[Gunhead]

I'm doing a little research on the history and predecessors of the Reminton 700. I know about the Remington Model 721 and 722, but some sources claim that the true ancestor is the British P14 / US M1917 rifle.

What similarities, common characteristics the M1917 and Remington Model 700 have? I failed to find any information on this subject...

Thank you guys, in advance!

[Jim Watson]

They are both bolt actions. Other similarities are very limited and general.

The geneology is
British Pattern 13, .280 Enfield
British Pattern 14, .303
US 1917, .30-06
Remington 30, various calibers including .30-06 and .257 Roberts.
Remington 720, various calibers; few made just before WW II.
All the above are closely related in design and manufacture. I have read that close examination of 720 will show where leftover 30 and even military parts were recycled.
End of the category of forged and machined Remingtons.

fast forward to 1948

Remington 721, 722, various calibers in new design with cylindrical receiver, recoil lug clamped on by barrel shoulder, clip extractor, plunger ejector, two or three piece bolt, many stamped parts.
Remington 725, upgrade of 721 with safety like pre-war models.
Remington 700, development of 721 action, more calibers, better cosmetics.
Also Remington 600, 660, and 7 short actions and XP100 bolt action pistol on the same basic design.

[Jim K]

When the M1917 contracts were cancelled after WWI, Remington had on hand some two-three weeks worth of parts, in various stages of completion. That was enough to allow Remington to build sporters for the next 20 years. In one sense, Remington never "made" a Model 30, 30S or 720; they were all modified M1917 actions (receivers, bolts, trigger guards, floor plates, followers and springs, and in some cases barrels as well were all M1917 parts).

The only resemblance between the later Model 721/722/700 and the M1917 was in the shape of the bolt sleeve and the right side safety. The Model 725 was new made, but deliberately designed to resemble the earlier M1917-based models; it was a dead end and relatively few were made.

Jim