742, Or 7400 Carbine ?

[Landngroove]

I am thinking about getting either a 742, or 7400 Carbine, in .30-06. I have owned both in the rifle version, and my 742 is the more accurate. A friend of mine had a 7400 Carbine a few years ago, and after the first shot, accuracy went downhill. This was also a .30-06. If you have owned, or still own eiither of these carbines, I would like to know what you think of them. I must say, I am leaning toward the 742 Carbine, but having never owned one, am not sure. I am well aware of keeping the chamber clean on both of these models, in order to have reliable functioning. 

[wi-deerhunter]

I think 742 carbine are great hunting gun. My uncle carry Rem 742 BDL carbine for 22 years. Rem 7400 carbine are great too. I never own Rem 742 or 7400 but I own a Rem 750 carbine. In deer camp, lot of hunters carry Rem 742, Four, and 7400 and they seems happy.

[30-30man]

Ahhh the 742!  Some people love them and others hate them.  I stand on the side with the people who hate them.  I owned one that was handed down to me.  The forearm would never stay bolted up to the receiver because of some bolt issue with the aftermarket swivel for the sling.  The thing starts to jam after a while.  It seems the bolt lugs get cruddy and then get bent after you keep shooting.  It is imperative to keep them clean.  My gun was never that accurate 2-4" groups was about the best I could do with it.  In short, I'd rather have a bolt gun in a Savage or Stevens.  You really don't need a semi-auto for hunting.  If multiple shots are what you are after, a good lever action will be much more reliable.  IF the caliber of lever actions is an issue, Browning makes one that offers more choices.

[wi-deerhunter]

I disagree with you, 30-30man since you said really don't need a semi-auto rifle. In some area like northern forest semi-auto are ideal. I used to hunting with bolt action rifle, i hate to dragging dead deer out of the swamp. Semi auto will take deer down quickly with second shots so I don't have to walk down in the swamp. Everyone has different hunting methods due to different environment.

[30-30man]

You got a point but.....A lever gun can be almost as fast and I think they are much safer to use in and around the deer stand.   I have never encountered a situation where a second shot with a levergun wasn't fast enough.   I don't hunt elk or moose but I don't think they would be any different.  Shoot for the vitals and make sure you have enough gun for the job.  Many people like semi-autos and I am glad you found something that works for you......I like my somewhat new Dodge 4wd but then again, my old 79 chevette was all I needed as a hunting vehicle.

[Rangr44]

If/When you decide what you want to do, I might be able to help you out.

 An old friend, from Maine, passed away recently, and his widow wants to sell both of his .30-06 M742's - a Rifle and a Carbine,  both ADL's.  Both are just  about pristine, and inexpensively scoped.
I can probably put you in touch with her, if you're interested.

[nrb]

I have used a 742 in 3006 since the 1970's for deer and never had it fail or falter. With handloads it gives 1" groups at 100yds. The 742 has a design flaw where the bolt locking lugs batter the receiver and with LOTS of shooting HOT loads causes irreperable damage. My 742 is fine and with moderate loads it will outlive me. My 7400 in 3006 is a used one I picked up several years ago. It is dependable and never fails. As the barrel heats, the groups climb up to 4". By relieving the forend, it now groups 1-1.5 in at 100yds and stays on target. Both these rifles are super hunters. I would recommend a 7400 though because you do not know what kind of 742 you might get.

best,    nrb

[NYHunter]

I'd go with the 7400 carbine over the 742 only because its hard to get parts for the 742 and Rem. doesn't stock parts any longer. As for accuracy you'll have to try different brands of ammo and bullet weights until you find one your particular gun likes. I had a 742 carbine in .308 that would only shoot Win. 180 grn . power points to my satisfaction. If you reload then it's alot easier.

[NYH1]

A lever gun can be almost as fast and I think they are much safer to use in and around the deer stand. 

If you don't like semi-auto's that fine, everyone has their own preferences. I just can't figure out what makes a lever action "much safer to use in and around the deer stand" then a semi-auto?

[*ROCK-MAN*]

Any firearm can only be as safe as the person whose hands it is in.
I have owned two mdl 742woodsmasters one in 308 and one in 30-06 and they were both acceptable in the accuracy dept.In fact I took a very nice white fallow with the 30-06 at close to 200yds.But I got rid of both rifles after the 30-06 quit grouping for me two years ago.It was shooting a pie plate around the bull and I always keep my rifles clean.I took it to my local gunsmith and he said that he would check it out and chemical clean the barrel.He called me after taking it down and showed me where the action rides inside the reciever that the metal was gouged and rough.Man I loved that rifle but now I am a bolt man and my mdl 700 bdl in 30-06 gets sub moa groups at 100yds.I would suggest the 7400 for this reason.I have heard they addressed the problem I had with mine and are teflon coated along with other modifications.That I know of I was the 5th owner of my 742 30-06 and it served me well for 5 yrs.
Good luck either way.
Rock

[30-30man]

Many people love the 742 and they must have made some good ones as many people are happy with theirs.  I inherited a lemon I'm afraid as with most of my Remingtons.  When you load more than one shell in any semi and shoot , it loads another shell and is ready to fire with just the touch of a trigger.  This doesn't bother me when I'm bird hunting or plinking but gives me more to worry about when climbing up and down trees.  Sometimes in the excitement of the harvest, some people may forget to check the chamber hence climbing down the tree with a loaded gun.  In the heat of SC, we have to clean them as soon as they hit the ground.  We can't wait an hour or the meat will not be any good. A lever action has to be cycled by hand and is safer as there is more to do to get it to the same state as the semi.  There is less chance of climbing down the tree with a round in the chamber.  I'm not speaking of everyone who owns one as I know many semis are used successfully even in the trees.  You can get a good levergun or bolt for much less money and they are probably more accurate too.   It is just my preference. 

