Cast in a Remington 742?

[Rushcreek]

I recently aquired a Remington 742 in 30-06. I’ve never actually wanted one, but for $200 with two boxes of Factory ammo and three magazines- I couldn’t resist.
It works just fine except that the operation just seems over energetic to me. Maybe because I’ve only had Mini 14s and AR15s in the past?
Anyway, I’d like to see if it will operate with cast loads to lessen the west and tear on the infamous 742 action.
Does anyone have any ideas/ experience in this regard?
The factory ammo is 150 gr Remington CoreLokt presumably going around 2800 fps.
I loaded a handful of rounds with the Lee 170 over a middle range 3031 load from the Lyman Cast handbook, but I haven’t tried them yet- maybe today if I brave the heat.
If nothing else, this rifle can fit in the Loaner or Bro in Law gun category.
According to the barrel code it was made in January 1969 (When I was ten). The stocks have obviously been replaced somewhere along the line because synthetic wasn’t a thing back then.
Inspecting the action; everything looks ok to my eye as far as wear and tear on the lugs/races go.
I think that it was carried a lot more than it was shot, but the flat black paint covers any bluing wear that supports that theory.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Watching for opinions.

I got one in a bag and box a few years ago. Got it assembled and ready to test fire. Mine was pretty badly rusted. I thinknit was stored in a gun case and got wet. Mine also had wring stocks and I D&T for peeps.

 

[JustJim]

I played with one briefly, just to see if I could get it to work--and wonder of wonders I managed to find my notebook for that year (1992)! I used WLR/ 38-39 gr BL-C2/Linotype 308291 sized to .309, LBT Commercial lube. Brass not noted, so probably a mixed batch of 1x fired milsurp.

On a cold day the 38 gr charge wouldn't cycle the action.

It was a nice mild plinking load. Accuracy was nothing to write home about: 3-4" for 10 shots at 100 yards. It was about a 3" 100 yard rifle anyhow.

 

[Bret4207]

Watching for opinions.

I got one in a bag and box a few years ago. Got it assembled and ready to test fire. Mine was pretty badly rusted. I thinknit was stored in a gun case and got wet. Mine also had wring stocks and I D&T for peeps.

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Wah! Even for Remington that wood to metal fit is bad! Good candidate for some home wood working and one of those paint type finishes. The gun itself will probably work till the cows come home! Only thing I ever had to do to them is de-rust the little ball that controls the gas or whatever it does IIRC. They were very, very popular in the Adirondacks.

 

[Bret4207]

I recently aquired a Remington 742 in 30-06. I’ve never actually wanted one, but for $200 with two boxes of Factory ammo and three magazines- I couldn’t resist.
It works just fine except that the operation just seems over energetic to me. Maybe because I’ve only had Mini 14s and AR15s in the past?
Anyway, I’d like to see if it will operate with cast loads to lessen the west and tear on the infamous 742 action.
Does anyone have any ideas/ experience in this regard?
The factory ammo is 150 gr Remington CoreLokt presumably going around 2800 fps.
I loaded a handful of rounds with the Lee 170 over a middle range 3031 load from the Lyman Cast handbook, but I haven’t tried them yet- maybe today if I brave the heat.
If nothing else, this rifle can fit in the Loaner or Bro in Law gun category.
According to the barrel code it was made in January 1969 (When I was ten). The stocks have obviously been replaced somewhere along the line because synthetic wasn’t a thing back then.
Inspecting the action; everything looks ok to my eye as far as wear and tear on the lugs/races go.
I think that it was carried a lot more than it was shot, but the flat black paint covers any bluing wear that supports that theory.
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Give it a try. If there's enough pressure it will cycle. Finding the balance point between cycling and accuracy with a cast bullet might take a little experimenting though. I wonder if certain powders are more likely to make it function than others, be they slower or faster, within normal cast speeds?

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Wah! Even for Remington that wood to metal fit is bad! Good candidate for some home wood working and one of those paint type finishes. The gun itself will probably work till the cows come home! Only thing I ever had to do to them is de-rust the little ball that controls the gas or whatever it does IIRC. They were very, very popular in the Adirondacks.

