Thread: What powders for Dad's 742?

Different gas systems handle the gas differently. For instance, the M1 Garand has system that does not handle the slower burning powders. That is, the slower powders have a longer pressure curve, and thus will cause the piston and op rod to keep accelerating longer and slam harder against the receiver. Bullet weight also plays a role in that heavier bullets will exacerbate the pressures. It is generally recommended to use bullets of 172 gr or...

I have loaded a batch of Rem. pspcl's in 165 gr. with RL-15. I think it will work just fine. Anyhow, dad is the type to just check zero and then shoot 1-2 shots and have his meat every year. He kills very well but doesn't shoot as a hobby like us. Farmed his whole life and never had time. Poor guy, I am trying to get him to enjoy shooting for fun and also buy a bolt gun with a scope just to realize the experience. I will say this...

SlamFire Once the caliber was stated I never thought past it. You are absolutely correct, 4350 would beat it to death.

Quote: A too heavy,(over 165 grains), combined with the slower burn rate of 4350 and others in pilgrims list, will over drive the gas system and result in the bolt locking lugs damaging the receiver. Of course powder burn rates affect port pressure of the various gas operated designs. So does bullet weight. Matching bullet weight with a powders burn rate results in good velocity and port pressure. Designs like the M-1 garand have limitations...

Quote: When I say "faster" powders I am speaking of powders in the IMR4895, H335, Re7, IMR3031, TAC range. The "medium" range would be like Varget, IMR4064, Re15. The "slower" range for .30-06 would be IMR/H4381, H450, IMR4350, Re19, Hunter. What nwpilgrim said! AND what I should have said instead of "under 4350". A too heavy,(over 165 grains), combined with the slower...

4064 or RL15 will work just fine. Good choice of bullets with plastic tips. If I was going to buy an auto, it would be a BAR.

yeah its been reliable. Its an old model handled down from my step grandfather. I think its at least 20 years old if not older my dad was telling me. it had some oooooooold rounds that were probably never removed from its box magazine in a loooooong time. thats the reason why I reloaded it cuz I couldn't find any ammo for it lol. all rounds (old and reloads) have fired and cycled like a champ through it.

Something else I remember about the 742. It was also chambered for the.280 and I was told that to keep from blowing it up factory loads were downloaded by about 20%. Now if this was true or not I never found out for sure. I did notice that in some of the reloading manuals of the time that .280s weren't loaded to the velocity of a .270. Always made me wonder.

Honestly, most people I know have caught pure hell trying to reload for the 742 (including me.) Of course, mine won't cycle with factory loads, but I know a few who that will cycle factory loads but not reloads. Don't ask me why. Good luck.

What in the heck is a "742" ?