Author Topic: Remington 7400, any good? (Read 2789 times)

Holiday · « **on:** March 31, 2004, 05:28:39 PM »

Howdy, all! I noticed Wal-Mart has a synthetic stocked Remmy 7400 in .30-06 for about $400. I've never fooled with any auto loaders other than military and semi-military rifles such as the Mini-14. How accurate are these, and how reliable? I am thinking about getting a autoloader, but I don't want a jam-o-matic. I know there aren't any high capacity mags for the Remmy like there are for the Mini and the AR-15, but 10 rounders are avalable and that is fine with me. Also, I like the .30-06 and this apeals to me. So, how good is this rifle?

Randy_che · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2004, 04:19:42 AM »

I have one that I bought a couple of years ago. Overall, I'm pleased. It is not like a bolt action rifle though (milder recoil but harder to clean). The loading technique takes a little getting used to and the chamber and action MUST be kept clean. I missed a shot at a nice buck because my chamber was a little dirty and the bolt didn't close completely. Of course, it was before daylight when I set everything up and didn't notice until it was too late. Pull trigger, nothing happens. Mumble curses, rack the action, get another shell in, close action firmly, aim as buck is walking behind a tree into the thick brush. I did get another chance a couple of hours later, but that first buck was pretty nice looking. When I got home, I scrubbed that chamber like a mad man, and it works like a charm now.

Mine is very accurate. We're talking 1 to 2 inch groups, without thinking about it too much. Off the bench and a couple of plain sandbags, but no bench vice, no special breathing techniques, no trigger job, etc. I don't handload, and have only shot a few boxes of Rem 150 gr Corelokt through it during sight in, general target shooting, and hunting. It can get hot, and mine tends to string badly if I shoot more than about 4 in a row without a couple of minutes rest between shots. In my opinion, I got a good gun. Not perfect, but good.

The weather is getting nice here again, and hopefully I'll get the chance to go out to the range and sight in my new scope one of these weekends.

targshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2004, 01:14:27 PM »

Holiday,
I wrote about my experiences (good) with a new Remington 7400 Synthetic Carbine last January 17 in this forum. Please feel free to read that passage concerning the rifle and its performance.

bing · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2004, 02:43:13 PM »

I have 2 7400's that I buoght used at different times,30-06 & 308. After a good cleaning I've had no problems with them jamming, only which one to take in the woods!

His lordship. · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2004, 02:16:59 PM »

I was considering getting one myself, did the research and found that it depends on how much you use it. Apparently they are fragile, the receiver area gets pinged up inside and eventually part of the rail fails. I read of a guy who used his for serious target shooting and the rifle acted up, the Remington factory fixed the problem, but pointed out that his 2,000 rounds put through it to that point was beyond the design intent.

Some of the guys at my shooting club use em' and the Browning design too, they use them for deer hunting season and shoot 3 quick shot bursts to simulate the typical firing that might be done in the brushy country of Northern Minnesota. None of our gun club members have complained about the 7400, but then again they see limited use too.

tony212 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2004, 03:13:31 PM »

I have been hunting with an older model 742 That I bought new in 1978, never had a problem with it. I've killed many deer and a few bears with it and couldn't ask for a more dependable rifle. Here in the New England they are very popular. There are 6 of us who hunt together, 5 have 742/7400s and one 1 has a BAR. None of us have ever loss a deer or bear due to rifle failure.
Tony212

Huntinbull · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2004, 04:11:48 AM »

I have a 742 that has been in my family since the late 60s to early 70s. Great shooter, accurate, dependable. I do clean it regularly and make sure the chamber and bolt lugs are clean, but onlly as much as i do with all my other rifles. Have never had a misfire or malfunction. Good luck with your choice.
Huntinbull

Holiday · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2004, 10:11:18 AM »

Thanks for the information. I have since run across a 742 with thebasket-weave stock that I am considering. My dealer wants $190 for it, and I am considering it. A question, arethe 7400 and 742 magazines interchangeable?

Huntinbull · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:32:28 AM »

I believe they are interchangable. I have bought magazines aftermarket that listed for both models, so i would think so.
Huntinbull

targshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2004, 01:08:48 PM »

I used a .308 742 magazine in my 7400 .308 20 years ago.

DES · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2004, 08:34:46 AM »

The 7400 I had in '06 would only shoot 3"-4" 3-shot groups, it would also change point-of-impact by about the same amount. Maybe I just got a bad one. :roll:

Mike103 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2004, 03:29:11 AM »

I hunted with a Remington 742 in 30-06 for 24 years. Killed over 40 deer with it. The disconector? What ever that is broke twice but I never lost a deer. I sent it back to Remington in 99' to be tuned up and they told me the rails on the inside of the receiver were worn out. They had a trade in program and I received a new 7400 for about 300 bucks. I would be carefull about buying a 742 that was used often. MIKE.

tony212 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2004, 11:45:45 PM »

Yes, the magazines for the 742, 7400, 74, and model 4 are all interchangeable. That is one of the reason we all bought the same rifles. We have a mixture of all of them and have interchanged magazines in the past. Also, the 742 with the basket weave stock was the BDL model. It was a little fancier than the standard ADL model. If you can get one for $190 that is a deal. If you have doubts about its condition you can send it back to Remington and they will give it a complete go over. I'm sure you won't be unhappy when you get it back.
Hope this helps
Tony212

animal · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2004, 05:30:56 AM »

The 740/7400 is a decent big game rifle in general but for a reloader or someone who shoots more than average at the range I am convinced that the Browning is more durable and generally more accurate. My lightweight has already had over 3 thousand rounds thru er with zero problems and my brother that inherited my dads ancient BAR has had no troubles and he lives and uses it in Alaska under very nasty, wet conditions.

