Remington 742 in 280 rem "Opinions and value wanted"

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DandyBoy

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edmonton, alberta
Potentially going to buy a rem 742 chambered in 280 rem as a dedicated deer gun. I like the idea of the idea of a semi auto strictly hunting rifle with nice wood and blue. The quality is there as it was made before remington went down on QC, but km worried a little with bad reviews out there.

What's the value and general thoughts on this rifle?
 
I have owned three 742 rifles, two in .30/06 and one in .308. Never had a jam, FTF OR FTE with any of them. If they have been shot a lot and not maintained they can develop problems with the locking lugs galling and seizing in the mating recesses, usually end up with a junk rifle. Give the lugs and their mating surfaces a close look and if you can ask for a chance to testfire it. A lot of feeding trouble with them is due to a buggered up magazine. If you are using it for hunting and don't plan to fire hundreds of rounds with it, it is a good choice in my opinion. For value I wouldn't pay more than $400 for the bare rifle.
I have seen a couple with issues but on the whole they are a good hunting rifle if looked after. Loads of them here in the east been used for over 50 years and still going hunting.
 
Finding 280 ammo can be a bit more tricky than std. old 270, 308 or 30/06. I'm sure it can be found in Edmonton somewhere but expect to pay a lot more than the aforementioned chamberings.
 
Super Cub is right about the Ammo SCARCE.I have a 280. in an older Browning Stalker hand loading is the only way if you can find the Brass.Good Luck with your purchase.
 
DandyBoy said:
Potentially going to buy a rem 742 chambered in 280 rem as a dedicated deer gun. I like the idea of the idea of a semi auto strictly hunting rifle with nice wood and blue. The quality is there as it was made before remington went down on QC, but km worried a little with bad reviews out there.

What's the value and general thoughts on this rifle?
Click to expand...

Bottom line when buying any 742 is to get someone that knows them to give it a good look over and a try since there are some real screwed ones out there depending on how it was maintained over the years.
Also cub is right on the ammo. Impossible to find at least down this way and one has to reload
I had 4 different 280's until this year. Now just have one rem left
Do like the caliper
Cheers
 
Agree, 320 sounds fair if its in good condition.

The issue with these first came up with the model 740.

The (bolt carrier) gets deformed and it won't chamber properly (I have a 740). It can be fixed one time then it's pretty much toast.

They thought they fixed it with the 742 but not quite, so do check it out.
 
It's not so much that the carrier gets deformed, it's that the action bars do not hold onto the carrier tight enough. There is enough slop in the fit that under recoil, the bolt will cant at the end of it's travel in the rear of the receiver, leaving impressions of the bolt lugs in the side and upper portion of the receiver. Does regular maintenance help? Always. But there is an intrinsic design flaw that can not be helped. With the introduction of the 7400 series of rifle, Remington did away with the interrupted bolt lug design and went with 3 bolt lugs as well as adding a nylon bushing to the carrier/action bar assembly, minimizing bolt cant.
Now, as far as a 742 in 280 Rem... As has been said, have someone knowledgeable on these firearms have a look.
 
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