Author Topic: Remington semi--reliable? (Read 2343 times)

Mayor of Hobbs Knob · « **on:** June 25, 2006, 04:18:15 AM »

I hunted for years with a Remington pump 30-06, but after my heart surgery the recoil was just to punishing and I sold it. I got drawn for a moose permit this fall and have no heavy rifle. Would like a Remington semi in 30-06 because it feels so much like the pump I carried for years but it is much kinder to the shoulder. Also, I want to keep the cost down because after I get my moose I'll probably never use it again.

However, the dealer I buy many guns from will not take in or sell the semi's because he has had many problems with them. Doesn't really say what. You guys who know Remington autos, is there really a problem?

I've had great luck with avdice on other GB forums. Can you guys help?

Thanks!

30-30man · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2006, 03:18:48 PM »

Please take the advice of your local dealer. I've owned several semis from Remington. The 742 and the 7400. They were very inaccurate to my taste. 3.5 to 4'' at 100 is about all I could get mine to do. They both would jam after about every other shot. I sent the 7400 in to a repair center once but it would still hung up. I have since sold them. Remington doesn't make a semi worth the dough in my opinion. The Browning BAR in 3006 is about the best out there in a semi. My brother in law has one and it is sweet. Recoil from a Remington semi is sharper than with the Browning. The BAR has a better gas reloading system. If it is only one trip, I believe I would use what I had on hand. The ammo companies are now using light recoil ammo with about the same energy as the full power stuff. I think they would be plenty powerful enough to take a moose. A semi will be over a $1000 once a decent scope is added. My.002

nrb · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2006, 02:40:30 AM »

For over 35 years, I have used a Rem 742 and more recently a 7400 in 3006 for deer. I frequently fire these at my range for load testing. Both these rifles are scoped with excellent glass, and they give 1.5 inch or less accuracy at 100yds. Neither rifle has ever jammed, and I have fired hundreds of rounds in each. Their recoil is mild compared to my bolt 3006's. These are my go-to hunting rifles. Several of my hunting friends also use 742's as their deer rifles with NO troubles. There are thousands of folks out there using these rifles with no troubles and with great success. I would recommend them for you.
best, nrb

sniperVLS · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2006, 05:44:36 AM »

I put several rounds thru a friends 7400 and thoroughly enjoyed it. As far as I know, he still has it and uses it regularly. Last summer his round count was around 600 and he said he had 2 jams which took place within the first 50 rounds fired. After that it never happened again(maybe an ammo thing?).

Odd thing is I downloaded the 2006 .pdf from the Remmy website the other night and was skimming thru it and came across the 7400 and the 750 Woodmaster and the wheels started a 'turnin :-D

The new Sendero comes first but I might have to pick one of these semis up

ScoutMan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2006, 08:44:14 AM »

Mayor,

You didn't indicate what you are using now that you got rid of your 06.

I agree with 30-30 man. Use what you got now. Get a tough construstion bullet like the Nosler Partion, Barnes X, or the Swift.

Moose are usually taken at less than 100 yds. Get as close as you can and plan on taking a good rest. Don't take any "MA brain shots".

Like Sex, accuracy and penetration are more important than power!!

30-30man · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2006, 04:46:12 PM »

Mayor,
There is no question Remington has sold many semis that people have enjoyed for years. It's just that for the money I think the Browning is a better gun and has a better track record. It's just a little bit more money though. One more thing , I hate to get in the way of any feller trying to find an excuse to buy a new gun but have you tried a recoil pad on your pump along with some reduced recoil ammo. I believe a 220 grain slug in 3006 from any ammo maker would drop a moose. I've never hunted moose but I have killed hogs with the reduced recoil stuff and it works just as good as any ammo out there.

dave375hh · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2006, 04:34:38 AM »

I don't know anything about the reliability of either the BAR or the Rem 7400. I did shoot a new Brng auto with the boss in 30-06 and the recoil was no more than a .243. I also didn't notice the blast at all. I'm sure it was there I just didn't seem to notice it. I was too astounded by the lack of recoil to care about the sound. The ammo was 180gr Rem factoy loads.

45/70fan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2006, 09:23:13 AM »

I had a 7400 in 30-06 that was crap. Sent it back twice for jamming issues and finally got rid of it. I had a Model 4 in 270 that was a sweet heart and should have kept it. I now shoot a Browning BAR in 25-06 and love it.

fishdog52 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2006, 11:06:44 AM »

I bought one of the new Rem 750'2, in 35 Whelen, back in the spring, and starting shooting it when I got back home Memorial Day weekend. I now have about 150 rounds through it, all my handloads. I had a 700 Classic in this caliber for 15 or 16 years, this 750 is a remarkably softer to shoot. I have had zero malfunctions. Some of my loads are getting up towards max, 59-60 grains of RL 15 under 250 gr and 225 grain bullets.
It is normal for me to shoot 20-30 rounds in an outing. Often wearing nothing but a Tshirt. No red marks, no bruises!
Something in this combination of recoil pad, action, & stock design have resulted in an easy gun to shoot. During some of the same outings, I have shot a little model 7 in 308, and a 700 in 270, both seem to have a sharper recoil. My old 35 Whelen, particularly with the 259 grain bullets, made you pay real close attention.
I have nothing bad to say about the Browning, but to date, this new Remington is looking very promising.
Any excuse to buy a new gun should be not be wasted!
Last, but not least, I bought an American built product! This is something I am trying hard to do more of.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2006, 12:02:50 PM »

I've bought a used rem 7400 in 30-06 that I shoot a LOT, Handloads and old M1 ammo. I've had two malfunctions a FTF both times both happened when loading the rifle +1.

