Remington 720

[Eric4]

I was about to purchase a T3x SL in left hand the other day, and when I brought it up to my dad, he said "What about Mack's old deer rifle?" and went into his closet to pull out a Remington 720, owned by our old neighbor, and my fathers earliest hunting partner, Mack Johnson.

When he handed it to me, I was told "this has killed more deer, than you and I ever could." He was right, as Mack used this rifle for decades, as the main method of putting food on the table for his family in eastern Oregon. Mack was known as 'shoot em in the neck Johnson' and used this rifle to win many local competitions too.

It's an early 1942 model in 30-06 with a 22" barrel, likely just before the Navy took production.

When my dad inherited it, he apparently had the local gun shop scratching their heads, but now with the internet, I was able to find out more about the 720's interesting history.

I'd like to get it up and running, but wanted to hear some recommendations first. It hasn't been used in at least 25 years, but the bolt operates without binding, although it's a bit lethargic. Should it go directly to a smith?

Photo Album Link

 

[TauPhi111]

What i would recommend would depend on what you want to do with it. Do you want to modernize it and give it new life and hunt with it for a long time, or do you want to keep it in it's current form and hunt with it for nostalgia's sake, and maybe just get it to cycle a little cleaner?

My dad's friend who i got my first deer with also has had a 720 for a long long time. They are pretty good guns.

 

[Eric4]

What i would recommend would depend on what you want to do with it. Do you want to modernize it and give it new life and hunt with it for a long time, or do you want to keep it in it's current form and hunt with it for nostalgia's sake, and maybe just get it to cycle a little cleaner?

My dad's friend who i got my first deer with also has had a 720 for a long long time. They are pretty good guns.

Since it's not in a showroom condition, and a history of being hunted hard, I don't mind making some changes to modernize things and keep using it regularly.

The scope might be the first step, as the current one is a challenge to see the reticle...

 

[Axlrod]

There is one on gun broker for $3600. And an original box for one for $1000. Only 2500 of these were made. Yours looks like it has a model 721 stock, all the 720's had checkered stocks and a checkered steel but plate. Cool gun

 

[Runningwater]

I'd clean it up and see how it shoots. If it shoots reasonably well I'd pretty much leave it alone and enjoy it as is - with the possible exception that I'd probably find an old weaver el Paso scope to put on top (ideally with a center post reticle!).

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I would give it a good slow cleaning and oiling, find a fixed 4 or 6x scope for it and see what ammo it likes. It apparently has proven itself in the past. It would be cool to continue the legacy.

 

[Eric4]

Thanks for the replies! My first plan is to get the gun cleaned and operating smoothly. I'll post some updated photos to see how things clean up.

 

[TauPhi111]

Yes I'd say your first thing after cleaning would be to put modern bases, rings, and optics on it. I think stocks for the M700 can be made to fit the 720 without much hassle - but I'd look into that first cause I've never tried. If you want to keep the original stock, a bedding and pillar job can't hurt. Depending on how the finish is on that stock, if it were me, I'd give it a cool camo paint job. I'm not sure if there are any trigger upgrades you could do, if it even needs one. Paired with some modern ammo, it should make a sweet hunting rifle for a long time after all that. I think it would be cool to continue using that rifle but with your own personal touches to it that makes it yours and unique.

 

[mtmuley]

Wrecking (in my opinion) rifles with history like that shouldn't be done. If you want a modern, camo stocked rifle, get one. They don't make Remington 720's anymore. leave it as it is. mtmuley