reduced loads in 742 Rem

[BBF]

 I have a Rem 742 with a 18 1/2 barrel that shoots reduced loads without any cycling problems. Having seen a number of posts in regards of jamming on this model and even on the newer offsprings I am wondering if my rifle is exceptional. I bought it used several years ago and wouldn't know if anything was modified other then the barrel which I had cut back.

The reduced load the rifle shoots without hangups is the minimum load from the 5th Edition of Sierra with 44.5 gr of IMR 4895 pushing a 150 gr. bullet. The manual shows a MV of 2600 fps from a 26" barrel.

With 7.5" less barrel I figure a MV out of the carbine  around 23-2400 fps which puts it right alongside of a 30-30.

Has anybody else got a Rem.  semi that does that??

[Ranger J]

My 742 has shot every load I have ever put in it except for some severely reduced 2400 150gr loads thet I once made for my young daughter to shoot.  They shot well but you had to 'hand eject them'.

RJ

[targshooter]

The 742 .30-06 I owned in the late 1970s shot a lot of military duplicate 150 grain loads with no problem regarding function; these being what I consider mid-range loads. The present 7400 .30-06 Carbine I own has no problem with mid-range loads with 150 or 180 grain bullets. The exception is with 220 grain bullets using IMR 4350; for this I need near maximum loads (about .5 grain umder max in Hornady Manual) for proper cycling.

[saltydog]

My 30:06 shoots reduced Varget loads in 25-2600 fps range 125 gr. bullets fine.  Biggest challenge was moving to RCBS small base dies as my chamber seems to be overly sensative to size of brass.