If I let the barrel cool COMPLETELY between shots MOA groups are very attainable.

I'd gladly buy another 7400

tanoose · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2006, 11:18:00 AM »

Mayor yes they are reliable you have to go the extra mile with cleaning if you want no problems with jamming and i am told that a synthetic oil should be used as they dont gum up. Every time you shoot the rifle take it apart to clean front forend and pop out the trigger assembly pins. Do this all the time and you shouldn';t have any problems. To much oil is what causes most jamming, keep it dry and keep it muzzle down when not in use. I just bought a new 750 in 35 Whelen and its a soft shooter the 30/06 should be even softer.I had an off day and this rifle grouped 1 1/2" with factory ammo.I had a browning BAR in 338 great gun but i like the looks and feel of the remington better.The browning will jam just as fast f you dont keep them clean. Good luck Tanoose

.308 Win. · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2006, 05:48:00 PM »

I have a good friend who has a 7400 and he says if you don't use some type of dry lube, they're going to jam on you. A lot. His gun is decently accurate but I've never heard anyone really say anything much good about the 7400. My 'smith doesn't like the pumps either because he says if you shoot much, you're going to have to replace the extractor with a Sako extractor and it's no easy job to do it. The fellows at my gunshop are definitely pro-Remington but they've not had anything good to say about the accuracy of the 7400. They speak in terms of the inability to hit a 5 gallon bucket at a hundred yards. Exaggeration? Probably but still not complimentary, nonetheless. I've always loved the feel of the 7600 pump. It just plain fits but I haven't bought one because of the extractor and I do shoot a lot.

jvs · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2006, 11:22:37 PM »

Mayor,

You might be a good Patient for the new Remingtom R3 Recoil Pad and the new Ammo Remington puts out that is 'Low-Recoil'. That new ammo is supposed to give about 1/2 the kick, without loosing energy or velocity.

Mckie Hollow · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2006, 04:49:12 AM »

Back in the 80's, My Brother and I had the 742 Carbines in 06. His would jamb, Until I noticed that He was slambing the clip in as if it were an M16. 30 seconds work on the "ears" of the clip with a pair of Pliers, fixed this. He was bending the clip. The cartridges were hanging up,cycling into the receiver.Yeah, those clips are cheap and You have to baby them. Mine jambed once,-There is a "Dog" on the left side of the Trigger Mech.. This dog can be easily misaligned,over top of the dog,beneath it, and You end up with a single Shot,non ejecting Auto. A simple readjustment can fix this. Learened this from A GunSmith out next to Rem. Arms. Over the Years, I'm sure a lot of Dealers made out very well because of these Problems. I know a Friend was offered $50 for His, by His own Cousin, a Local dealer. I fixed it for Him, from the Instructions that The GunSmith gave Me. Both guns shot as well as expected for what They were. Besides - It would be Hard to convince Larry Benoit, that thos Rem. Auto's are junk. There's a Guy Who shows Proof. Rem .should of used Him for their Ads, I'll bet that Rem. sold a lot of those Autos & Pumps When The Benoits got Published. - The Pictures weigh 5 LBS. - Hope this Helps.

buckweet · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2012, 08:49:34 AM »

I have a remington 7400 30-06 .. so soft shooting.just love the bloody thing.
Zero problems with it.
its shot very accurate...
Weet

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2012, 12:52:55 PM »

In my experience based on guns actually owned by me and by friends of mine I have found the original 740 and the 742s to be very reliable guns so long as you keep them clean and properly lubed. If you neglect them and let rust get into the chamber or in the action under the fore end as in not cleaning/lubing after hunting on a rainy day then they will never again work right.

The guns with four digit numbers just don't seem to function. Our local gunsmith said he has never been able to get the 7400s brought to him to work right. He has seen a lot more of them than me and when I took mine down for him to fix he suggested trading it off while it was still working cuz it wasn't likely to work for long.

So find a 740 or 742 and make sure there is no rust in chamber or in the gas system area under the fore end. If the chamber is slick and smooth and not rust pitted and if under the fore end is free of rust or old rust pits it should work well for you.

chefjeff · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2012, 02:33:57 PM »

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the 742.Out of production for over 20 years,no parts available,rough inside. There is a reason dealers won't take them. Buy a benelli or a browning. I really don't know about the 750,maybe it is OK.

BBF · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2012, 08:35:57 AM »

I'm not at all sure if I would use/recommend any reduced Recoil Ammo on moose. For what I know those loads were meant for deer size critters.

