[James D.]

So, almost two or three months ago I was at Gold 'N Guns on Hwy 51 and handled a rifle I knew nothing about. It was a semi auto .30-06 with a decent scope on it. And was priced at below $200. It was in pretty good condition, clean action, clean bore, action seemed to cycle well. I just didn't know what it was..... so I started thinking to myself and did some google searches, only to find out how awesome that rifle can be (and how horrible too)!

Well, two days ago, I was in another shop and saw what I believe to be the exact same rifle, priced at $310.

I'd like to buy a hunting rifle, and I've thought long and hard about buying a Garand this summer from CMP. I just don't know much about the remington, and honestly don't know too many specifics on garands (like what a nearly dead action looks like compared to a pristine action, and so on). Should I make a deposit on the remington, or save up and purchase a field or service grade Garand?

I'd like to be able to shoot the rifle (either one) on a regular basis and not be plagued with worry over whether or not something will break after a hundred rounds (there's much conversation over the remington rifles and some issues similar to that).

Thoughts?

 

[nonnieselman]

I have a 7400 in .270 and my dad has a 742woodmaster in 30-06.
Ive shot my .270 alot with no problems.
My dads 742 is pretty old, and he had a problem with it goin into battery but got it fixed..

The old ones have jamming issues from what i can tell. Hunting rifle, yes. Would i buy a Garand over the 7400, you better believe it!!

Just from my few outtings shooting the garand and being able to hit a 20" gong at 664yds with a single shot. Ill take it anyday, being a battle rifle thats able to do that.

 

[James D.]

I'm aware the Garand is a superior rifle (please don't think that I would pass up getting a garand for the remington.. maybe just delay the purchase for while LOL).

How old is old? I've heard rumors that remington won't/can't service that series rifle any longer. Are they easily maintenanced by a gun smith?

 

[nonnieselman]

Ill run the serial numbers on mine and his and report back..

Mine has a different 2 lugs lock in the breech (similar to a rem 700 Bolt action) were as his has 4 or 6 small locking lugs.
How far you plan on hunting?
I would feel comfortable with mine out to 250yds. They arent exactly the best grouping rifle but they will shoot 2 MOD instead of MOA.. (minutes of deer) :lol:

 

[James D.]

I honestly don't know. I'm not a hunter really. I wouldn't mind getting into it for a few days a season to "get away from it all". I have lots of friends who hunt deer and they would probably take me out with them. I'm not sure about what kind of distance I'd be going for with my shots, but probably less than 300 yards.

The Garand would be a shooter fore sure, I'd probably hunt with it too, given the opportunity, Hah. But I figured this rifle would be a pretty decent hunting rifle for the price, being a semi auto .30-06, it's pretty light, and as I said, it has a scope on it, although I don't know what kind. the bluing is in pretty good condition, but the rifle looks pretty old and well used. I'm not exactly sure if it's worth what he's asking (Especially considering I could just about swear I saw the exact same rifle at another shop for less).

 

[nonnieselman]

IF it has the 2 locking lugs id get it,, if the had the smaller 4 or 6 locking lugs id pass on it.

 

[Stryker6]

I have a 3 Rem. 7400's in 30-06, 280, 243 and one Rem. 742 woodsmaster in .308 my Grandpa left them to me. The 30-06 and .308 are well used and I still hunt with them. They are not MOA rifles that's for sure more like pie plate accuracy. If you want to shoot the 06 let me know.

 

[Doug Bowser]

I am not a big fan of the Remington Semi-auto centerfire rifles. The problem with them is that sheet metal extractor. They break fairly easily. The big problem is the amount of work it takes to replace the extractor. The barrel has to be removed, the old extractor removed and a new extractor has to be riveted into the bolt. I have not worked on any 7400 series rifles but I assume the system is the same.

Doug

 

[James D.]

By wind of what you're saying, Doug, it sounds like I should let this one pass.

Eh, probably for the better as I really don't know too much about them. And a garand is going to be an all around better weapon no matter what.

Now.. I wonder how difficult it would be to engineer a mount for a scope with a rail for a garand....? lol

 

[rebelles]

I think you would be surprised at the number of people using the 7400 for hunting. You do see reports of problems, but I think when you research it, the majority of the people who use it for hunting and not shooting 1000's of rounds of target practice, the gun runs fine.

I have a 7400 in .243 and just picked up older 742 .308 (Carbine). While I normally use a Browning BAR in either 308 or 30-06 to hunt with, I have seen nothing bad personally with the Remingtons. The bottom line is for the price you were talking about, you might as well get it. Someone will always buy it later if you don't like it. I just picked up the Model 742 in .308 because it is hard to find in the carbine (18 1/2" barrel - usually see the 30-06's that way) and paid more than you are describing just because I wanted that particular gun and it was in very good condition.

