I Have This Old Gun: Remington Model 720 Rifle

Published on September 7, 2018
Duration: 5:36

The Remington Model 720 was a bolt-action sporting rifle developed just before World War II as an upgrade to the Model 30. Its production was largely absorbed by the U.S. Navy for wartime use, resulting in a limited production run of approximately 2,500 units between 1941 and 1945. These rifles, initially intended for civilian markets in calibers like .270, .257 Roberts, and .30-06, became rare collector's items, with some later repurposed as trophies for Navy shooters. The Model 720 is also noted as a foundational design for the later, highly successful Remington Model 700.

Quick Summary

The Remington Model 720 was a bolt-action sporting rifle introduced just before WWII as an upgrade to the Model 30. Its production was largely absorbed by the U.S. Navy, resulting in a limited run of about 2,500 units. Available in .270, .257 Roberts, and .30-06, it's now a rare collector's item and a precursor to the Remington Model 700.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Remington Model 720
  2. 00:19The WWII Impact on Model 720 Production
  3. 00:27Predecessor: Remington Model 30
  4. 00:45Evolution to the Model 720 Design
  5. 00:55Key Features and Improvements
  6. 01:06Market Release and Calibers
  7. 01:19Production Halt and Navy Acquisition
  8. 01:28A Chapter in Remington History
  9. 01:33Competition with Winchester Model 70
  10. 01:55US Navy Storage and Destruction Order
  11. 02:08Major Cam Hayden's Intervention
  12. 02:34Model 720 as Navy Trophy Rifles
  13. 02:51Collectibility and Rarity
  14. 02:51Foundation for Remington Model 700
  15. 03:09Acquiring a Model 720 Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Remington Model 720 rifle?

The Remington Model 720 was a bolt-action sporting rifle introduced by Remington right before World War II. It was intended as an upgrade to the Model 30 and featured design improvements like a beefier stock and a faster lock time, aiming to compete with rifles like the Winchester Model 70.

Why is the Remington Model 720 considered rare?

The Model 720 is rare due to its limited production run of approximately 2,500 units between 1941 and 1945. Most of these rifles were acquired by the U.S. Navy for wartime use, and a subsequent order in the 1960s led to the destruction of many remaining units.

What calibers was the Remington Model 720 available in?

The Remington Model 720 was offered in three popular calibers: .270 Winchester, .257 Roberts, and .30-06 Springfield. The .30-06 was particularly noted as a strong contender for this rifle.

What is the historical significance of the Remington Model 720?

The Model 720 represents a brief but interesting chapter in Remington's history, often called 'what might have been' due to its short production life. It also served as a foundational design for the highly successful Remington Model 700 rifle.

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