An ugly duckling of a 722...updated with range test

[weatherby]

Not sure on this one if it was loved and used a lot or hated and treated with no respect. I lean towards loved as the metal is immaculate.
The poor stock didn't fair as well in the last 70 years.
There was not a square inch that wasn't chipped, nicked, or gouged.

I saw potential and with a price tag of 150. OTD.......... why not.
This one is chambered in 300 savage.
It is to be a gift for a girl I hunt with.......I'm like an uncle to her.

A before to give an idea.


an after of the same section


How it is shaping up.




Who knew they hid such nice wood under all that gloss ?

 

[Remmark54]

Actually a nice gun and one of my favorite calibers. I download 30-06 to savage velocities for woods use when in Minnesota hunting with family. Plus easy on my tired old shoulders. I'd rather take a used gun and "fix it up" like what you are doing way more than buy new or pristine. She should be happy with what you are doing for her.

 

[weatherby]

She will be Sir.....that I already know.
I was privileged enough to be there when she shot her first deer from my stand this year.
they are nice guns I have one in 222 that can drive tacks.

 

[Drm50]

I have never had a 300S in 722, but had 257 in about same
shape as yours, shot like a champ. I have had several in 222
and still have one that looks new that was bought new by a
uncle. Has a K10x on it and still a tack driver. I've had several
721s too. Also good rifles, in fact I prefer them to 700s. I hope
you took those see throughs off. I just started loading 300s
again for a #81 I just got a few months ago. The last 300s I
owned were 99 Savages. The cartridge has no trouble killing
deer.

 

[rburg]

OK, I'll risk getting shot for this post. If you're going to that much trouble, I also want to see a picture of the girl.

My remington (not bothered to push the Caps key) was less than good. I bought a dream rifle for me that was a 721. It gave new meaning to the word awful. I've moved to other brands. Better luck with them, too. Too old to care about luck with the girls, but she's got to be something special to warrant a rifle and the time to fix it up.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

About 35 years ago a Remington 722 in .300 Savage came to me in a trade deal. I was familiar with the cartridge from my earlier use of the Savage 99 and I like it. The 722 was the forerunner of the Model 700 series short action rifles, very well made and strong while overall pretty much 'plain jane'.

Mounted up a 4X Burris scope. Loaded up a bunch of ammo. Accuracy was always excellent. The 722 is relatively light weight and easy to carry all day while hunting. .300 Savage offers plenty of power for Colorado mule deer or elk (very similar to the .308 Winchester, but not as capable of using heavier bullets; I stuck with 165 grain bullets for hunting use).

I'd rather have that old used 722 back than just about any of the current production rifles on the market.

 

[weatherby]

For you Mr.Burg

Recently with her first deer out of my stand.

 

[22hipower]

Very nice; deer, gun, and young lady too. Very nice job on the stock too. I have a 722 that someone re-barreled to 250 Savage which is waiting for one of my grand kids to get big enough to use. Mine has a Rem 700 BDL stock. Folks here may, or may not, know that it isn't much of a job to change out the 722 stock for a 700. Not that anyone would need to do so with a stock that looks as nice as the one weatherby has shown us.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[weatherby]

Nice looking rifle Jeff.
In a cool chambering to boot.
Thanks for the compliment.
I had no idea until after sanding it had such potential.

 

[mauser9]

Actually nice looking rifle weatherby. Got some great figure in that walnut. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Homie]

Great story with a happy ending!
Quick question from a long removed Mass. native- Are rifles legal for deer now in Mass.?

 

[weatherby]

Not for deer.
Bear Coyotes and other things yes.
Same woods.
That girl the rifle is going to is a trooper.
The holes in that deer are entrance ones.
She shoots 3 1/2 inch lightfield slugs.

 

[Homie]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[rburg]

OK, this is just a bit off topic. Anyone remember the days when there was a stock maker named Bishop? I think in Missouri. You could order a blank or fully inletted stock for about any rifle. I wish I'd had the presence of mind or the finances to order up a deluxe stock back then. Some had great figure in the wood.

The OPs gun is looking good. A field rifle doesn't need to be presentation quality. Just solid as all get out. The rifle is on its way. She should keep the photo shown to warn off any young man that upsets her.

Thanks for that photo, I bet a lot of guys here will like it. I know I did.

 

[D Brown]

An ugly duckling of a 722

Amazing that there was such nice grain hidden under that old factory stain. Beautiful job on the restoration weatherby, and great follow-up narrative. Thanks for posting.

 

[30-30remchester]

I am not a Remington 700 series fan though I have owned quite a few. I always found them quite accurate though. Being a design "freak" I can pick apart a number of things I do not personally care for. One thing that the 700 series has in spades is strength. Two people I know have fired 308 Winchesters in 700's that were chambered for 270 Winchester. Not permanent damage was suffered by either rifle. Earlier this year I was handed a 721 in 257 Roberts that had issues. I tried to remove the bolt but it was stuck in the receiver. When I finally the bolt out it had been flared out at the faces and the extractor broke. The owner was having issues with his reloading. The diameter of the bolt across the lugs was 6 thousandth larger than when it left the factory. A massive overload had been fired. Ruined the bolt but nobody hurt.

 

[67whaler]

Nice work on the stock. Lovely young lady,and she is very lucky to have you as a surrogate uncle!

 

[weatherby]

For Mr. Burg and Mr. Brown.

Here is some of the backstory and how I became an adopted uncle.
She started out as a good friend of my nephew.
Her father was very ill when I first met her.
She showed up at my house with my nephew for a range trip.
In the conversations she expressed an interest in hunting and had no one to show her the ropes. My nephew and I volunteered to take her out.
With her father being ill I helped her pick out her gun.
That season she saw many deer some she could have touched....all bald and she was hooked. Come Spring her father passed.
This was just before turkey season.
I got her out and managed two birds in two days.
I think we had some help there.
That's when I became the uncle and her gun guy.

Through the years I helped with different ones I thought were both useful and appropriate for her interests. I once found a deal too good to pass up on a couple high standards. one became hers. She paid her half and it is
a favorite and special to her.

Sorry I'm not a great story teller but may give an idea on why.
and another picture for Mr. Burg.

First the highstandards and then first range trip with them.
I think it was the same day.......I know it was.
Brutally cold......that I remember well.....but did they shoot magically.
I expect the same smile with the rifle.
unless I include a note and get tears.

 

[walkinghorse]

Does not get any better than this!

Nice job weatherby !!!

 

[weatherby]

Does not get any better than this!

Nice job weatherby !!!

It does get a little better Sir.
and you know Mr. Burg That's why enough for me.
She wants to help get my son his first deer Tuesday.