Remington 721 Scope Base Questions

[462]

Long qualifier: My son-in-law asked me to change out his Remington 721's scope. No problem, except the existing Buehler bases and rings are not compatible with the replacement scope. Or, rather, I refuse to attempt to remove the rings and re-use them (I posted another thread about removing the rings). The replacement scope is mounted on another rifle with a one-piece Weaver base and Weaver rings, but the base won't work on the 721. My thought is to buy Weaver two-piece bases and use the existing Weaver rings. Searching through Weaver's base PDF showed their numbers 35 and 36 bases will fit the 721 and 700. But, due to the age of the rifle I don't know if the mounting holes were factory drilled and tapped, or were done at some later time. The two front holes are 7/8" center-to-center and the rears are 5/8" center-to-center.

So, my questions:
1. Are the hole spacings factory?
2. Are the spacings the same as on the 700?
3. If so, can I figure the 35 and 36 bases have the same spacings, and will fit?

I called the very knowledgeable local gun store owner, but the Chinese flu has turned him into a one-man operation and he is taking appointments only, but he hasn't returned my call.

Any help appreciated.

 

[RicinYakima]

I have a 1949 Remington 721 and it was factory drilled. Same as 700.

 

[462]

Thanks, Ric!

Do you think, then, the 35 and 36 Weaver base holes are spaced to fit correctly?

 

[Matt]

I’ve always been able to interchange scope base parts between 721, 722, and 700 Remingtons as long as one piece bases are short for 722s and long for 721s. My very early 722 .222 is drilled and tapped to take the two piece Weaver bases listed for the M700. Should be a snap to make the scope switch.

 

[462]

Thank you, Matt!

I didn't consider a one-piece base, thinking it would interfere with case ejection. The two-piece bases will work, now knowing they will fit properly.

Hopefully, the existing screws will be of the correct length.

 

[RicinYakima]

Thanks, Ric!

Do you think, then, the 35 and 36 Weaver base holes are spaced to fit correctly?

Don't know, but the Redfield Junior one piece base for a 700 fits perfectly.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I would go ahead and purchase the two piece Weaver bases and assume the rifle was drilled and tapped at the factory.
1. The odds of success seem to be favorable based on RicinYakima's 1949 Model 721.
2. You wouldn't be risking a lot of money.
3. If the hole spacing turns out to be incorrect, you could return the bases or modify the bases to fit the rifle.

I tend to prefer two piece bases because they often give better access to the ejection port and they usually allow you to use 4 screws instead of three.

 

[462]

Thank you, everyone.

I'll call my son-in-law, if he approves I'll order the pair of bases that are sitting in my Amazon shopping cart.

 

[Outpost75]

My .30-'06 Model 721 accepts the current production Weaver 2-piece bases for the long action 700.

 

[462]

My .30-'06 Model 721 accepts the current production Weaver 2-piece bases for the long action 700.

Thank you!

Got my son-in-law's approval and ordered a pair from Amazon.