Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Recommended Loads For The Dreaded Remington 742 Jamomatic

I used to have a reliable non jamming, fully functioning load for my Remington 742 30-06 but somehow in my five moves in the last 6 years it is missing. I realize this rifle has a bad reputation but I found the right load to make it behave. Any loads anyone can recommend?

I know it’s a long shot but I have to try. Thank You

Idk if you can find them anywhere these days, but I've had the best success with factory Remington 165gr Cor-lokts. 150s and 180s shot patterns but 165s were just a hair over moa.

Mid range H4895 loads with 150s is generally the thought and find a NEW magazine. Many blame a bent or worn out magazine for jams.

I guess a good starting point would be to try to get factory load velocities from standard Remington, Winchester and Federal? They're designed to shoot in those rifles.

The rails get "chipped" and it was pretty much the demise of the gun. When that happens, you might as well make it a mantle piece or have it converted to a pump.

medium weight bullets with medium burning powders!

That rifle takes gas from the bottom of the barrel. There is a block assembly on the bottom of the barrel where the gas is captured that contains a check ball and spring that can become fouled. If you haven't checked that, it might be worth a shot. The action cannot function properly if there is a problem there. The gun should be cleaned upside down like the M 1 Carbine.

150 grain bullet and up to 50-51 grains of IMR4895 or IMR 4064; over 2700 FPS

With a 165, up to about 47-48 of the above powders; over 2600fps

I wouldn’t use a slower powder than 4064.

Clean the chamber with solvent and a chamber mop on a flexible handle (Dewey makes one).

I always considered the 742 as a single shot....it was with most of the guys I hunted with in MN...

of course that could have just been how cold it was, and nothing else..

I never had much use for them.

I’ve only owned three of them. Maybe if I buy another I will get a jammer. I reloading for all of them with no problem. Just not to hot. Edk

I admit I'm prejudiced. When a guest shows up at the camp with one I can't help but thinking "Oh boy, here we go" and I've mostly been right.

50gr IMR 4064 with 165gr or 48gr IMR 4064 with 180gr bullets. Fairly mild loads but accurate sometimes surprisingly so. Generally 1.5 to 1.8 in for three shots at a 100 yds with 165 gr Sierra HP GameKing, 180 gr Sierra Pro Hunter or 180 gr Nosler Partition protected point.

I know it isn’t the same rifle and I haven’t worked with a 742 but I did some load work for my Pops BAR 30-06

Used a mid point load of 55 grains of RL16 with a 180 Accubond. Doesn’t seem to run hard and it’s as accurate as I can be with it.

[img]https://hosting.photobucket.co...64_9000_C32697F98664_IMG_6599.HEIC[/img]

H4350 looked fine as well.

[img]https://hosting.photobucket.co...86_9191_1548FA6BB2CF_IMG_6570.HEIC[/img]

I’m sure I could tinker and tune and make it better but 200 would be a stretch for him anyhow. It works as any 30-06 does, knocks stuff flat with big leaky exits for him to follow if needed.

I’m not too sure how many I’ve owned - several and my experience is the same.
Keep it clean, use medium burn rate powders, 150 to 180 grain bullets (50 to 165 may even be better).
Keep what’s needed to be lubed, lubed. Even a very light lube like Kroil in cold weather. You might try a dry lube when it’s way below zero temp-wise.

The only reason I no longer have a 742 or 74 or 7400 is that I likely shoot well over a hundred rounds in practice for every round I shoot at game - I reload. My range is on my yard. The benches and where I shoot off-hand are surrounded by grass and I hate looking for and wasting time looking for brass.

But if you desire to abuse semi-automatics you might consider converting to slide action or trading for a slide action.