I have a Remington 742 that was my dad's. I won't sell the rifle because of its sentimental value but I don't hunt with it either. It was never one that was plagued with the jamming but it was well taken care of. It shoots 2-2.5" groups with 150 grain Federal Power Shoks.

Having said that, I would not get the BAR either....especially if this was going to be my only hunting rifle. Two or three seasons ago I had a friend that lost two weeks of deer hunting due to his BAR being at the gunsmith awaiting parts. Can't recall what the part was but it was a part he normally carried....however this particular year he had fixed a lot of these problems and had ran out of these parts.

$2000 will buy you a very capable bolt action and optics.