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Old August 15, 2012, 07:31 AM   #1
militant
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Remington 742

I got one of these about a year ago in .243 and one 2 years before that in 30-06. The 30-06 couldn't hold a grouping to save my life. The .243 on the other hand is fairly accurate. I have always had issues grouping with either of these rifles to my standards but I could always hit a deer sized target. Anyone experience this?
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Old August 15, 2012, 09:52 AM   #2
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IIRC, the 742's always had accuracy issues, inherited from the 740 - for which Williams Gun Sight Co used to make/sell an "accuracy" block, to install under the forend.

FWIW, I was the R.O. for my club, in the 70's, and when we held our annual Public Sighting-In Day, the only shooters that almost never achieved either a good zero or satisfactory groups (before they ran out of ammo) were the ones shooting those Remington autoloaders.

Many years later, I was given a new Model 7400 Satin in .30-06 that would shoot the lights out of a gnat's eye @ 100yds with 180gr factory fodder (only).
IDK if that 7400 was a fluke, or if Remington made some changes for the better with that evolution.


.
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Old August 15, 2012, 10:44 AM   #3
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I would make sure the barrels/rifling didn't have residue build-up.
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Old August 15, 2012, 10:55 AM   #4
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I cleaned them both well. The .243 can do 3" at 100 but the 06 stays on a 12x12
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Old August 15, 2012, 11:02 AM   #5
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I to bought a used 742 woodsmaster in. 30-06 first thing I did was scrub the dog snot out of it and made sure the bore was mirror like before I quit. The gun shoots 1-1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. It might be a fluke gun also and im shooting hand loads but I know of two other woodsmasters that have taken deer via head shots out to 100 yards and under.
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Old August 15, 2012, 11:09 AM   #6
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Make sure it's not a problem with the optics before you change anything on the gun.
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Old August 15, 2012, 11:38 PM   #7
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I have a 742 in 30/06 that shoots 1 1/2" at 100 yds with rem core lokt 150 and 165 gr. My dads mid 80's 7400 shoots about the same. Try different ammo and check the sights. I have 2 hunting buddies that have 742's with consecutive serial numbers. Both their guns will print under 1" at 100yds.
The last time I had a gun that shot 12" groups the barrel was loose. Some auto loaders have a nut that holds the barrel tight to the action. I have never checked my 742 but that nut was loose on my 22 auto. Hold the butt stock and the barrel, wiggle, if its loose you should feel it move.
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Old August 16, 2012, 08:37 AM   #8
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I had a 742 in .308 for a couple years. It would shoot an honest 2 inch group at 100 yards when I did my part. Always kept the chamber clean with a little angled brush from Remington and never experienced a jam. These are well made rifles!

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Old August 16, 2012, 09:37 AM   #9
Keg
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I have a 742 carbine in 06...1-1.5 groups....And very reliable....
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Old August 16, 2012, 09:59 AM   #10
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I am thinking the scope is to blame. I looked it over and the screws to the rings are stripped.
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Old August 16, 2012, 11:17 AM   #11
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Quote:
Many years later, I was given a new Model 7400 Satin in .30-06 that would shoot the lights out of a gnat's eye @ 100yds with 180gr factory fodder (only).
IDK if that 7400 was a fluke, or if Remington made some changes for the better with that evolution.
Not a fluke as far as I am concerned...

My 7400 06 carbine will shoot...

But then, so will Dad's 1966 742 Woodsmaster in 06...
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Old August 16, 2012, 08:17 PM   #12
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I owned three different used 742's in 30/06. I had no accuracy problems but I had trouble with the locking lugs. I finally went with the Browning Safari BAR instead.
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Old August 18, 2012, 12:04 AM   #13
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Same problem with NIB 742. Did not group well. At best 6 to 10 inch groups at 100 yards. I shoot very well with other rifles so it's not me. I traded it in.
That was back in the 70's when I think the rifle sold for $ 179.00.
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Old August 18, 2012, 11:37 AM   #14
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It's possible that the inaccuracy might be caused by damage, however small, to the bullet, as it travels from magazine to chamber.
Try chambering rounds, one at a time from the mag, using the gun like a bolt action, and see if accuracy improves.
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Old August 20, 2012, 03:11 PM   #15
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I had one about 25+ yrs. ago, it was there 150 yrs. anniversary model in 30-06. I loved that rifle, it harvested alot of deer for me, but unfortunately I made a bad decision and sold it. It never once jammed, and it Kept its group size at about 2.5-3" at 100 yds. Which was good enough to hunt deer in upstate N.Y. I often read people calling them jamomatics, but mine performed perfectly every time I needed it to.
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Old August 20, 2012, 09:03 PM   #16
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My father has a 742 Woodsmaster Carbine in .308 and it is extremely accurate. He used to shoot irons and could do very well with it.

It has never jammed.
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Old August 23, 2012, 06:03 AM   #17
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I had a 742 in 30-06 and never had any accuracy issues with it.
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Old August 23, 2012, 07:14 AM   #18
giaquir
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I read an article that some gun writer
wrote .
He said that Remy semi wouldn't group
for no how, so he took the for end screw
out ,put locktite on it and just snugged it up
not putting to much pressure on the for end,
giving him quite satisfactory groups
ron
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Old August 23, 2012, 10:37 AM   #19
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May not be a bad ideal to check the muzzle crown. I've had rifles shoot so-so and had the barrel re-crowned and it shrunk the group nearly by half. The barrel may also need a good cleaning. May not hurt also to make sure the barrel is tight on the '06.
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Old August 24, 2012, 12:48 PM   #20
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Quote:
I am thinking the scope is to blame. I looked it over and the screws to the rings are stripped.
I am thinking that it may not be the scope or the rifle but the questionable way the scope is being held to the action. If the screws to the rings are, in fact, stripped, this problem would be way up on the list of possible candidates for the rifle's lack of and/or inconsistent accuracy. I wouldn't change anything until I was assured that the scope has been snuggly and properly affixed to the rifle.
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Old August 24, 2012, 09:11 PM   #21
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I owna 742 in .243. It is one of the most accurate firearms I own. The problem I have with it is the length. It seems to be made like the Remington 1100 stock. I really have to pull it in tight to get a good sight picture. That may have a lot to do with the accuracy.
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Old December 11, 2012, 03:25 PM   #22
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742, Reliable

I bought my 742 Woodsmaster Carbine in 1970. Most reliable gun, as far as accuracy. I can get less than 1/4 " groups with a bench rest at 100 yards, I have the target to prove it. Shot deer at 40 to over 200 yds. I have found that a lot of people that bought these guns used surplus ammo, or did not take very good care of them. I use only Remington Core Lok, 150 grain bullets. The carbine is good to walk through thick cover. Managed to shoot several coyotes. 2002 shot a moose. The distance was 185 yards.
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