Gunsmithing remington 721 extractor problem

[rifleman1981]

I have a remington 721 and the damn extractor keeps rolling and locking up my ejector plunger, I sent the bolt to my smith and he put a 700 extractor in it, and that made things worse, a 721 has a lip on the bolt face, and the 700 ejector makes the case hang up on the lip, and the original extractors seem to be non existant. Anyone ever remove the lip off of one of these bolt faces and install a sako extractor??? better yet, who can I get to install one for me thanks, Joe

 

[GasLight]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

I am sure there are several people who can install a sako extractor onto you 721 bolt. I would consider the M16 extractor too. I have a 722 bolt with a sako in it, function seems fine, so I wouldn't hesitate to go that route, it will likely be better than a factory extractor if you could find one anyhow.

Dave

 

[rifleman1981]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

Dave, who installed your extractor, and not to seem daft but i guess i never really paid all that much attention between the two extractors, I assume the m16 is better when considered an option?

 

[GasLight]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

The M16 is pinned in. Though the Sako rarely has troubles, it can experience them. The M16 is a more solid option in my opinion. The 722 action I have already had the sako in it when I got it. I think any reputable smith would do a fine job of installing either extractor option....

 

[rifleman1981]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

my smith does a really good job, sometimes not flawless cosmeticly, but I have never seen him turn out a rifle that didn't perform exteremly well, having said that, for some reason lately all he wants to work on is remington 700's, surgeons, and stillers, no custom threaded bolt handles, no sako style extractors, no opening up feed rails etc, im looking for another smith to do some work as I am thinking mine is getting burnt out

 

[GasLight]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

I am currently having Nathan Dagley of Straight Shot Gunsmithing do a couple bolt handles for me. I think his work is well regarded, but like I state above, there are many well qualified smiths that can do work like this, and many site vendors. They support the site, so it is good practice to support them as well.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

Don't really know how your smith could make a 700 work? My guess is he is using the new pop in type and not riveted. However, the 721/722's are shaped different and there is no changing the shape of spring steel so I can understand why it would never work!

Think I have a couple of 721 standard extractors left? $45 mailed. PM me if you want one.

Respectfully,
Dennis

 

[stiller]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

If you put in a Sako or M16, the extractor lip ends up higher on the lug. If the bolt is designed for it with the ejector at 3 oclock, they work good. Factory Rems with the mod can have issues with the case hitting the scope because of the ejector placement. If you can get a factory extractor to work, it is better.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

This will probably explain better the difference between the 721/722 standard extractors and newer 700 types.

Top are for the older 721/722 rifles.

Second are the newer 700 snap in started later 80's. Not sure of exact date!

Third is the rivet type used on the first 700 standard bolt face. The early 222,222mags and XP100's used the same type of extractor for several yrs as the 722's did, up into the early 6 digit 700's for sure!!!

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Dennis

 

[Eagle1899]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

721 extractors are rare as hens teeth. I finally got a like new one from my gunsmith that was doing a different build for me.
He had taken it out of a 721 to put a sako in for a benchrest customer. It works as pretty good but still gets "turned" in the bolt face sometimes. If you have ever owned a 721/722 you know what I mean. The 721/722 family was replaced by the 700 for good reasons. Triggers on them are also a little different.

 

[rifleman1981]

Re: remington 721 extractor problem

we modified mine to take a jewel trigger, all that this requires is a minor milling process where the safety goes