Growing up in South Arkansas in the 60s and 70s it seemed like everyone had a 740 or 742, mostly in 30-06. I had one and have my father's in the safe. Killed a lot of deer with both.
I saw the same thing in Michigan and West Virginia. Dad, granddad, uncles....they all killed critters with them. To be fair, a box of ammo would last these guys 5-10 years, so they didn't wear them out.
I have fooled around with dad's 740 and it would shoot 1.25" three shot groups, then open up to over 2" as it heated up.
Remember to clean the chamber!!
405wcf