On the other hand a 220 gr 30 cal bullet is NOT needed.

Getting away from Auto bangers, a good fitting, pad equipped bolt 30-06 hand loaded with ammo using a 165 gr at 300 Savage velocities or even better a 170 gr (30-30) bullet at 30-30 performance will take a moose cleanly.

pastorp · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2012, 02:06:09 AM »

How long since your surgery Mayor. I've had bypass surgery twice in the last 30 years and it takes a while to completely recover to the point you can shoot the larger calibers again. It's been about 14 months since my last surgery and back up to shooting a 9.3x74R now. The sturnim heals slower than most bone.
Maybe you will be able to shoot your 06 again in time...

However, I agree on the Browning BARs. They are lite in recoil & accurate too. I've owned several in different calibers.

Regards,

RevJim · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2012, 03:30:27 AM »

My experience is limited, but I used a 742 in 30.06 a few years as a young man. I had problems with mine, but it was what I had. I sold it. Later in life, I had a BAR in 7mmRemMag that was a jammamatic, yep, sold it too. I then tried a 7400 in .270, shot like a bolt gun, easy recoil. Picked up an older Belgium made BAR, also in .270 and still have it, yep, shoots like a bolt gun, easy recoil.
I am a far gone .35 Whelen Ackley Improved freak, so I had to try one of the new 750's in .35 Whelen, a carbine model ( my favorite bolt gun is a Mod 700 .35 Whelen Improved and it has a muzzlebrake!) I thought I'd try it out just to shoot factory ammo, but I shot both factory and handloads. I was very impressed with the 750! Extremely accurate, extremely easy recoil. So, I suggest you find yourself a 750 ( rifle or carbine) in .35 Whelen and use any good ammo, from the 180 TSX to the 250 CorLokt, any will do 'except" possible the 200gr jacketed bullets. Go tough ( Barnes or Nosler) in lighter bullets or heavy weight in jacketed, your moose will be "most impressed"! BTW, Cabela's in Lehi, UT has this 750 in 35 Whelen now, (they are asking $650 for it) I couldn't make myself hunt with anything but my Mod 700 35 AI!! I told you I was "far gone", ha. Good luck to you pard ( call the Gun Library about my old 750 carbine, it is a shooter!)

charles p · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2012, 04:07:05 AM »

I have a 742 purchased in 1967 that operates perfectly since I learned not to feed it problem ammo. Never had a probblem until I begain reloading in the early 70's. I was reloading old military cases, loading it too hot, and not trimming my cases. I had a Hornaday manual that did not designate 4831 as H or IMR. It makes a difference at max loads. Once I got a set of small base RCBS dies and a case trimmer, and began loading mid-pressure loads, I realized the rifle would shoot accurately, and reliably. Mine works great with factory level ammo. I wonder how many others are shooting ammo that is too hot, too long, with poorly sized cases, and blaming their rifle for feeding problems.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** March 07, 2012, 02:03:53 AM »

Ive seen them shoot as good as a bolt and ive seen them shoot crappy. Ive seen reliable ones and ive seen ones that should be thrown in the lake. What to take from this. It takes very little to make a good one a bad one. Very few i know of would run right after 500 rounds had been shot in it but bottom line VERY FEW that buy or own a gun like this shoot more then a half a box of ammo a year out of it. Would i buy one? nope. At least not unless i could take it home for a week and make sure it ran right.

stringofpoloponies · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2012, 01:00:24 PM »

another happy 742 in 308- owner here!

never a hiccup. ive yet to do a complete strip down for cleaning either.

RevJim · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2012, 03:36:17 AM »

Again, as a young man, lots of folks I knew used semi-autos for hunting. I saw both the Winchester 100 and the Remington in 740/742, and one guy with a BAR in .30-06. Each one chambered in the shorter cases, i.e. .243/.308 worked swell. The ones in longer cases were temperamental. I accepted that at the time. I owned a new 742 in .308 for about two months, it shot wonderful, worked wonderful, but having twin girls at the time, I had to sell it to get through a rough patch economically. I never bought another until that 7400 in .270
Most of the guys who had the above rifles "might" shoot 10rds in a year! I was far gone, of course, but didn't handload then, so I had to work with what factory ammo I could get in that little country area. I have to say though, I was hunting in the Big Thicket area of SE Texas, and I never got a shot past 60yds with that '06, so accuracy was fine ( about 3" @50 with Remington fodder, and about 2" with that Federal 165 Sierra @50) I always killed my game with the first shot, so when it jammed ( alot) it was no deal breaker, just aggravating as Hades! ha. Looking back, I could have done all my hunting there with a Handi-Rifle! ha.
This old Belgium model BAR in .270 just works every time, and I have gotten 3/4" groups with factory 140 ammo, and some 130 stuff. I Have never handloaded for it, why bother? It has a 3# trigger that breaks clean, it is really just a bolt gun in semi disguise! The first BAR, also Belgium made, I owned was that 7mm Remmag. It shot "OK" but jammed often. I was just home from the Army and I found I had been spoiled by the light weight of that Poodle Popper M16. That BAR felt like a truck axle in my hands! ha.