Dunno why all the bad-mouthing of the 742
The Remington 740, 742, 7400 series are not everyone's cuppa tea, but a few remarks for your consideration - - -
I bought a 742 new around 1971 and it served me well for several years. I killed my first buck with it. I had heard there could be accuracy problems, what with it being an autoloader and having a two-piece stock. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it would hold about 1.5 to 2-inch groups with Federal 150 gr. factory loads, which is plenty good enough to take any deer walking out to 300 yards, when sighted to strike 2.5 to 3" high at 100. I figure this has something to do with the multi-lug rotary-locking bolt. Many off-the-shelf bolt action rifles will shoot no better. Like so many other good guns, I swapped that rifle away to further some new project.
Some consider the lack of high capacity magazines a handicap. Many states prohibit hunting game with more than five rounds in a rifle, so this is no real drawback for sporting use. If you shop around you can locate mags that hold seven to nine shots - - See the CNDD website/catalog or the Brownell's catalog.
The rifle LOOKS like a sporting firearm - - There's little "military" appearance about it. It is significantly lighter than an M1 Garand for field use, though of course it is not eligible for service rifle match use. It does not "accessorize" very well - - There are few or no bells and whistles to add to it. It is what it is. It came drilled and tapped for conventional 'scope mounts and for receiver aperture sights. Choose your sight system and type of sling, and that's about all you can do with it.
As to a complicated disassembly - - Requires removal of the two action pins to remove the trigger group, but it is not nearly the terror that older-type sporting autoloaders were. Really, though - - Lock the bolt open with an empty magazine and clean the barrel. Remove magazine and swab around with solvent, and you’re good to go for another several hundred rounds. Not so much fun to tinker with, but the rifle just goes on and on . . . . And, really, unless you're into match shooting, how many boxes of aught-six will the typical owner shoot in a year?
As a matter of interest, this was a popular law enforcement arm for a time, like the Remington 81 and Winchester 07 arms before it, but far more powerful. The Texas Rangers for many years issued the Remington 760 in .30'06, roughly the same rifle, but with a pump action. I don't think the State actually issued 742s, but I know of several officers who bought their own. In the late 1960s and into the 80s, I saw a number of these being carried on man hunts, but of course this was before the popularity of the Mini-14 and AR15 for cop use.
It's a pity about the chipped stock, but I see that Numrich
Gun Parts Corporation offers a variety of replacements at varying costs. If you aren't dead set on selling it, though, there's no reason not to use as-is.
Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.
Johnny