Pat

Don McCullough · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2004, 05:40:11 PM »

Bing,

How would you compare your 30-06 with your 308 7400? Considering the shorter barreled carbine version.

Don McCullough

Quote from: bing

I have 2 7400's that I buoght used at different times,30-06 & 308. After a good cleaning I've had no problems with them jamming, only which one to take in the woods!

Raging480 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2004, 10:34:03 AM »

I am not trying to hijack this thread, but I was just having a crazy thought. Is it possible to take a 7400 chambered in .308, and modifying it to a .350 Rem mag gun? I am aware of the new model 673, but I am left handed, and don't shoot any bolt action rifles, especially ones that are right handed.

Raging480 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2004, 02:48:42 AM »

So, any opinions on a 7400 in .350 rem mag? Is it even possible, or does the size of the action need to be different? Maybe we can talk Remington into making some...

brasschaser · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2004, 08:30:42 AM »

I heard something like the 7400 can only be slightly disassembled for cleaning? From the reports I've heard on the 7400 and the BAR, I'd go with a Browning, plus I like their gun politics much better than Remington's lately. Actually for a good reliable autoloading deer rifle I'd go with a M1A or AR10, but then that's quite a steep price increase. And if you can get the 7400 for $190 that sounds like a super deal.

Don McCullough · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:27:10 PM »

animal,

You state some impressive reliability with you and your brother's BARs. What your routine for cleaning them to ensure their reliability?

Good chance a BAR will be my next rifle purchase. The lightweight.
Really be interesting if they'd chamber this gun in 358 Winchester ctg.

Don McCullough

Quote from: animal

The 740/7400 is a decent big game rifle in general but for a reloader or someone who shoots more than average at the range I am convinced that the Browning is more durable and generally more accurate. My lightweight has already had over 3 thousand rounds thru er with zero problems and my brother that inherited my dads ancient BAR has had no troubles and he lives and uses it in Alaska under very nasty, wet conditions.

Pat

firstshot · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2004, 06:48:59 PM »

Can't speak to the Remington 7400's, but I just got a 30-06 BAR Safari this past Spring and am really impressed with it. I haven't put near as many rounds through it as animal has, only about 300 so far, but I've had no problems with it at all and accuracy is much better than I had expected.

With 180 Gr Sierra Game Kings on top of IMR-4381, 7 of 12 three shot work up loads were sub MOA @ 100 Yds and overall average for the 12 groups was 1.09". I also got a 1.4" CTC average with 12 three shot groups of 180 Gr Nosler Ballistic Tips on IMR-4350.

I can probably do better with the Nosler BT's as when I was shooting them, I wasn't letting the barrel cool down enough between 3 shot groups. Didn't figure that part out till I started shooting the Game Kings.

I don't think you can go wrong with a BAR in 30-06!

firstshot
------------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

Camp Cook · « **Reply #20 on:** August 19, 2004, 01:19:31 PM »

I purchased a new Rem 7400 synthetic stocked 30-06 carbine and 8 new mags 1 1/2 years ago.

first shot empty case would not eject.......
tried 5 more times would not eject empties......
send rifle back to gun shop they wanted to send it back to Remington for repairs.......
made them give me another one......
this new rifle has failure to eject sometimes.....
sometimes it ejects and feeds another round but the trigger doesn't reset.....
when I install the mag to hard it will slip past the front of the trigger guard assembly and lock up the action. I have to take both trigger assembly pins out shift the trigger guard back before I can get the mag out.
Junkiest non dependable rifle/gun I have ever encountered.........
Cam

animal · « **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2004, 07:48:17 AM »

Don,

I enjoy totally taking apart and reassembling fire arms as a hobby. I have totally disassembled and reassem. every firearm I have ever owned. The fewer tools I need to take a firearm apart the better, hence I'''''''ve only taken the BAR apart one time just to be confident that I can.
So other than one strip down procedure all I and my brother do is
1) Clean barrel from breech to muzzle with a cable

2) Use a chamber brush and completely clean the chamber area.

3) Wipe where ever fingers and or a tooth brush can reach with very light application of cleaning solvent.
4) Wipe outside w gun oil and inside w teflon base lube.

tripod · « **Reply #22 on:** September 03, 2004, 08:53:08 AM »

Hi, Bought 742 new. On special at local store. Didn't care for the clip design. Seemed too tight of fit and hard to remove. Accuracy was so-so at best. Shot a few shots late one day then waited for season. Day before opener shot a couple rounds at camp and the bolt jammed way back hard. I couldn't believe it. Tried pushing pulling cussing. Had to use a block of wood and hammer to get it loose. Didn't shoot it again and of course the store wouldn't take it back. Went and traded in on bolt action. Once is enough for me. It was such a burden financially and stressful learning this way being young. This site and others are sure a benefit of the times. I now research things to death and buy the absolute best I can possibly afford. This leaves less to luck or chance.