So I've mulled over switching my Bush gun from a lever to a hunting caliber semi for a while now and thinking I might give it a try in the near future. I almost bought an m305 last year as it fit the bill well, but you know... government intervention has taken place since then. So just wondering what people would recommend for something reasonably compact with irons and decent reliability. Not looking for excessive accuracy, just that it goes bang when needed.
Bush semi suggestions
- Thread starter Freyr_255
- Start date
Wilbur1005
Regular
- Location
- Queen City
old Winchester Model 100 CARBINE in .284
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I should add in that by 'hunting caliber' I mean something in the standard range of 270 win to 30-06-ish for cartridge selection. I've toyed with bringing out the sks for daily use, but really I don't feel as confident in the cartridge as I'd like, even after a neighbour dropped a bear coming at him with one this spring. Although, it would be pretty easy to unload a full mag on target as there's negligible recoil I find.
- Location
- British Canuckistan
there's also the Benelli MR1 or something.
For your needs I would go with a Remington 7400 carbine in 30-06, or maybe a Remington 750 carbine in 308. The 742 and up were offered in carbine form with a 18.5 inch barrel. I recently shortened my 740 (older version) from 22” barrel to 18.6”. I love this line of rifles. I HATE, ABSOLUTELY HATE Remington, but I love the way this line of rifles handles. The 7400 was a big upgrade from the 740 and 742 and has a much longer life expectancy.
A lot of people will say these rifles suck, they are inaccurate, they jam, etc. If you keep them clean and feed them proper ammo they work just fine. Oh, and they’re pretty cheap too!
I don’t think too many recent versions of the BAR have iron sights (one of your criteria). I find the super curved trigger on the BAR uncomfortable and the magazine system is weird. I believe they use that system to keep those rifles legal where “detachable magazine” semi autos are a no no.
A lot of people will say these rifles suck, they are inaccurate, they jam, etc. If you keep them clean and feed them proper ammo they work just fine. Oh, and they’re pretty cheap too!
I don’t think too many recent versions of the BAR have iron sights (one of your criteria). I find the super curved trigger on the BAR uncomfortable and the magazine system is weird. I believe they use that system to keep those rifles legal where “detachable magazine” semi autos are a no no.
BAR rifles came with the floorplate since its introduction in the 60s. Nothing to do with legalities.
BAR lightweight stalkers fit the bill and they do have irons. I would NEVER take a Remington 7400 or any Rem semi. Ive personally seen two break..a 30-06 & a 270. Both were newish using factory ammo. On the positive, the one Rem in 270win outshot any BAR that I have....when it was working.
Thanks for the suggestions. I was seriously debating a BAR I in 300 win but ended up getting a 742 in 308. I'll see how it functions and hopefully it proves reliable enough I'll take it out and use on a daily basis. Usually it's not hard to get a semi to function decently with a little know how and tinkering.
I appreciate all the input, so thanks you guys.
I appreciate all the input, so thanks you guys.
Freyr_255
Since you bought a 742 you’ll want to check the receiver for wear. That is an unfortunate reality with the 740 and 742, the receivers do wear out. That’s why I suggested a 7400 or 750. But that’s okay, I’ve had two, still have one 740, it’s from 1959 and works fine. Mine does have some wear marks in the receiver, I smoothed them out before firing it, it has gone bang every single time I’ve asked it to.
I would highly recommend a complete tear down and deep cleaning. Polish the chamber with some steel wool while you have the barrel off the receiver (they were prone to corrosion in the chambers, leading to difficult extraction. If not remedied it can destroy the bolt).
Is yours a carbine version?
Since you bought a 742 you’ll want to check the receiver for wear. That is an unfortunate reality with the 740 and 742, the receivers do wear out. That’s why I suggested a 7400 or 750. But that’s okay, I’ve had two, still have one 740, it’s from 1959 and works fine. Mine does have some wear marks in the receiver, I smoothed them out before firing it, it has gone bang every single time I’ve asked it to.
I would highly recommend a complete tear down and deep cleaning. Polish the chamber with some steel wool while you have the barrel off the receiver (they were prone to corrosion in the chambers, leading to difficult extraction. If not remedied it can destroy the bolt).
Is yours a carbine version?
Good to know. If you wouldn't mind explaining a bit more, what exactly is wearing in the receiver? The bolt guides/rails I assume? If this is the case, does the bolt still lock up safely or does it become a hazard? And yes, the carbine version. It's what tipped the balance for me as I would have preferred the BAR I in 300wm for a few different reasons, but alas, size matters. lol!
Bolt chatter. The locking lugs chatter against the receiver wall when the bolt opens fully, hammering in little dents.
When the dents become established, jamming starts. They can be smoothed over, but that is only a temporary fix.
Remington changed the design, getting rid of the multiple interrupted thread locking lugs.
When the dents become established, jamming starts. They can be smoothed over, but that is only a temporary fix.
Remington changed the design, getting rid of the multiple interrupted thread locking lugs.
The bolt on the remington 74 and 76 series locks directly into the barrel. The rifles are THEORETICALLY safe to fire without the reciever.