I think it was a 870 stock. I picked up a 760 stock and swapped it on one 760 I have cause it matched the pump wood better then original. Then put its wood on the 742.

The gas port and plunger was in good shape and the lugs not awful but some evidence of gauling. (These dont like hot loads) I have some Garand loaded 150g to test fire.

 

[Snakeoil]

Gas operated, so would wonder if cast bullets would not plug the gas port.

17 gr of 2400 under a 200 grain bullet should give you about 1430 fps, probably less out of the shorter barrel. I would think it would operate the action and be a pussycat to shoot.

 

[Snakeoil]

I think it was a 870 stock. I picked up a 760 stock and swapped it on one 760 I have cause it matched the pump wood better then original. Then put its wood on the 742.

The gas port and plunger was in good shape and the lugs not awful but some evidence of gauling. (These dont like hot loads) I have some Garand loaded 150g to test fire.
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That rushy old receiver is a good candidate for the bead blast cabinet followed by a Dicropan or Oxpho Blu refinish.

Actually, after taking another look you could probably run the sides of the receiver on 400 grit on a piece of glass and it would come out looking good after the same re-blue process. You could bead blast the top of the receiver for anti-glare first the run the sides on the 400 grit. You could even go finer if you want to be all shiny and such.

I don't mind guns with a patina or the wear from many years of use. But rust is just not acceptable and must be dealt with.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

The rust is gone. (It was bad I should have taken pics...) But, its stains remain. If she is a shooter, Ill send to my smith for a Cerokote finish. Bore is very good muzzle had a good ding but it didnt distort and was outside crown. I have room to prune a 1/8" and re crown if needed.

But all defendant on function and accuracy. Leaning heavier on function/reliability. <4" @ 100 is acceptable from this one with Peeps for me.

 

[Rushcreek]

I waited till it cooled down to a hundred degrees and shot, over adjusted, shot,over adjusted,shot.
After the gun cooled somewhat, I fired 3 in a row that are promising. All at 40 yards.
The load is 36 grs(red 167 scoop)of 3031 with the C309170F Lee PC .309”and Win primers.
It functions perfectly, too. Even with the ugly aftermarket magazines.

 

[Thumbcocker]

4895 has worked for me in AR 15's and a Garand. FWIW

 

[Rushcreek]

We had a northern blow in; it went from 100 degrees at 9am to 86 at 11am- so I squeezed in a 4 shot 40 yard group.
4 shots in three holes is okay with me.
36 grs of 3031 might be a bit light yet; the function is perfect but the donor Federal cases have some blow by soot on them.

 

[popper]

try ~ 25gr 2400.

 

[Rushcreek]

Alas, neither 4895 or 2400 are in my powder drawer…..

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Alas, neither 4895 or 2400 are in my powder drawer…..

I have been watching for more H4895 for years around here its unobtanium... I have a few cans of the IMR variety.

 

[Missionary]

Nice $200 Rifle ! 3-4 inches at 100 yards would well thwap the two corn crunchers I saw yesterday from my kayak.
"Cooled down to 100..." Why that reads like the "Big Oven Valley" we visited three weeks ago. Have a son out there in Mesa.

 

[Rushcreek]

The better of these two three shot groups was fired in 104 degree weather. I moved the scope and at sundown fired the other group in 100 degrees.
I’m going to blame it on the heat.
It’s a very popular excuse lately!
Perfect function still- the sound of the action releasing the bolt is kinda 1100ish…..

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Well function is important.., accuracy.., FUNCTION is important!

 

[Rushcreek]

I found an original rear sight for it in the sights drawer. The Tasco 4 x has very thick crosshairs that hide a 2” targdot @100 yards.
I wanted to buy an original 742 magazine until I priced them- yikes.
I had no idea that there was a two shot magazine, either.
I’ll stick with the 7400/750 one and the ten shot uglimags
If it will do 3”@100 with cast or jacketed then it will hunt.
When the weather is better, I’ll find out!