rem 742/7400

[rp85]

hello;
a gunsmith, who thinks only god is better than him, told me the rem 742/7400 actions are only good for several hundred rounds.  he claimed the actions develop excessive head space and the gas system will fail.  what do you think?  be nice to know if the actions will last 5K rounds.  thanks for any input.

rp

[Racepres]

If he is right, then I'm in deep dooo dooo. My granddad left one in .30 '06 to me. He shot it alot... my dad shot it a bit .. I shot it lots more... and now my boy is shooting it.   A guess is we have likely exceeded the 5k # by a 1k margin minimum. If reloading, we must use small base dies but I doubt that this is from excessive headspace. I do know how to check for Incipient head seperation (even if I can't spell it) so I guess I better start huh??? If it's a problem I will certainly get back to ya.... Marty

[Randy_che]

Dig around in the semi auto forum. A while back, I posted a long post (from another website) that claimed that the 742's lifespan problems had been solved by the redesign to the 7400. Don't know if it's true or not, but most of the claims about the 7400 being shot out/jamming/battering that I hear about are second hand from someone older, and likely are referring to the 742.

[gunnut69]

Don't know yet about the 7400 but the 742s don't last very well.  The main problem I see that usually ends the rifles usable life is wear on the cam slot in the bolt head.  This allows the bolt to over rotate and the locking lugs start notching the inside of the receiver along the groove the bolt carrier rides in.  Eventually the wear will progress until the lugs bite in deep enough and the action will lock open.  Usually they have to be driven open and at this point the rifle is junk.  I've those who fix them by replacing the bolt lock but that's pretty temporary..  and dangerous. The gas system works pretty well and if cleaned occasionly will give good service.  I believe that matainence would go a long way to keeping the rifle going but it may simply be poor material or worksmanship.  The locking/unlocking cam slot should be lubed with a high pressure grease.  Anything less and it will wear..  For a while Big Green was handing out coupons that allowed money off on the purchase of a 7400 with the return of a damaged 742, but that's no longer being done..

[Mike103]

Gunnut69 is right. I had a Remington 742 Woodmaster in 30-06 for a little over 20 years. During that time I shot 20-40 rounds per year thru the rifle. 1-1/2 boxes for sight check/ pratice each year and 2-10 shots on game. The receiver wore out. I did take advantage of the trade in program and bought a 7400 in 30-06. It does not suffer from the same problem. I shoot this one more, 80-100 rounds per year, more pratice, more shots on game, and there is no signs of wear. MIKE.