Rem 7400 good deer rifle?

blue-darter

I recently got a "good" deal on a Remington 7400 (350.00 NIB with high gloss finish). Is this a rifle worth having for deer hunting in the Southeast? If so, what cartridge do you suggest? I've been somewhat alarmed by horror stories of the piece jamming and being somewhat tempermental. On the other hand you also read glowing reviews. So you can understand the confusion. I'm mainly hunting woods and food plots with max shots at 200 yards. Any advice on this firearm would be greatly appreciated.

BD

Blue-Darter

BOBBYWINS

What caliber????

IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.

bambihunter

For 200 yard shots it should be more than adequate. A friend of mine has either the 7400 or the 740 in a .270 and he likes it. For long distance shooting, he still takes his Rem. 700 in .270 because it is a little more accurate.
I personally shoot a Ruger .44 mag carbine, and have taken deer out to 100 yards with it with open sights. For your 200 yard limit, I'd take a heavy bullet so there's less wind drift and less deflection off of grass and such. I'd personally opt for the .308 if 200 will be your max range. If you ever think you might shoot furter, than .270 would be next followed by a 30-06 unless you are recoil sensative, then I'd choose the .243.
My next rifle (for me personally) will be a heavy-barrelled .243 (or 6mm) bolt-action gun.
Good luck.
P.S. How did you buy a gun and still get to choose the caliber?

blue-darter

Sorry folks,
In posting my first question I forgot the most important point! It's a 30-06. Thanks for the help!

BD

Blue-Darter

257izmycal

I would suggest 150 grain bullets. But others might say that 130 grainers are sufficient. Your deer are not as big as the ones in Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas are they? Most people around my region say 150 grainers are the best. It really boils down to what shoots best in your weapon and is appropriate for your area. JM2CW, 257

You're a statistic whether you want to be or not.

nelchris

I have had a few plus 2 buds have them ,we use them just for hunting and sighting in,use factory hunting ammo and in 20 years not 1 jam
What I have seen is frozen firing pins but SE no worries
You got a good gun at a good price
Find the Ammo your gun likes and get good with it
PS,I dont like see thru scope mounts look at the knock off 2 pc weavers
best of both worlds

krw

I use one every day during deer season. Mine is a 30-06 in the carbine model. I use the remington 180gr. roundnose soft points. They are slow, drop like a 1 egg puddin but will kill deer like the hammer of god. We use dogs in SW Arkansas and it is my rifle of choice. With this combo (leupold 4x scope) it is a good 200yd. rifle. I carry a bolt 30-06 to hunt in fields, clearcuts where you can stretch on out.
regards
krw

allechalley

I watched my father shoot a running whitetail in eastern Wyoming
30 years ago with a 30-06 model 740. It was trying for the S. Dakota border where we wouldn't be able to retreive without a lot of hassle. Dropped with one shot I believe with a 170 grain silver tip winchester. Went stem to stern. Probably dressed 150.

The only trouble I remember was we had cleaned and oiled before going and it was beastly cold. We'd used gun oil and it congealed enough to slow the action down and it would usually not clear the case out of the action (sort of like a stovepipe jamb). We found a forerunner of teflon lube and shot some on. End of problem with jambs. This probably wouldn't happen there ( It was something like 10 below in the morning).

I've seen something of a changover to pump action when the gas mechanism wears out, but gawd, you must have to sleep at the shooting bench to put that many thru one.