Henry Rifle Forums

I've been going back to my old 30.06 Remington 74 Sportsman semi automatic rifle the last couple of deer seasons. It is still reliable and very accurate. Does anyone else have one of these, or an older rifle that you just don't want to ever retire. It is like me , a few scars, but still going. Took 2 deer with it this season, that is all a man can ask of it.

mine is a 1971 Browning BLR 308 ....

One of my biggest firearm regrets was selling my Browning BLR years ago. Great lever gun.

did the Remington 74 replace their 742 Woods Master ? .... I had a 742 back in the mid to late 60's .... my only complaint with it was it was really heavy .... when Remington discontinued offering support/parts for the 742 I sold mine .... still don't know if that was a good move or not

The 740 came first, then the 742 and finally the 7400. The 74 Sportsman is a plain jane version of the 7400. Just not as fancy.

Those 74 series Remingtons, along with the 76x series pumps have been a popular deer guns in our north woods for a very long time. Still see quite a few around, but mostly with the older generation, now.

info appreciated

North Country Gal wrote:The 740 came first, then the 742 and finally the 7400. The 74 Sportsman is a plain jane version of the 7400. Just not as fancy.

Those 74 series Remingtons, along with the 76x series pumps have been a popular deer guns in our north woods for a very long time. Still see quite a few around, but mostly with the older generation, now.

North Country Gal....+1 on that older generation. You described me to a T.....LOL

There was also the Sportsman 78 which was the plain model 700. Had a birch stock that was tough as nails and a rather dull blue but not the rough matte like new guns. There was a lot of those grabbed up and made into target rifles and long range varmint guns because of how cheap they could be bought and have a new barrel installed for other calibers. I bought a new one in 223 when they were first offered for a little over $200 including tax. It also had the same adjustable trigger as the 700's and shot great.

The Sportsman series were great values, for sure. That's was back in the day when Remington was a different company than it is now.

I am not familiar with the BLR so searched on the net and found this picture of the action. Doesn't the BLR have a rotating bolt? I take it only the locking lugs rotate?

that is correct .... the end section with lugs rotates and locks in place .... it is my understanding that Henry's Long Ranger uses the same setup .... as best I can remember neither the 742 I used to have nor the 700's I still have employ the same type of locking mechanism

Pretty sure the Remingtons used a one piece multiple lug bolt that rotated and locked into place, rather than a two piece rotating locking bolt setup as on the Browning.

That's was back in the day when Remington was a different company than it is now.[/quote]

You said a mouthful there. They are a horrible customer service company and there Marlin models have been terrible. Al

North Country Gal wrote:Pretty sure the Remingtons used a one piece multiple lug bolt that rotated and locked into place, rather than a two piece rotating locking bolt setup as on the Browning.

the 700's are bolt actions .... the 742 was a semi auto

I was referring to the semi auto Remingtons bolt setup, but you're right, of course, on the 700 being a bolt gun.

North Country Gal wrote:I was referring to the semi auto Remingtons bolt setup, but you're right, of course, on the 700 being a bolt gun.

and you are absolutely right about the 742's locking bolt ....

North Country Gal wrote:The 740 came first, then the 742 and finally the 7400. The 74 Sportsman is a plain jane version of the 7400. Just not as fancy.

I think that is what appealed to me in regards to the 74 Sportsman. Not a bling rifle that I am afraid to take in the woods. But don't get me wrong, I still like some bling now and then.

There were some years when the 7400 had that factory pressed basketweave checkering. I, too, would prefer the Sportsman to that version.