Remington 740 742 7400

[Booyah]

I am thinking about buying a Remington auto, can someone explain the difference between the 740 , 742 and the 7400.  Which one is the most reliable?

[R.W.Dale]

I am thinking about buying a Remington auto, can someone explain the difference between the 740 , 742 and the 7400.  Which one is the most reliable?

 The differences are largely internal mostly involving the bolt head and metallurgy. The earlier 740 and 742's should be avoided like the plague. These had serous issues with the locking lugs wearing through the receiver Remington no longer offers parts or service for them so if you have one your SOL!

 The 7400's are a much improved rifle and for the most part are quite reliable if well maintained, They can be surprisingly accurate but do have a tenancy to throw shots as the bbl warms up.

 My personal recommendation are the Remington Pumps, They're dead reliable just as fast as an auto and suffer from none of vices mentioned above

[targshooter]

The 740 has multiple locking lugs (9 I believe) on the bolt with almost 90 degree angles to the barrel longitudinal axis. This resulted in frequent lock-ups during firing and freezing of the action even during manual cycling on occasion. It also beat itself to death fairly quickly. The 742 has the angle of the lugs reduced to correct the action freeze up problem. It still has the same inherent problems regarding service life. I had a 742 that was shot to death after about 4,500 rounds (I used it in some open High Power and Hunting Rifle competitions), learning it was not meant for prolonged service after returning it to Remington for repair. The 7400 has three locking lugs and probably does not have the same service life shortcomings. I own a .30-06 7400 Carbine, and it is fairly accurate (inside 2 MOA) and does not open the groups unless it has had 5 or more shots put through it rapidly.

[30-30man]

In a semi auto rifle, buy anything but Remington. I've heard the 7400 has some of the same problems as the 740, 742 etc.    They've always changed models and then left customers out to dry.  Beneli, Browning, and even Saiga make much better semi rifles. There are some who love Remington semi auto rifles, those people have never shot their rifles enough to notice a problem. 

[R.W.Dale]

In a semi auto rifle, buy anything but Remington. I've heard the 7400 has some of the same problems as the 740, 742 etc.    They've always changed models and then left customers out to dry.  Beneli, Browning, and even Saiga make much better semi rifles. There are some who love Remington semi auto rifles, those people have never shot their rifles enough to notice a problem. 

How many 7400's have you owned? Have you shot one enough to have problems?

I shot the living pee out of my 7400 in 30-06 and never had any issues.

[Sourdough]

My wife has carried a 7400 in 30-06 for 23 years.  It has never had a problem period.  She has saved my bacon with it, and I trust her and it with my life.