742 Woodmaster receiver re-drilled ???

Gundude65

I bought one recently and when I got time I started to install a scope. To my seriously gut wrenching surprise, it has been re-drilled and at the time it looked good. However, the re-drilled screws are loose and/or stripped. Anyone know if it can be welded and re-drilled? I've heard and read that Mig welding can be an answer; I'm looking to anyone that has an answer before I sink money into this oldie but goodie! Thanks in advance.

rufe-snow

I wouldn't put a dime into it, unless you can first verify that it is reliable function and accuracy wise. Those old Remington auto's don't have a good rep for durability, if they have seen a lot of shooting and hard use.

The oversized, striped, holes might reflect the above. Obviously I don't know what caliber it is? If it's a 30-06 though, that has shot a lot of heavy bullet handloads using the wrong kind of powder? It might be a POS, thats only good for parting out?

charliemeyer007

If they are in the right place I'd go to the next larger screw size.

Mobuck

Brownells sells a slightly bigger screw(bigger than #6)that might help you. My question is "redrilled"? Are there 2 sets of holes?
A properly maintained and lubed 742 will last most shooter(and their kids) a lifetime. A poorly maintained 742 hung in the pickup gun rack with no mag and the bolt open and allowed to fill with road dust before being "Ramboed", may not hold up as well.

nononsense

Gundude65,

Often these days, we open the factory screw holes from 6-48 to 8-40. Some times we even add pins for really heavy recoiling rifles.

Check with an 8-40 screw first after cleaning out the holes. It might be that they have accumulated some fouling and just need a pipe cleaner and some solvent.

If they are stripped, a good gunsmith might be better suited to helping you solve your dilemma.

Best.

tsr1965

Sounds like the original 6-48 holes have been opened up to the 8-40. You might try getting an 8-40 tap from a gunsmith supply store like Brownell's, or Midway, and chase the threads.

Other than that, let a good gunsmith determine what needs to be done. He should be able to advise you if this is even worth investing more money into.

As rufe-snow pointed out, those old 742's, are seldom good investments. If you get one that works, then good for you, but most of the time they need a little TLC, and even sometimes that does not fare well.

Best

Ray B

I know of several custom builders that use the larger screw size because of the greater strength. As noted above, I'd check the #8 screw and see if it threads before I took any further action. I differ from some of the above- my dad has had two 740s and both worked well, but then they were kept clean and properly lubriplated.

dcs shooters

Bought a 740 30-06 in '65, still shoots good and nothing shot loose in all these years [:D] Take care of one and you will have no problems [^]
And it's tig welding to fix it, if needed. Mig is too hot for the receiver [xx(]

Emmett Dunham

Hela coils work great and if installed properley will last as long as any threaded hole and are not real hard to install.

Emmett

TWalker

A good gunsmith will have no problem fixing your rifle's problem with the screw holes. The other issue with Model 740's and 742's is that the bolt is harder than the receiver and works in a way that the bolt eventually wears out the track it moves in, chews it up and then one day the bolt won't slide any more on its own, leaving you with at best, a single shot autoloader. Preventitive maintenance is the solution. Keep the action and bolt very clean. Wipe down everything you can see inside after every shooting session and lubricate the area the bolt slides with a good lube like "Breakfree". Never lube with WD-40. Limit your shooting to sighting in, occasional practice sessions, and hunting, and your 742 may last a lifetime or more. Mistreat it and it may die a very early death. I own and occasionally shoot a Model 740 made in 1957 in 30-06 caliber. It will most likely outlast me.

Gundude65

To all if you've come back to see if I replied, thank you for your advice. I'm confident that the action and bolt are still reliable; I also have bore sighted the iron sights and they are true. I'm looking into the options as I seek a good gunsmith in my area. As for the response that requested two sets of drilled holes; yes, that was the dilemma that I was speaking about. I like my option of the hela coils as well. Thanks again and best regards.

tsr1965

quote:I also have bore sighted the iron sights and they are true.

You have had the barrel off that rifle? That is about the only that rifle can be bore sighted, unless you use a bore scope to look thru the bore.

Best