I’m trying to get good groups with a Remington 742 Woodmaster in 30-06 scoped. I get a 25" groups at 100 yards. With a new Redfield scope (replacing the original Redfield) I get a 15" group. Without the mag In I get them all on top of each other at 15 yards and a 3" group at 100 yards (out of 5 shots). And when I put the mag loaded back in it I get a 15" group. With a empty mag I get a 7" group. What is wrong? Is it just I’m asking too much from a slam’a’matic. Or is the pressure from the mag spring on the bolt too much for accuracy. But when I run it with the mag in it the first shot is were I put the cross hairs and my second shot is always 9" higher from the first and the rest go where ever I have cardboard backing to track my shots
I had a a Remington 742 BDL in the late 1970s. My problem was with wondering groups–not nearly as bad as what you are experiencing. I would get one 3-5 shot group in one place, then the next group would be at a completely different place on the target. I spoke to a relative who had experienced similar problems. I dumped the gun.
See if the screw on the end of the forearm is lose. Hand tighten and see if it shoots more consistently. If the screw gets very lose the barrel will flop around when you push it with your hand. When mine was doing that I unscrewed the screw and squeezed a pair of pliers on the threads just enough to “burr” the threads “a little” which stopped it from getting lose. After I did this it shoots less than MOA and is more accurate than my Browning Safari BAR 30-06.
PS: I should have mentioned that mine is a 7400 model 30-06 not a 742.
GEE. I’ll have to check the barrel nut on mine too.
the barrel is likely loose. there is a cover over the “barrel nut” just in front of the magazine. slide it up and then tighten the nut. happened to me with my Grandpa’s 740.
i can’t find any links for you. but it’s not hard. take the forearm off. slide the cover off. my gun smith used an allen wrench to turn the nut.
good luck
I know about the barrel nut ,you have to remove it to clean the gun. I use a torque wrench to keep it in place. I have Loc-Tite in the forearm screw to hold it in better in place. My other question is, is that the bolt may not go completely foward if that has any effect on accuracy. Right now I feel like making the gun a 30-06 combat rifle with the 25 round mags I have for it and buy a 870 recoiling stock to make it tacticool. Because if Ed is right then the rifle is crap for accuracy.
How are the locking lugs? I had a 1969 742 that was a 1" gun until I wore out the lugs.
Nanuk,
I just inherited a 742 from my grandfather and am interested in your comment on checking the rugs. To this point I have not disassembled the gun, but would appreciate knowing your process for checking the lugs. After reading many comments on this topic I welcome any experiences/insight that you have on the rifle and thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
I have my dad’s old 742. I won’t get rid of it simply for sentimental reasons. They were never known for being accurate guns. I don’t plan on it ever being accurate. That’s why I have custom M14’s.
Tony.
A through barrel cleaning may help, too. Since these rifles must be cleaned from the muzzle, a close inspection of the crown should be on the list of to dos.
In order
I have good lugs
Not much in possitives if its a long action like .270 or .30-06
you can clean the barrel from the rear you need to follow the instructions that are in the owners manual
Also if it helps the gun has only had 300-500 rounds through it and My father was the original owner and it was the last gun he ever was able to order through the mail. And I have seen the gun my whole life so I know where its been and who cleaned it (me) the whole time so its not like I got a gun from the gun store with a mystery background. I heard from someone that some of the long action 742’s won’t last more than 700-900 rounds before needing a lot of parts but this is one of the early ones so I shouldn’t have to worry about the bolt face cracking and locking the action. The one I got for my birthday back in 1969 is a 308 and I don’t have any issues it like I do with the .30-06. I’m a gunsmith by hobby and this rifle is pissing me off with its lack of accuracy. I can’t sell my late father’s gun because of its his and I respect him and selling it would dishonor his memory. I’ve done a lot to try and fix it. Remington has a affection with the 870 trigger group because it will fit in the 742 and almost all parts can be swapped with each other. Does anyother gunsmith have any insight to fixing my issue of a 12" grouping. The rifle is a museum grade quality so I don’t get why its acting up?
Have you shot it with the iron sights? Also if your not using the Rem scope base and rings I’ve heard the after markets don’t secure nor stay tight- ie long screws actually get hit by bolt when fired ! My 7400 is wearing actual Rem scope mounts and doesn’t loose zero. Not all scopes work for semi auto’s either.
Yes its about the same accuracy and I’m using the factory scope mounts.