Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing i can put another bRemington 742 barrel switch

I have a remington 742 auto in .243 win. and was wondering if i can take the barrel off and put on another 742 that is chambered in .308 win. The reason for this my .243 win is screwed except for the barrel. I have a buddy who own's 2 742 's in .308 and want to switch barrel's so he will have a nice little coyote rifle. Anyinfo would be appreciated , thank's Rick. PS. Merry Christmas and Happy Newyear everyone.

Just did the same with an -06 and a 280. Used the barrel and bolt head of the 280 onto the -06 frame. Worked fine.

I will second that opinion.
The head space is determined by the lock up of the bolt face.
If your rifle is screwed - chances are the locking lugs on the bolt face is also messed up.

I would just try to swap the barrel and then take it to a gunsmith and have the headspace checked, if it is ok - then you are in business, if it is too big - then you need to find another bolt.

Most people with a 742 complains that the bolt caused damage internally to the action - usually caused by people trying to shoot too hot a load in the auto loader. Makes the action open and close faster then it was designed to do.
Or a lack of lubrication or preventive maintenance.

Maybe you can parts the gun out and get most if not all your money back out of it.

And the gems do keep rolling!

My favorite Douchebeer gem:

"I don't want to upset someone here with my knowledge - but I am a machinist."

They should swap rather easily..

'Gem', is an apt description.. Geez..

For what it's worth, I think you could actually swap with a 30-06. Ive looked at doing it with the 760s and I am pretty sure the only difference is the filler in the magazine.

Thank's guy's, that is what i figured, just swap barrel's. I had this gun fixed 3 time's up here , and 3 time's it broke. The gun was a sentimental thing, my buddy gave it to me before he passed away, but after fixing it 3 time's by these guy's up here that call themselve's gunsmith's, enough is enough. I could have purchased a new rifle for what it cost in Smitty work. Anyway, thank's again guy's, i'll let you's know how it work's. Rick. Happy Newyear.

I wouldn't let you fix my bicycle.

I probably have more machinist tools then you do!

The length of the action and the port opening on the side of the action is smaller for a .243 then for a .30-06 Springfield.

I am fairly certain you are mistaken about the length of the action. IIRC, there is only one action for the series of pumps, regardles of calibre.

'Fairly' can go to 'absolutely'..

Wow! You gots some tools!

Dude, I make money fixing the chit guys "with tools" [bleep] up every day.

I'm sure, by looking at your posts here, that some guys are doing very well there in Pennsylvania cleaning up the chit you leave behind with your "tools".