Ok, So my dad is getting a bug up his butt for a new semi-auto hunting rifle. It's been decades since he's been hunting and he's long sold off his rifles. Last time he hunted he used a Rem. 30-06.

This actually makes some sense as he is 68 and has a binged up shoulder so the softer recoil of a Semi isn't a bad thing.

I've shot the 740 - it's basically 2moa or less gun which works just fine. Longest shot he will take will be marginally longer than 100 yards so we are good there.

I don't know much about the Browning's though. Anyone have any comparisons to offer? I'm more of Remington guy anyway and I'm leaning that direction.

PS: he's open on calibers - not particularly picky at all. I'm thinking .270. Maybe a 7-08. Something with a tad softer recoil.

PPS: I'll be buying it for him as a Father's Day gift.

Thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Ok, So my dad is getting a bug up his butt for a new semi-auto hunting rifle. It's been decades since he's been hunting and he's long sold off his rifles. Last time he hunted he used a Rem. 30-06.

This actually makes some sense as he is 68 and has a binged up shoulder so the softer recoil of a Semi isn't a bad thing.

I've shot the 740 - it's basically 2moa or less gun which works just fine. Longest shot he will take will be marginally longer than 100 yards so we are good there.

I don't know much about the Browning's though. Anyone have any comparisons to offer? I'm more of Remington guy anyway and I'm leaning that direction.

PS: he's open on calibers - not particularly picky at all. I'm thinking .270. Maybe a 7-08. Something with a tad softer recoil.

PPS: I'll be buying it for him as a Father's Day gift.

Thoughts?

If it was me, I'd go with the Remington based on the 7600's I've owned and my cousin's 7400. Accuracy is decent and they are very reliable in just about any conditions you can think of. The 7mm-08 will do anything your dad wants to do and his shoulders will appreciate it.

I have a 7400 in .308 Win that is not extracting. Have done everything I can think of or can find on the internet to it ... no go. Turns out not to be an uncommon problem.

Ticks me off. First handload I tried for it gave me 1 1/4" groups at 100. Was a good truck gun.

Never heard of that problem with the 7600 Much better choice!

All of the Remington semi-autos (740, 742, 7400, etc.) that I've dealt with yield a nice improved-modified to full choke pattern. Distribution within a 30" circle at 40 yards is fairly even with only a few strays outside of the circle.

I haven't fired a Browning Short Trac. Their original BAR is usually pretty accurate for an automatic with a two piece stock. My father-in-law's old .270 BAR does about 1.25 MOA with factory 130 grain Corelocts.

If your set on a semi- , take the Browning.

Of the two, the Browning--however if you could the old BAR is definitely a better rig than the new Short Trac, and better than any of them is the Benelli, it can be broken down and cleaned from the breach, which I really like. The two I have shot are very accurate.

Always fun buying a new rig!

People like to bash the remington but mine (742 in 30-06) has been flawless. The bulk of my shooting is with other rifles, but I shoot it maybe 10 shots a year and clean it once a year after it is done with deer season. Three shots to check zero routinely group @ 1.5 inches from a rock solid rest and I usually harvest 3-4 deer with it. If you are buying used, watch the bolt slide rails for wear. There are two main issues you can run into with this gun. A dirty chamber and overuse, I think this is one gun that the action will wear out faster than the barrel. While I still feel that the Browning is a superior rifle, I would recommend the remington to any casual user who knows how to properly clean the chamber of the rifle along with the barrel. I've seen both BARs and other remingtons jam before but my 742 never has. Maybe I just hit the lottery or maybe it responds to being taken care of. The 7400 is supposed to be an improvement

Get him a FN/FAL & use a 5 round mag. They WORK!

I'm a fan of the Browning. Seen three real nice shooters at the local range.

i too would suggest the browning. but, i'd first look on gunbroker or the other sites for a used, in great condition bar, in 7/08 or 270 win. whatever you decide, glad to read you and your dad can hunt together.

quote:

Originally posted by LBGuy:
i too would suggest the browning. but, i'd first look on gunbroker or the other sites for a used, in great condition bar, in 7/08 or 270 win. whatever you decide, glad to read you and your dad can hunt together.

/Snicker. My dad and I can hunt together as long as it's about 3 days or less. By the 4th day I keep thinking "I have a gun, shovel and a 4x4 and I'm in Texas..."

I do love my dad but damn does he push my buttons! There are few things more enjoyable though than watching my Dad try and explain how to cook a steak...and invariably it ends up WELL done!

In the remington autos,
I would recomend the 742 over the 740.
I have a couple of frends who have used them for at least 20 years without a janb, and never treated them very well either.
and both love them.
I don't know why but they love them, and I have seen both of them hit game at ranges i woul,nt shoot with any rifle.
...tj3006