Remington 721 Scope Mounting

[Norman Dog]

Hello everyone. I've been lurking off and on around here for awhile and just decided to start participating with a Gunsmithing question.

I just bought a Remington 721 in .30-06. I noticed that the receiver ring has two tapped holes on top, as you would expect, for attaching a scope mount. The bridge (I hope I have that term correct - I mean the rear portion of the action), however, only has two tapped holes on the left side and none on top. Is this the way these rifles came from the factory, or did someone quit after drilling and tapping just two holes?

I have Weaver mounts that are supposed to be for the 721, but the rear mount is clearly meant to be attached with screws into the top of the action. Is there a mount that uses the holes on the side of the rear portion of the action?

 

[Jim K]

AFAIK, the Remington 721 was always drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and there should be two holes in the top of the rear receiver bridge. Remove the bolt and look up under the bridge to see if perhaps someone, for some reason, had the holes welded closed or maybe plug screws put in and polished down. If that were done, the rifle would have had to be reblued.

Jim

 

[Norman Dog]

If someone plugged those holes, they did one heck of a job - I can't see evidence of that anywhere! I wonder if it was a factory mistake? Maybe I just can't see...

It would be strange to plug the holes on the bridge but not on the receiver ring.

I guess I'll just get my gunsmith to D/T a couple of holes where they are supposed to be so that I can get a scope on this rifle.

 

[Jim K]

It could be a factory goof, but it would be the only one I have ever seen. Anyway, having the holes drilled should solve the problem.

Jim