifle but a solid alternative. The 338 is shorter but it will shoot like a house on fire with the right loads.

Dave

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Originally Posted by Wineman

My advice would be a rebore/rechamber

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He's already got it away for rebarrel...

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Originally Posted by usabaker

I already sent the rifle off to McGowan Precision Barrel to be rebarred with a custom barrel

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I had a McGowan barrel installed on a Ruger single shot rifle, it was a heavy barrel in 308 Win. i milled the bottom of
the barrel flat so it would not come in contact with the hanger. Also glass bedded the fore-arm. Accuracy was far below
my expectations. My friend had a McGowan barrel in 25-06 installed on a 1903 action, accuracy was average. Now these
Mcgowan barrels were from the original location in St Ann, Illinois so maybe the new owners have a better product

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Originally Posted by RCS

I had a McGowan barrel installed on a Ruger single shot rifle ... Accuracy was far below my expectations. My friend had a McGowan barrel in 25-06 installed on a 1903 action, accuracy was average. Now these
Mcgowan barrels were from the original location in St Ann, Illinois so maybe the new owners have a better product

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Well, crap RCS... I guess I should have asked first. The reason I ended up with them is because they were the only ones that were willing to taper it exactly like the factory barrel (for an additional $50 that is) to include the sight bump. I didn't want to have a big opening in my stock that was inletted for the sight bump and I didn't want to have a filled spot. Guess I will just have to wait-n-see. I'll do some loads for it once it comes home, getter to the range, and report back.

I guess I never showed you guys this.. Here is that 721 Barrel..

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...04/300hh-1.jpg

The "new" McGowan barrels should work out and you need that barrel profile. There must be larger gun shops with gunsmith services that have
Remington "take-off" barrels that they would sell

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Originally Posted by RCS

There must be larger gun shops with gunsmith services that have Remington "take-off" barrels that they would sell

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I exhausted every source I knew of. But because these rifles were manufactured between 1948–1962, 59 years is a long time to hold onto take-offs and this was not an overly popular rifle to begin with.

The rebarred Remington 721 in 300 H&H came today! The barrel looks fantastic! I took pictures with the old and new barrels and McGowan did a great job matching the factory profile. Can't wait to get it in a stock and at the range.

Attachment 119589Attachment 119587Attachment 119588Attachment 119586Attachment 119590

In the second photo the McGowan profiling job is FAR better than the original Remington. The rot was setting in even then I guess.