The issue w the 742s is bolt rail chew.
That and neglect.
Lots of them got pitted chambers due to hunting in cold and folks not maintaining them.
Reportedly the .30-06 ones got the chew, from shooting 180gr and heavier loads.
Had a couple, they ran fine. Not jamming.
I also suspect folks being soft (big and or fat), and or wearing soft clothes............kinda "soft shoulders" the gun and causes issues.
Carbine,minty, scope and in .30-06 ran like a top. BUT............cold bore shot was 1" high at 100.
The next ones from hot bbl impacted 7 inches or so low.
No wonder it was minty.
Got a beater reg rifle (carried a lot, not shot much) and it was a 1.5" gun at 100 yards w 150 grain Coreloks.
All the time.
No wonder prev owners took it hunting.
So..................IMHO, in .30-06...............the 7400 is the one to get.
But the way the bbl and gas system is, its a roll of the dice if it's gonna shoot well or not.
Proly not worth the gamble.
THey do feel good, and look goood.
Accuracy Systems does barrel and other mods. Not cheap.
Don't know if handloading will help much w a 7400.
Ive had bolt guns that shot way better w handloads so would assume some accuracy gains could be had.
But being an auto, and having regular reloading dies...........I just never did it.
Ran factory ammo and was happy at 1.5" @ 100.
I have a .30-06 bolt gun, so won't be buying an auto in that cartridge.
A 7400 comes along in something else (.243 or ? ) I might.