I have a 308 waypoint Springfield and they are really nice rifles!
Favorite Deer Rifle
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Its kind of a toss up between a Savage 110 in 7mm Mag and a Remington 742 in 243. I used that 7 mag for mostly Mule deer in the Tx Panhandle Canyons and White tail on big wheat fields. I used the little Remington 742 on the N Canadian River and Washita River where my shots were not that far, 50 to 150 yards. I really like the 742 because it was light and not much recoil.
I have two 308s. A 700 varmint contour that I built and an AR 10 that I built. Both shoot really well. Interestingly the AR 10 with 20" barrel will outshoot the 700 26" barrel accuracy wise to 600 yards. The 700 could use a barrel upgrade if I really wanted it to be crazy accurate. But it's a good shooter to 700 yards and I take it to 1000 occasionally and it will stay under moa for three shots or more if the wind is consistent.The Springfield is a good looking rifle. I have yet to shoot one.
I have a 742 in the shop right now that will not even feed when I hand operate the bolt. The gun looks new. By the symptoms I really think it's a magazine problem. I just haven't picked up another mag to try. They are very light on recoil
I had a similar issue with my 7400 - love it for hunting woods/timber. I bought 3 extra mags, no help/change. I put a spring kit in it and it works without failure now, with every mag. 30-06
On to my favorites - of which I have many, because I have so much love in my heart I suppose:
Model 100 Winchester in .308w - woods/timber - it competes with my Rem 7400 in 30-06. Love those two almost equally.
19" barrel Mauser 98 in .308w for hunting off the 4 wheeler/truck gun - light, quick and easy to shoot.
Ruger M77MKII in 300 Win Mag for my trips to the mountains for elk and mule deer. A bit too heavy now tho - I'm past my prime apparently.
Mauser 98 in 257 AI for everything else - it's my true favorite. Most likely because the .1" groups it shoots are addictive.
Model 100 Winchester in .308w - woods/timber - it competes with my Rem 7400 in 30-06. Love those two almost equally.
19" barrel Mauser 98 in .308w for hunting off the 4 wheeler/truck gun - light, quick and easy to shoot.
Ruger M77MKII in 300 Win Mag for my trips to the mountains for elk and mule deer. A bit too heavy now tho - I'm past my prime apparently.
Mauser 98 in 257 AI for everything else - it's my true favorite. Most likely because the .1" groups it shoots are addictive.
What type of spring kit
I bought mine on eBay - I would recommend the action spring to start with - search for this: Remington 742 7400 Action Spring Part # F18322
That'll get you started. You can also get the various other springs which you can replace should you find a failure in their operation once you solve this initial problem. Hope this helps.
With this one if you fill the mag and try to put a round in the chamber, the bullet will jam into the side or locking lugs and that's it. The only way to get it to feed is to drop a bullet into the chamber and then release the bolt. I'll look into that kit. I also want to get my hands on a magazine
john k
Well-Known Member
I've had a few Remington jam masters!
I have a model 6 pump from the early 80s that has been a good gun. I've never cared for the 742 automatic at all
john k
Well-Known Member
Don't blame you on your opinion of 742's
Brushcutter
Active Member
After starting out in 1973 with a Winchester 94, my first scoped rifle was a Remington 760 30-06 in 1976. In 1986 I happened on (found it under the seat of Mother in law's pickup when she had to stay with us for a couple months) a model 70 7mm Remington mag. $200.00 turned out to be enough to get her home !!! I bought a box of shells and found that it grouped half the size of the 760. (Later I discovered Federal premium ammo that halved the groups again) 20 years ago I picked up a 740 in a trade. It was neither accurate or reliable. It went away. A few years ago I pickup up a 760 30-06 carbine. Put a peep sight rear, and fiber optic front sight on it and it's now one of my go to woods guns for deer, bear, and elk.
