30-06 rem 7400 or 7600?

[handirifle]

I'm strongly considering trading off a pistol for a Remington rifle, either the 7400 or 7600 synthetic.

I like the auto loader idea, but wonder how well it holds up to hand loads using heavier bullets. 180gr and up pushed to high limits on the loads.

I like, too, the idea of the pump working just like my shotgun, to me, much faster to reload and on target faster than the bolt action.

What about reliability issues?  Is one more dependable than the other?

I will be getting the rifle version, not the carbine.  My local gun shop owner convinced me it is worth it for the extra fps with heavy bullets for elk.  It will be a deer, bear, hog, and elk gun.  With the animals hunted most often in that order.

Feedback please.

[Ramrod]

First off, you can't load pumps or autoloaders too hot, or you will have extraction issues. You have to keep the loads right around factory levels.
I had a used Remington autoloader in .30-06 once, and used 180 and 220 grain bullets in it with good accuracy. They were all factory loads though. I have been considering purchasing a new one.

[JPSaxMan]

I assume your laws permit the use of a semi auto? Otherwise obviously you only have one choice left.

[handirifle]

Yes they are legal, but I've since heard of chambering problems with reloads in the 7400.

[deerslayer15]

I was always told not to use heavy bullets in the semi-auto's. Everyone I talked to said that if you use anything over 150 grains you would junk the receiver. I am convinced that this is a true statement.

Also just because they are semi-auto's doesn't mean they were meant to shoot like your .22. They were meant for a quick follow up shot put not boom, boom, boom, boom, booooommmmmmm.                      
                MORE LIKE

boooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

boooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

boooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,                

boooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

boooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

If not you will end up with the same problem as when you shoot to heavy a bullet

But you guys probally already know all this stuff so I'll just shut up.

[NYH1]

I had a Remington model "7600 Carbine" (18 inch barrel) in 30-06. It shot 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with factory Remington 150 gr. Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt ammo. I got rid of this and wish I still had it . If you go with the rifle (22 inch barrel) you'll get a little more velocity. I would definitely recommend 7600 to anyone that likes a pump action rifle. I don't know about the 7400 semi-auto. I've heard good and bad about them. I've never owned one or even fire one for that matter!

[crow_feather]

I have a 760 and a 7400.  For me, the pump is more accurate than the semi-auto.  Also, the last shot of the semi-auto will not hit on target.

Will be low and to the right - if I remember correctly.

C F

[Ramrod]

crow-feather, thats good that yours shoots low on the last shot, your game should be falling down by then! :-D Mine never did that, but was REAL high with any oil in the bore or chamber on the first shot.

[147 Grain]

handirifle:

180-gr. rounds should be fine in a Remington semi-auto.

Steve

P.S. Concerning my new Remington 7400 in 30-06:

Initially, the first 50 rounds produced jams every third round, so I went to work on it by bedding the action / stock / installing a LimbSaver Barrel De-Resonator / adjusting the trigger to 3 lbs., and dry-firing / working the action 1,000 times.

A major and very thorough cleaning of the action and chamber was performed. Did I say take your time and pay close attention to detail in cleaning the action / chamber / bolt?

Afterwards, the 7400 30-06 has not jammed in the last 200 rounds and is shooting groups that vary between 7/8" and 1 1/8" off a benchrest and 1 3/4" to 2" groups offhand - using 180-gr. Federal Solid Base rounds.

Speer Hot Core 165-gr. were slightly more accurate and shot the smaller groups, with the 180-gr.'s being the largest, but not my a large margin.

Will try some Nosler Ballistic Tips and AccuBonds next.

Steve

P.S. Groups definitely opened up when the barrel's hot, but no accuracy problems in firing a quick 4-round magazine from a cold barrel, as in the worst case hunting situation.

[jmckinley]

I own a 7600 in 270Win and love the rifle. With 130gr BST it will shoot 1 inch groups all day. It will do the same with the rem Express rounds. I will be buying a 7600 in 30-06 for my primary Elk rifle. I own 2 handi rifle and am fond of them but my hands down favorites are the 7600 pumps. With todays premium factory loads you get all you can ask for in power, accuracy and reliability. I don't reload and I don't feel handicapped in the least. I highly reccomend the 7600. In fact if I can find a 35 whelen i'll add that to my gun safe too.
                 
                                          Jess :grin:

[jvs]

I own a 7600 in 270Win and love the rifle. With 130gr BST it will shoot 1 inch groups all day. It will do the same with the rem Express rounds. I will be buying a 7600 in 30-06 for my primary Elk rifle. I own 2 handi rifle and am fond of them but my hands down favorites are the 7600 pumps. With todays premium factory loads you get all you can ask for in power, accuracy and reliability. I don't reload and I don't feel handicapped in the least. I highly reccomend the 7600. In fact if I can find a 35 whelen i'll add that to my gun safe too.  Jess :grin:

Check out Grice.  They currently have a 7600 in .35 Whelen available in a limited special run.