For information - the 742 was made from 1960 - 1980 I believe, then the 7400 began.

 

[Doug Bowser]

Let the chamber get a bit rusty or dirty in a Remington semi-auto CF rifle and watch the bolt shed the extractor.

Doug

 

[rebelles]

I will also add that I would not select a M1 Garand over the remington for an occasional hunting rifle (as you described you are looking for). I have a Garand also and it is great to go shoot at the range and is better quality (assuming you get one in good shape), worth more, etc, etc - however, IMO it is just to big and heavy for most hunting situations. Plus, I want a scope on my deer rifle and the Garand is just not set-up to have one. There will be people that will debate this and say all you need is open sights or whatever, but having hunted for for more than 25 years, I want to make sure I can make a good shot when one of those few opportunities comes around.

I would advise to just go ahead and get both!

 

[dhollis51]

I would advise to just go ahead and get both!

agreed.

I have had a scope mount for my garand for a while just cant come to put it on there.

 

[Xd357]

Why not buy a bolt action?

 

[Doug Bowser]

Why not buy a bolt action?

I have 2 bolt action rifles. A Win Mod 70 Pre-War in .270 WCF and a Yugo Mauser Model 1924 restocked and rebarreled to .243 Winchester. Both of them will outshoot most Semi-Auto rifles

Doug

 

[James D.]

Because I wouldn't want to use a bolt action for anything but hunting. At least I can recreationaly shoot a semi auto and enjoy it outside of a hunting environment.

I'm disinterested in a weapon that is unserviceable by it's maker, and could possibly have a known receiver and ejector issue.

After viewing the garand "sniper" rifles, I'm pretty sure I could draw up a bracket in cad similar to what they used, bend it in a break, and add a rail to it. That should work pretty well if you ask me.

Forgive me for not understanding the weight problems some of you guys are having. You must be wuss'... going through a few acres of woods with a garand is not that difficult. That weapon is not that heavy, And that's why god invented slings!


In case anyone is interested in the Remington rifle, it's at Village Pawn on Old Canton road next to Sal & Phils in Ridgeland.

 

[rebelles]

I believe the 7400 is still serviced by Remington. I think it is the the 742 that is not.

Again, I am specking from experience as a hunter - who also shoots a lot. I usually have around a dozen hunting rifles and as stated above, more times than not end up with a auto. I will say it is usually a Browning though.

As for "out shooting" the autos with a bolt action. I don't think anyone is going to agrue that on a range. But in real hunting situations, the auto is just as good. When you are starting to talk about sub-MOA's difference between the two types, that is discussions for range performance. If you are shooting 1" groups at 100 yards with any good, you are more than good to go to the woods with the weapon. You need to know how and where to shoot it at a live/moving target that is not clearly stepped off at 100 yards shooting from a bench rest.

As for the weight issue of the guns, to me the reduced weight is just a benefit because the gun is shorter. The shortness of the barrel allows you to ease through thicker woods while snagging on fewer tree branches and stuff. I could go marching through the woods with my garand, but I am not storming a beach in Europe - I will choose the gun that gives me more of an advantage.

As stated above, get a selection of different types and decide what you like. That;s the fun way to do it.

 

[PWB]

I had a Remington 7400 in .270 and it was a piece of crap...I learned why they are called "jam-o-matic"...however, there are a lot of hunters that swear by them and have not had any problems...it's a roll of the dice as to whether or not you buy one that will functions as advertised or will turn out to be a lemon...if I were looking for a semi-auto that would serve as a combination hunting/target rifle I would probably look in the direction of an AR style of rifle chambered in .308 Winchester...most are about the same price as a good quality Garand.

 

[Xd357]

I had a Remington 7400 in .270 and it was a piece of crap...I learned why they are called "jam-o-matic"...however, there are a lot of hunters that swear by them and have not had any problems...it's a roll of the dice as to whether or not you buy one that will functions as advertised or will turn out to be a lemon...if I were looking for a semi-auto that would serve as a combination hunting/target rifle I would probably look in the direction of an AR style of rifle chambered in .308 Winchester...most are about the same price as a good quality Garand.

that's a good idea an ar would fit the bill as a range/hunting rifle.

 

[James D.]

I loathe AR style rifles. I hated having to clean my M4 after a range day when i was in.

They jam, they get dirty as hell, and I'm not very fond if the .223 at all. I would consider an AR 10, and I would consider something in 6.8 if I absolutely had to have an AR.... but hopefully I will never convince myself I have a need for one.