Thinking about a trade....

[RonE]

A friend has a Remington 760 that he wants to trade me for my Remington 742.

My rifle is 1979 vintage and looks like it has never been fired and has a Redfield 3X9 wideview (widefield?) scope and is a BDL

His rifle is 1968 vintage and has an aftermarket recoil pad and a Baush and Loam "Balvar" scope. The 760 shows signs of use. The 760 also seems to have a 742 magazine unless the pump action rifle had a magazine that disallowed the bolt to close when the magazine was empty.

The Balvar scope system is from the period this rifle was made as I recall, it has all the adjustments in the mounts and was advertised as being able to use the same scope on several rifles, each with it's own seperate mount. Because the scope was mounted in a "vee block" it was supposed to maintain zero from one rifle to another. There are no adjustments on the scope except magnification.

Both rifles are 30-06.

I have no desire to own either one and I am buried (charity auction) in the 742 but I would have donated anyway. Consiquently, I am not looking for values (I can curise Gunbroker along with everyone else) but rather the good and bad point of owning either rifle.

I understand the 760 is perhaps more accurate and I know that the 742 us maintenance intensive (cleaning) or it will actually wear out.

What are your thoughts pro and con with reguards to the two guns?

What are your thoughts on the BalVar scope system?

Yes, I know there are better scopes, I am only concerned about your experience with the B&L particular system. I remember the B&L system being advertised years ago but this is the first one I have ever touched or seen.

I do not plan on keeping either rifle, just want some thoughts and opinions and would like to keep this out of the "you should get a Savage" line of responses.

 

[litman252]

Even with the 742 being in great shape there are some shops that would not take in on a trade in, too hard to get parts for. The 760 (IMHO) will always be servicable. I know nothing on the scope........

FWLIW,

Tony

 

[Col. Plink]

760's are awesome, dude (seriously). Do the deal.

 

[NCsmitty]

Obviously your friend is hot to get his hands on the 742, and if you plan on getting rid of either one, let him have the 742. Your good deed may come back to you, down the road.
The Bausch & Lomb Balvar 8 scope is a bit dated, but did have a good reputation back in the 60's and 70's. If the glass is still clear, it still may be a fine combo for the 760.
There are a few on Gunbroker right now for $80-100 without mount. Mounts run $20-25 or so.


NCsmitty

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I had a Balvar 8 on a .30-06 Rem. 721, my first centerfire rifle. Bought it used from a friend.

The rifle's still with me after 40+ years, but the scope's long gone. While I had it, I could never zero it properly. Seemed like it ran out of adjustment. Had a 'smith look at it and he either drew a blank or decided not to touch it. Replaced it back in the day with a steel tube Weaver V9. That's still with me too. One of my best scopes.

Shoot the 760 before you trade. Try to get some groups. Some 760s are great, others are to be avoided. First one I had wasn't accurate and the action would open itself firing factory ammo....maybe it thought it was a 742.

The 760 I inherited from my Dad is a tack driver and has never given a bit of trouble. Before the .22-250 came through the door, it was the woodchuck rifle here...and it killed a lot of them. Both were .30-06s from the late '50s.

If the 742's pristine and working well, I'd think twice about swapping. Better the 'devil' you know.
Bob

 

[RonE]

Thanks for the thoughts. Anyone else?

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Both are great deer rifles. Presumably equivalent scopes.

I would personally go with the 760 - all things being equal. It will simply last longer. A physical pump will get you through a lot more shooting and wear than reliance on a mechanical action for loading another round.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Maybe we just used the wrong magazines, but in my experience the 760 and 740 family of Remington magazines are the same thing. It just depends on the length of cartridge.

 

[qajaq59]

Back in the sixties I swapped for a used 760. I had read that the pumps couldn't shoot all that well, but I liked the look of it. In the end, with hand loads, it shot like a dream. Great rifle, and it has dropped everything from wood chucks to moose with no problems. And once you get used to the pump it'll give you a very fast second shot if you need it.

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

Inherently if both the 742 and 760 are in good condition the pump action will have better accuracy potential over the auto loader virtually by means of the more positive breech locking system , bolt action better yet, single shot type actions better still . The Baush and Lomb Balvars are very fine precision ground optic scopes. There were 2 basic adjustable mount systems and although are a test of a mans patience to get dialed in they are solid as the rock of Gibraltar. You can as I have proven to many on a small wager litterally pop the scope off of the mounts, snap it back into place being sure to tighten it securely and shoot right back to the same point of zero . I have had my 2x8 Balvar on a pre 64 model 70 Win. 264 Mag that was my fathers before it was mine unchanged for over 45 years and has more than proven itself as a clear and reliable scope I would not want to part with .