Please Help!!

07 October 2003, 16:26

dukhuntnmachine

Please Help!!

A friend of mine has an old 30-06 of his grandpa's, and he would like to go out and shoot. It is a remington model 742 woodsmaster, in perfect condition with 100% of the bluing, no surface rust at all, and no nicks or dings in the stock. It has been in storage for the last 15 or so years since he died. We know the gun is at least 23+ years old, but was still functional when it was put into storage. It seems to be in good order, but I want to know if he should take it to a gunsmith and get it checked before shooting it. I have looked at it and it looks nearly brand new, very sharp. I am also looking to buy it, so any help would be appreciated.

07 October 2003, 18:16

Dave James

It never hurts to have a good smith go over it, he 742 as I remember is one of the first seris in the semi-auto rem's

08 October 2003, 03:33

Bigdaddytacp

quote:
Originally posted by dukhuntnmachine:
A friend of mine has an old 30-06 of his grandpa's, and he would like to go out and shoot. It is a remington model 742 woodsmaster, in perfect condition with 100% of the bluing, no surface rust at all, and no nicks or dings in the stock. It has been in storage for the last 15 or so years since he died. We know the gun is at least 23+ years old, but was still functional when it was put into storage. It seems to be in good order, but I want to know if he should take it to a gunsmith and get it checked before shooting it. I have looked at it and it looks nearly brand new, very sharp. I am also looking to buy it, so any help would be appreciated.

.......As the other post states I would have a good smith look at it...the guns were upgraded over the years and are still sold under new model numbers.....as long as the barrel is clear of any blockage you can't harm the gun or yourself by using new standard ammo to shoot the gun....fuction maybe bad if the gun has dried lube in the action and recoil springs....AND this way you will be able to get a FAIR picture of the gun for both your purchase and the owner knowing it's proper fuction and the smith should be able to give you a local market price zone for the gun in its condition....you might also check with the smith about the new types of "light mag" ammo in the action of the 742....it may not fuction with this new ammo and/or need adjustment to handle it well????good luck and good shooting!!

08 October 2003, 06:20

p dog shooter

It maybe new but 742's have a very bad habit of cracking and chipping the inside frame rails.I have looked at lots of them it seems after a couble of hundred of rounds they start to go. Remington counts on people not puting more then a couple of hundred round through them in a life time. If you can buy it cheap 100 or so not use it much go for it.

08 October 2003, 11:13

dukhuntnmachine

what do you mean by inside frame rails? Is this a part that is easily replaced? I am sorry for my lack of knowledge, but I am new to the world of centerfire rifles.

08 October 2003, 17:42

J Wisner

When the bolt gets into the rear of its travel during cyling from firing. The bolt will rotate slightly and cause dimples in the rails. It will get bad enough as to cause problems.

Also the chamber will get rust in it and then will cause the bolt head to be ripped and break the extractor when fired.

The new models have larger lugs, and a hardened insert in the top of the action for the lugs to ride in.

Jim Wisner