got a 7400 in '06 and have put 250 rounds through and never a problem. my grandpa bout a 742 the first year they came out and uses it every year deer hunting and then for coyotes and on a few elk hunts great gun shoulders like a 870 and shoots good in terms of deer guns which they mainly are pinpoint isnt necisary but they will easily put a deer on the ground. most problems are not the gun but the owner clean it and it wont fail you.

I bought a 742 in 1982 in .30-06. I don't much care for the rifle, much prefer bolt guns to semiautos. I have NEVER had a jam in it though. My main complaint is that it doesn't have the accuracy potential of a bolt rifle, although if I let mine cool all the way down to COLD in between shots it will group just about an inch with Remington 180 grain factory loads. I've never been able to work up a handload that was worth the trouble for this rifle.

Having said all this,the next time Iwander through thick brush looking for hogs, I'll be carrying my 742 instead of any of my bolt rifles. Long range accuracy potential don't mean a hoot to a wounded hog at ten yards![:-]

I have cleaned a couple of 7400s that were jamming and I have mounted scopes on a couple of 7400s.I have fired a half dozen or so 7400s and 742s and groups ranged from around 2" to over 5" at 100 yards.

Stubblejumper, I haven't had the luck you've had. I've zero'd probably several dozen 742's and 7400's over the years for people. I've seen a coupe that would shoot 1 1/2" groups, but more that averaged 8", 10", or far worse.

The jamming doesn't seem too bad if you keep them clean and the gun's not wore out. And yes, I wrote "wore out". A former Remington authorized repair guy told me that he's seen many 742's just worn out. He stated the rifle was never expected to last like a bolt action should. I've seen a couple first hand that were worn out when 30-06 surplus ammo was more available. Guys would pick up a 742, shoot it to death with cheap ammo, then end up with a rifle that wouldn't function anymore.

When I lived in Danville, VA, a local gunshop had a sign on the door that listed weapons that would not trade for. 742's were on the list.

Just ran across this old thread and thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. I bought a new 7400 in 30/06 about 28 years ago. I've killed no telling how many deer with it over the years. It shot very good groups at 100 yards and closer. Plenty good enough to hunt with. It jammed occasionally but I always put up with it. It eventually got worse and worse (and I only shot it a few times during deer season each year). I took very good care of it andkept it spotless inside and out.It finally got to where the trigger wouldn't pull. I retired it tothe gun cabinet and haven't picked it up for about 8 or 9 years.I have in-laws who've hunted with7400's and 742's all their lives and they've never had any trouble with theirs. They don't take very god care of their guns either. So, go figure.