Keep the Remington Semi or go with a Bolt?

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chipster314

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Ok gang first time posting here. So here is my issue. I hunt once a year for moose as of right now. I presently have My Rugger .22 for the birds/grouse and a Older remington 742 Woodmaster .308 semi. for bullwinkle. I want to get rid of the semi and go with a Bolt action rifle instead. Reason being, its an older gun, I ride in dusty conditions and I don't baby my guns like they are something from the china shop. My concern is one of these days when I actualy get the chance to take aim its going to jam on me. I tried a friend remington Pump .308 but I have rather short reach and was not able to hold the gun properly up where the pump action is. So hence the bolt. If I keep the semi I need to put some more work $$ into the scope mount as I need it to come back further. Keeping the Semi is the cheaper option but... more than likely going to go with the bolt eventualy and will have to tweak the scope mounting on it also. Not sure if I would be able to re-use any of the mounting hardware from the semi on the bolt. Looking at the Thompson Center Venture in a .308 (do not want suggestions on going to a biger caliber) I'm a small guy and do not need any more kick.

So I guees I am asking for your opinions on the Semi and are my concerns legit.
 
Not that I do not clean them once back home just not afraid to go out there with them and get dusty or wet from the rain. I bore snake them and clean them up before puting them away for the year.
 
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Instead of lecturing you on maintenance, which is probably really annoying, I'll answer your question. In my opinion, I'd keep the semi, and buy the bolt action as well. I just got a Ruger M77 Hawkeye, .308 bolt action, and love it. I also own an old Lee Enfield .303 which I'm also fond of. The work to do the scope mounts wont break the bank, and will give you another solid backup. I borrowed a 742 woodmaster 10 years ago and shot my first deer with it. Nice gun. Cheers!
 
Thanks 1Bighead. The only reason for deciding is to use the money from the sale of the Semi to go toward the purcahse of a new Bolt. Since I am just a recreational hunter, I don't have a need for a collection of guns.
 
Go with the bolt in 308. I have killed a lot of moose with my 308.

Every 742 I have owned was a jamomatic all by itself, with no help from dust. I have lost a moose because of a semi-auto malfunction, it really sucks.

You might even be able to work out a trade for your 742 at your local gun shop.
 
Yeah they said they would give me $250, but they dont have the TC Venture that I am looking for. I am hoping to get $350 for it, comes with a Bushnell Scope 3-9 Entry level.

I have heard the expression Jamomatic to many times, hence why I am wanting to go Bolt. Its once a year and 14 hour drive one way. Might be tempted to pull out the knife on myself in the case of a Jam.....lol AHH sorry guys we finaly had a tag for everything this year ah but my gun jammed...oh well maybe next year. Suddenly hear the sound of lots of gun saftey's coming off...Run Forest run
 
Jamomatic's are 95% user's fault. Those 95% are users trying to load the first cartridge by closing the action with their hand, as to not make alot of noise. Doing so will not allow a semi-auto's rotary locking lugs lock-up...pull the trigger....click. You have to accept the noise factor by pulling the action all the way back and letting go of it, to let the action slam closed as it is designed to do. If you want to load a quieter action buy a bolt-action.
 
Never handled the venture, but most who have seem to like them. Sell your rifle in the EE and go buy what you want. It'll last you a lifetime, so its a small investment.
 
I would encurage you to carry out your plan. Sell the 742 and buy a bolt action.
No question, a bolt action rifle is very reliable and requiring little care, except cleaning.
However, there is no way I would buy the TC Venture.
There are so many good used bolt action rifles out here and many of them sell for a bargain. I would scour the equipment exchange on here. Your 308 is a good choice, but if I were you, I would take a 30-06, depending which calibre you found first.
A bolt action rifle in 308 or 30-06. There are a lot of good, to great, rifles out there.
 
All good advice here. I will say that as for the "noise," factor lock and load well before you get in position to shoot. An unloaded, un-chambered, rifle is useless when you step off. When you get off the ATV, out of the truck, walk down the road, or get in the tree stand, do it.
 
I was going to say the same thing. Get on stand at 5:30 AM (4:30? :) ). Rack a round into the chamber. Control muzzle direction, and apply safety.
 
All good advice so far.
If the bank ain't broke, keep what you have as you are accustomed to this rifle.
Buy the next sweet heart and if she's good to go, not a tramp, then sell the
one you have.
Trading the devil you know for the one you don't could very well burn yer butt
short changed and ferrustrated..............
 
Run the Semi, don't go backwards.

Whatever you have, you'll have to do a bit of maintenance. And for once a year, that shouldn't be much work.

Usually, you'll only need one shot, a semi will have less recoil than a bolt. If you do need more than one shot, the semi will take out all operator error, and due to the reduced recoil, will be faster to re-aquire the target.

Not sure what else to say, but stick with what you have, and take care of it.
 
X2 on keeping the gun you have and working with it. For $50-$100 you could find a sporterized SMLE and have a bolt too.

The .303 has about the same punch as your .308, it's a smooth bolt and won't jam unless you backstack your magazine.

I have a feeling that once the LGR goes there'll be plenty more Enfields back on the market because we won't be hoarding them from confiscation.
 
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