Remington Semi-Auto 742, 750

[ninesecdick]

While browsing through Cabella's in February, I came upon two, used, Remington semi-auto rifles for sale. They were in as-new, incredibly good condition and both had custom and highly, beautifully checkered stocks. One was a 742 and the other was a 750. Their bluing was gorgeous and unscratched and had no signs to wear, such as against a leather pouch. I paid about $300 for one, and $600 for the other and bought them both on the spot. They are both chambered for 30.06 Springfield.

After purchasing them, I took them to the range and test fired about 10 rounds through each rifle. I wasn't checking for accuracy, but wanted to make sure they both functioned correctly. Their action was smooth, consistent and never showed signs of jamming. As nearly as I could tell, they were reasonably accurate at about 75 yards.

Since that time, I have heard horror stories about how badly they jam and failed to chamber rounds without sticking. I really love these two rifles, but now I am concerned.

I guess my question is...have I bought into a bad situation, or, since my guns seem to work okay, can I expect that they will continue to do so in the future ?

Also, the four round mags are a joke. I am considering buying 10 round mags. Since the 4 rounders work okay, can I expect the same performamce from the ten rounders ?

I'd apreciate hearing from anyone with experience about these guns...

email to : [email protected]

 

[Leanwolf]

I can't answer for your .30-06 but I bought a new Remington 742 in .308 Win., in 1971. I have no idea how many rounds I shot through it, and never had a jam. Put an old (new at that time) Weaver K4 'scope on it and it consistently fired from the bench, 1 1/4" groups with my handloads, and 1 1/2" groups with both Rem. and Win. factory ammo. Anyone who says that's no good for hunting in the field, doesn't know anything about either hunting, or shooting.

Worked perfectly for me and I killed a number of Mule deer with it.

I recently gave it to my nephew who has coveted it for years. He killed a nice Mule deer buck this past Fall.

Keep it clean and you'll have a fine hunting rifle.

L.W.

 

[dmazur]

I had a 742 for many years. I bought it new in 1973, I think. I sighted in every year and got 2 deer with it. I never had any trouble with it, but I never fired more than 10 or 20 rds/year, either.

The accuracy was around 2" groups at 100 yds, and I'm aware there are examples of the 742 that can do a lot better.

I finally sold it and got a bolt-action. Much easier to clean, more accurate, less complicated, and it can handle Hornady Light Magnums.

I had a couple of 10 round magazines that I got, well, because they were for sale. I never did find a practical use for them. 4 rds is more than enough for hunting, and the 742 is a hunting rifle...

By the way, I believe the "bolt hold-open on last round" mechanism is part of the 4-rd magazine. The 10-rd magazines don't have this.

I didn't experiment with 10-rd magazines enough to notice any trouble, but I have read reports of feed problems with them. Of course, some owners have had trouble with the 4-rd ones as well. They have to be kept clean, and the lips can't get bent or they won't work.

If you're planning to shoot thousands of rounds through the 742, you'll wear it out. For a deer hunter who shoots 10 rds/year, it will last a lifetime.

 

[moooose102]

from what i have been able to find out by asking around, there are 3 concerns with them. #1 is the amount of rounds fired through them. #2 is how they were shot (i was told that if they are shot like an ar-15, they won't last very long). and #3 how they were, or were not maintained. if the gun was cleaned and lubed after being shot it would last a long time. if it was shot, put away with no maintenence and drug out next year, shot again, etc., without maintenence and cleaning, they go sour pretty quickly. my dad had a 742 deluxe for probably 10 years (which he bought used). when he died, my older brother got it, used it for another 10 years, and sold it. there were no problems with that gun. but then, we were taught to take care of our weapons. i sure wish he would have let me know he was going to sell it, but he did not.

 

[benchmade47]

I have always heard the same about problems with a 742. I bought one about 10 years ago in .243 and didn't give much attention to cleaning it thoroughly, mostly just rubbed it down at the end of the day. It jammed once so I cleaned everything good and it was back in business. I did have to replace the extractor this year but it was a cheap and easy fix for the gunsmith. I've had good luck with accuracy, too. First deer I took with this rifle was at 30 yards and the second one was 10 minutes later at 250 yards. Leanwolf said it all though :

Keep it clean and you'll have a fine hunting rifle.

 

[rangerruck]

the 742's had the inner rail problem; if you keep them clean inside, and well greased, I would use lithium grease on the reciever rails, then you may never have a problem. I would also go nuts, and use a molyfusion type paste on those rails, and leave it there, and somewhere where it is hot, so the metal pores can open up a bit; the slicker those rails stay, the longer before failure.
the 10 round mags are fine, and may even be a bit more reliable, since the bending feed lips
tend to not be a problem with these.