Hurley's Gold

Remington 742?

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  • billtool

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    The Wooldlands
    I remember shooting one of these years ago on a ranch in Rock Springs. Just busting rocks at various distances with rudimentary range finders. Probably a Leupold VX-II 3x9 or some such thing. I still have one I wouldn't trade for 500.00. I recall this .30-06 chambered rifle being dead nuts on out to 300 yards. Great gun and I wanted one terribly at the time.

    I'm no longer in the deer rifle buying business as I have what I'll use in any case. But what the heck is the deal with low pricing on the Remmy 742's? Max $600.00 is what I've seen for one hell of a mid-70's example. Is there a known mechanical thing that drives lower pricing? Or? They're danged good looking rifles and from my personal experience of 50 or so rounds - the one I tested shot and hit like a champ.

    Thoughts?
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    Maverick44

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    They haven't made that specific gun in over 40 years, and it's not an iconic gun or even that well known of a gun today, so most people just don't care about them. Sometimes they'll get recognized by the gun shooting/hunting community for what they are, and the value will increase. Sometimes, they won't. If you look around, you'll find a lot of old guns like that. There's nothing wrong with them, they're just not popular.
     
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    Sam Colt

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    Minute of deer accurate at best is my experience. They have a tendency to self-destruct for a couple of reasons. One is that the chamber is hard to clean and will pit, grab fired cases tightly, and cause jams. The other is that the receiver is soft metal and the bolt lugs chew it up over time.

     

    V-Tach

    Watching While the Sheep Graze
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    Pump centerfire rifles and the 30-06 cartridge are not very popular in Texas.....

    It is a great rifle, I agree with you..........

    30-06 is probably the most underappreciated cartridge........it really is one of......if not the most versatile cartridges......
     

    Geezer

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    I remember shooting one of these years ago on a ranch in Rock Springs. Just busting rocks at various distances with rudimentary range finders. Probably a Leupold VX-II 3x9 or some such thing. I still have one I wouldn't trade for 500.00. I recall this .30-06 chambered rifle being dead nuts on out to 300 yards. Great gun and I wanted one terribly at the time.

    I'm no longer in the deer rifle buying business as I have what I'll use in any case. But what the heck is the deal with low pricing on the Remmy 742's? Max $600.00 is what I've seen for one hell of a mid-70's example. Is there a known mechanical thing that drives lower pricing? Or? They're danged good looking rifles and from my personal experience of 50 or so rounds - the one I tested shot and hit like a champ.

    Thoughts?
    They are not black, they are not plastic. No one wants that stuff anymore.
     

    PDiddy

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    Aug 3, 2022
    742
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    South of I10
    30.06, while a capable and versatile cartridge, seems to be steadily falling in popularity as younger hunters look for the cool factor and “magical” cartridges. My first hunting rifle purchase was a Remington 7400 in 30.06 way back in about 1989.
     

    innominate

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    I have a nice 742 BDL deluxe. I haven't shot it in 30 years. I've thought about selling it but I'm a bad procrastinator so she just sits in the back of the safe. I'll try to remember to take her out and snap a pick when I get home.
     

    Geezer

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    CCCDA5F7-5E8C-47C7-A954-2A3DCE1CBECB.jpeg
     

    Sam7sf

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    The 742's are good guns. Only thing that you need to look at when buying is the bolt. Pins on them will start to go and most malfunctions are because of issues with the bolt. Plenty of replacement parts available. I would own one. It's an American classic.

    Why they aren't popular anymore? People are more into mall ninja 6.5 tactical dildo bayonet type guns.
     

    zackmars

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    They still get taken out quite often, based on how often i see them.

    They aren't the most accurate, or reliable. Very flimsy feeling considering its caliber. I've seen people claim they are 1.5-2" guns, maybe 2" on a really good day and god smiles upon you.

    If i had to go outside with a semi .30-06, I'd take a Garand without hesitation. Hell I'd take any bolt .30-06 before a 742
     

    johnbeaver

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    I have had and used a Remington 742 BDL .308 for 56 years. Taken many Whitetail and a few Mule deer and some pigs.
    With a 4x power Leopold scope it has needed few adjustments over the years. will still group well at hundred yards.
     

    zackmars

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    I think that is the common consensus. Hunting = bolt, all others are out there but to a much lesser degree.

    I don't remember what my point was, but iirc it was along the line of "gun to my head i have to hunt with a .30-06 semi auto" my picks would be #1 an M1 garand, #2 a bolt action, #3 a Remington 742
     

    billtool

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    The Wooldlands
    I think that is the common consensus. Hunting = bolt, all others are out there but to a much lesser degree.
    Except that danged FN AR308. Mine was sub-moa all day long. I think it was built on the BAR platform. Sold that thing for a song and have kicked myself ever since. In fairness- you needed a watchmaking degree to tear it down and reassemble without leftover parts.
     

    mongoose

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    I had a friend who called his a jam o matic. I thought his was .243................to many years ago to be sure.
     
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