[Rangr44]

I've hunted out of tree stands, ever since Baker invented his climber and started selling the kits to make one - and I've never had a problem with locking the bolt open on my semi-autos when climbing up/down.  I also hunt with leverguns, centerfire single-shot rifles, and bolt action rifles.
Guns are only as safe as their users.
Your druthers are your druthers, but have no place, IMHO, inserted as an answer to someone's question, that's not related to your druthers. 

[30-30man]

I was answering a question as why I thought leverguns and bolt were safer around a tree stand.  I could care less how long anyone has climbed trees or how safe they think they are.  If everyone was as much as an expert as they proclaim, everyone would be shooting MOA and accidents would never happen. It is the people who think they are above accidents that scare me.   In the excitement of the kill accidents are more likely to happen, like it or not.  The levergun or bolt is in a safer condition after you fire.  I've owned both and in the contex of good intentions wanted to share my experiences with anyone thinking about buying a semi.  I don't have anything against a semi, by all means anyone should have the right to buy what they want. A Saiga even...  I myself have hunted in stands with semis.  There is nothing wrong with it.  It's just other actions are safer when climbing.

[wi-deerhunter]

I readed deer and deer hunting magazine, article about "Is shotgun safer than rifle?" and I was shocked that high rate percent of hunters whose handle shotgun has causing more accident than rifle. I thought you might want to know that fact. But I don't believe bolt or lever are safer than semi. All guns are dangerous period. No matter what kind of gun you are carry. Its all about how people handle it. I would say moron ignorant hunter carry a bolt action rifle are more dangerous than carefully common sense hunter that carry semi auto!

[1marty]

I've always owned 700 Rem's but a number of years ago I went with a 7400 in a 30-06. The rifle never held zero and would wander all over the paper; I had the scope changed and remounted by a gun smith but it never did hold zero-it was off as much as 5 inches. The gun had a tendency to jam and every so often the magazine would fall out while I was shooting; perhaps I had a lemon but I went back to the 700. I just didn't need all that anxiety in my life.
PS one time I showed up at this farmer's land which I sometimes hunt. He told me semi's were not welcome. Lucky I had my win. 94 with me too.

[30-30man]

You have a point that any gun is dangerous, I'll give you that.  I love semis and own quite a few.  My favorite is a Browning Bar 243 for coyotes and even a SKS for planking.  I just don't like them for hunting in a tree and do not allow them on my place if a deer stand is the destination.  Too many young hunters I've seen go blasting without paying attention to where they are shooting.  Then they climb down with a loaded rifle.      I guess it's all about choices though.  Buy what ya will before OSama or Billary get elected, then you will not have a choice.   

[Ruskin]

I just spent a box and a half trying to scope my buddy's rifle.  He said his scope was out.  Correct.  I brought it in at 31 yds.  I went to 100 yds.  It shot high.  I could not get that scope in.  I changed scopes same process in at 31 high at 100.  I was frustrated.  The gunsmith said a couple of things are the problem.  Cheap scope, see through mount and the curvature of the receiver requires shims.

I called my buddy and asked if he had ever shot the rifle at 100.  No 30-50 yds.  I told him to pull the scope off and use irons.  The gun is not known as a tack driver.

[BRL]

Well, the original poster never posted again so we really don't know what ever came of this. But, I have a 7400 in .30-06 that I bought new in 1986. This  was the first gun I ever bought. I love this gun...maybe for sentimental reasons but still love it. Yeah, it only shoots 2" inch groups at 100 yards, but that has always worked. I've shot hundreds of rounds through it without a mishap. That rifle has a 100% success rate for 1 shot kills on game (although, only 5 animals). That works for me.

I've often thought of having it customized here, http://www.remington7400.com/index.php but keep chickening out. I just can't get myself to alter that rifle.

[charles p]

I once saw a man accidentally drop a lever rifle while exiting his truck.  The hammer hit the bottom of the door opening and the rifle fired a shot through the glove box and out the windshield.  That would not have happened with a semi, but then it would not have happened if the owner had unloaded the rifle in the first place.

My first rifle was a 742 purchased in 1967.  It works fine today, though I rarely use it anymore.  If you reload, keep pressures at a moderate level and use small base dies.

I use bolt rifles now, and rarely ever need a second shot - assuming I hit my deer with the first one.

[ebonitekid767]

i bought a 742 in 30-06 about 3 years ago at a gun show even though i heard the "jam-o-matic" stories. i went to the range and first shot it jammed and i just hung my head, cleared the chamber put the clip back in and fired another......after that first one i didnt have another jam at all! if a semi is what you want....give it a try.

[Landngroove]

As it turned out, I bought a 742 Carbine, in .30-06. ( vintage 1970)I really like the rifle. Loaded my own, 180 grain, Hornady BTSP, 47 grains Win. 748. I put a Leupold 2-7X33 scope on it. Called Remington, and had them send me a couple of chamber brushes. Never had a jam during sighting in process. Rifle performed flawlessly.  I am very fussy about keeping action, and chamber clean. Took an 8 point buck with it last Satuday.  Who would of thunk it ? !   

[JonD.]

I know this is an old post, but I'm glad you got a good one. I have one that belonged to my dad and if it didn't have sentimental value, I'd sell it in a minute (or throw it off a bluff). It will not load a shell from the magazine without hanging up, you have to place a shell in the chamber and let the action go--hard. If you try to be quiet and ease it closed, it won't fire. It will hang when cycling between rounds and accuracy is poor. I've cleaned it and cleaned it--- no better.