[NYH1]

I own a 7600 in 270Win and love the rifle. With 130gr BST it will shoot 1 inch groups all day. It will do the same with the rem Express rounds. I will be buying a 7600 in 30-06 for my primary Elk rifle. I own 2 handi rifle and am fond of them but my hands down favorites are the 7600 pumps. With todays premium factory loads you get all you can ask for in power, accuracy and reliability. I don't reload and I don't feel handicapped in the least. I highly reccomend the 7600. In fact if I can find a 35 whelen i'll add that to my gun safe too.  Jess :grin:

Check out Grice.  They currently have a 7600 in .35 Whelen available in a limited special run.

Here is Grice's web link with the 35 Whelen! :grin:

[kx90]

My first and only rifle that I purchased with my own hard earned cash is my 7600 30.06.  Great rifle.  I bought it when I was 17 (it's in my grandfather's name, I bought it one summer while I was working on his farm).  Aside from needing a new, quality scope that can stay accurate for more than 3-5 rounds, I love it.

This rifle will still be my primary for deer season but I did finally get around to purchasing another rifle that will be used for bigger game and occaisionaly deer.

[High Brass]

I have a mid 70s vintage M760(predaccesor to the 7600) in 30-06 and love it.  It's plenty accurate to the tune of sub 1MOA with handloads and me doing my part  :wink:  .  I bought it off my Dad("Dave in WV" here on Graybeard's) and felt sorry for him.  He no longer had a pump centerfire to hunt with .  So, I felt it a good idea to get him a 7600 laminate in 7mm-08 and he's very pleased with it :grin:.  I don't have much experience on the 7400s but we're really partial to the 760/7600 clavern.

[35Rem]

Handi,

I don't think you could go wrong with either.  However, there are a couple of points to consider.

The 7400 requires a little more maintenance than the Pump.  It will come with a chamber brush.  Most that are traded in are traded because they start failing to eject.  If you asked them if they used their chamber brush to clean the gun, they normally look at you funny.  They rarely are traded in WITH the brush.  The 7400 needs a clean chamber to eject properly. Keep the gun clean and no problems.

The 7600 has an automatic (no pun intended) advantage, in that it is the same action as your shotgun.  I have a Rem Model 141, the Pump that prededed the 760, chambered in, you guessed it 35 Rem :lol: .  It is the smoothest, fastest gun I own.  The 7600 is a good gun.  It will probably handle reloads easier, extraction wise.  Both are very strong guns.  I wouldn't worry about reloading, or shooting heavy bullets (not sure why that would cause a problem).  The 30-06 is a great round, and should handle anything you can find. Best of all, it's cheap to shoot, when it comes to major calibers.  I think that the 7600 will be slightly lighter in weight, and probably a hair more accurate, but accuracy is good in both guns.  If the 7600 feels good to you (Carries well, points well, balance, etc.) go for it.

[kudzu]

Have a 742 in 30-06 - Shoot 180gr fac. Swift Scirocco - about inch and half at 100 with ocassional flyer. Have had for 23 years. my favorite old gun. Have never had a jam with it, and has killed, well a lot off deer over the years. Thought I was going tohave to burn it when I went to work for the wildlife. scared it might start talking. LOL. Dad had a 30-06 760. All I can say about it is you better have ahold of it, kicked like, as someone once said, ayoung mule.

ps - left the wildlife a while back, reckon I can geter back out !!!!!

[jim21]

My son got a nice black bear useing his 7600 in 30-06 with handloads in
180grains.He's really pist off because he got some blood on the barrel
and it rusted up some. :x

[tanoose]

Handi rifle i dont have a 7600 but i do use a n older 760 i use Hornady 220 rn in front of 54.0 of IMR4831, i beleive this is near max and i have never had a problem with max loads and the 180 grain bullets . Ive never used 150's in the pump. Several guys in my club have the older 742 semi-auto and they have never had problems using factory 180's. Next week i plan to order the new 750 woodsmaster semi-auto in 35 Whelen  and will be using 250 grain bullets. Dont know where you heard about not using heavy bullets in a semi-auto but i would say in my experience  theres no truth to that . My nephew uses the 225 and 250 grain bullets in his 338 win. mag  semi-auto  BAR with never a problem.And i had that same 338 years ago with never a problem. Give them a try  , good luck Tanoose