Author Topic: Reloading for the 742 woodmaster (Read 2860 times)

zacharoo · « **on:** August 30, 2011, 02:06:35 PM »

I have a 308 caliber remington 742. I used to pull and press soft points into military ammo for years. I would like to start reloading this caliber for my auto again. I still have plenty sized and primed military brass and just picked up 100 nickled remington brass. I would like to get a load that would function and not be too hot. I have on hand 150 gr. remington core lock and hornady 150 gr. interlock and some 150 gr. rn HORNADY BULLETS. The powders I have on hand are IMR 3031, IMR 4895 and IMR 4350. HELP I WOULD LIKE TO SHOOT THIS RIFLE AGAIN!!!!

Zacharoo

chefjeff · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:17:31 PM »

Sell or trade this rifle soon.You are evidently a great reloader so don't limit yourself to an inferior platform.

zacharoo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:50:07 PM »

It was given to me as a birthday present from my wife in 1971 can't part with it!!!!! Only reason it is still in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zacharoo

TNBilly · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:39:33 PM »

All three of the powders you listed are reasonably good IMHO. The worst you could say is they aren't "the latest and greatest". All's required with the 742 is a full size and middle of the road powder levels. The 10% below max is likely all you'll get away with or perhaps a little warmer. The 4895 and 4350 have always worked well for me. I haven't used 3031 but I doubt it'll be much better or worse unless your 742 is a particular one.

BBF · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2011, 08:33:31 AM »

The 150 gr Hdy RN is a good Deer bullet if you don't shoot beyond 200 yards. It has enough energy, the trajectory begins to get "hillier"

My 742 is 50 some years old and shoots well. For the powders you list 3031 and 4895 are good. I would save the 4350 for heavier bullets.

pastorp · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2011, 08:02:27 PM »

scatterbrain,

Your 742 is 50 years old.. oh no I'm sorry to hear that. I had one in my youth guess that means I'm getting ooollllllddddd.

Regards,

BBF · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2011, 09:38:50 AM »

50 years old, barely dry behind the ears you mean.

Well I ticked over another year today and wouldn't you know it, took the 742 to the Range this morning.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2011, 10:22:35 AM »

I really like those old 742's, you just have to reconize them for what they are, and use them as hunting guns.

My dad killed a lot of deer with the one i have, and i was thinking of shooting a deer with it this year myself? Dad just loved them, and bought his first one not long after they came out. Here's his last buck he took with mine, i think he was 90 then...

Over the years, he shot moose, elk and blk. bear with them too...

DM

possume · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2011, 11:11:10 AM »

i load my 7400 30-06 with imr 4895 150 gr soft points and i use 49 grains wich i think is a near start load and my gun funtions perfect and from what i have wrote down it was 2900 fps ..just load a few see how it does if it doesnt cycle up the powder until it does

454Puma · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2011, 04:33:33 PM »

possume
I found the same to be true about my 7400 , best accuracy was 1-1.5gr over the starting loads. with 50 gr of IMR 4895 and 165 SEI I get 2692 fps and 1-1.5 " groups at 100 yards.

Very easy on the shoulder load.

BBF · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2011, 03:07:37 PM »

This "Easy on the Shoulder" is getting more important every year.

zacharoo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2011, 04:17:56 PM »

I am looking for 308 loads. Most of you guys shoot 30-06. Any 308 loads with a 150 gr. bullet. I have IMR 4895 and IMR 3031 like I stated earlier.
Zacharoo

BBF · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2011, 05:53:50 AM »

IMR 3031
Start with 40 gr and don't go past 43.8 gr There should be a sweet spot.
Being the rifle is an auto banger I would just make up one single round with the low charge to see if the action cycles 100%

possume · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2011, 07:41:05 PM »

well with imr 4895 150 gr starting load 42.6 and max load 47.3 i would just load light and see what you can get as accuracy and see how it will cycle

charles p · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2011, 12:59:06 PM »

Bought my 742 in 1967. Still works. I recommend a small base die, watch your brass length, and use mid-velocity loads. Mine is more accurate with moderate loads and deer don't know the difference. Since shifting to small base dies, I can't recall a feeding problem.

Go lightly on the oil.

BBF · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:24:36 AM »

In case you use a powder measure unit, Winchester lists their Ball powder W-748 with 48.5 gr to generate 48,000 C.U.P for 2800+ fps MV

Zeak · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2011, 11:27:43 AM »

I also suggest using small base dies for the auto loader. I use them on my 7600, it makes cycling alot easier even in the pump action.

454Puma · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:35:49 PM »

zacharoo
Advice still stands - start at the starting load and work up - I think you'll find the sweet spot way before you get to a max load!

Unless your trying to get Max range out of it -accuracy is more important!

BBF · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2011, 07:01:10 PM »

Achieving Max range means squat if you are all over the place.

momsworry · « **Reply #19 on:** November 23, 2011, 04:37:39 AM »

In my 7400 Remington in 30-06, with 150 gr Hornady SP, I load IMR 4895 at 46.2 gr. That seemed to be the sweet spot for my gun. If I moved up much in powder, I had fliers. I also use the small base dies. If I keep everything clean in functions flawlessly.

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** November 23, 2011, 05:04:01 AM »

Just a reminder guys, the OP has a 308 Win.

bubbinator · « **Reply #21 on:** December 27, 2011, 07:50:38 PM »

I bought a Rem 742 from a friend 3 decades ago from a friend's son (damn I'm getting old). It was in .243 and I got almost every round of brass fired in it (+/- 800). He was an exceptional woodsman and witnessed him taking a flushing quail with it! Knowing the rep of a semiauto and accuracy-I developed a load using Nosler 85r BT bullets that were 1" +/- all the time. I shot a couple deer with it and gained another gun in a trade(but I had to keep loading it for him!)

T.R. · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:00:52 PM »

This is an accurate load in my .308 Remington carbine:

165 grain Nosler - 37.0 grains IMR 3031

TR