Should I SELL or KEEP my .30-06 hunting rifle?

[Chaplain Scott]

Well, I have had my Remington 742 BDL in .30-06 for the past 45 years (got it for Christmas when I was 15), so its kind of a toss-up, keep it and pass it on to a child or grandchild when they get big enough, or sell it and get only $300 for it........ I do agree that if you really want something for SHTF scenarios, go with an AR platform in either .223 OR .308 (there are tradeoffs there as well---easier to carry more rounds with the .223; greater downrange impact with the .308)

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[gunthorp]

Keep it, and if $$ are a problem, an AK clone is cheaper, cheaper to shoot, thumps harder, and is fun to shoot. 7.62X39 will hunt right along with the 30-30 should you ever part with or lend out the 06. The 223 payload runs out of steam before its groups spread, and the AK is the opposite. IMO (I'll get flamed for this) they're both 200 yarders at best, but plenty for anti-social gatherings. Oneshot recommended the best all around rifle would be the AR10 308. Whatever you get, AR or AK, I know you'll have a blast. Cheers.

[10thmtn]

I have a Mini 14. When I wanted something with more power for barrier penetration in .30-something, I went with a .30-30 lever gun (6 shot mag tube).

You have a 5-shot .30-06. Keep it. If you are concerned with capacity, get more 5-rd mags, or the available 10-rounders.

Personally, I think you might have more of a need to penetrate cover than you will have an immediate need for 30 rounds of ammo.

Take that rifle to the range and shoot it, before you decide. You might find you really like the thump of the .30-06, compared to the .223. And for the price of an AR, you can buy lots of .30-06 ammo and mags for your rifle.

[QKShooter]

Did you know that there are 10 round CLIPS <~~~~available for that rifle?

I'm in a bad mood right now - I dare somebody to correct me and post that it's called a "magazine" and not a clip.


I actually believe in trading off or selling any firearms that an owner might not be too keen on but, that is a fine long gun. I would buy two or three 10 round mags for it and keep it as extra SHTF insurance.

[jblitz]

Had a 742 that I got from my dad almost 30 years ago. Sold it after 2 years because I really needed the money at the time. There is not a week that goes by that I do not regret selling that rifle.

[oneshot]

Did you know that there are 10 round CLIPS <~~~~available for that rifle?

I'm in a bad mood right now - I dare somebody to correct me and post that it's called a "magazine" and not a clip.


I actually believe in trading off or selling any firearms that an owner might not be too keen on but, that is a fine long gun. I would buy two or three 10 round mags for it and keep it as extra SHTF insurance.

^^^^^^^^^^^I was on^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


My way to the store to buy my favorite "MAGAZINE" when someone "CLIPPED" my New girlfriends car.

[jblives2ride]

keep the 06 and save a little longer for the ar you'll get the best of both worlds you may change your mind about hunting down the road

[gobbly]

If it's opinion you're looking for, I don't sell my firearms. If I want a new one, my collection grows :)

[Ram Rod]

Should I SELL or KEEP my .30-06 hunting rifle? It's a Model 742 'Woodsman' by Remington, semi-auto, 5-shot capacity. I have NEVER used it for hunting (or anything, except sighting it in). I'm thinking it's not the best SHTF gun. So I am leaning towards selling it.

But I am seeking advice from the wise sages here, that might convince me to keep it. It does have some serious firepower, but I am thinking a AR-style .223 might be better to have in the closet.

What say you?

Thanks for any comments.

-

What say I? Buckle your seat belts kids! It's story time.

Any pics?

About four years ago on a decent November day, I went down to the range for my weekly brass fix. My work schedule let me do this in the middle of the week and usually I was the only one on the range at these times when I went. This day I heard a shot before I unlocked and opened the second gate. Old Chevy Silverado parked behind the 100yd end of the bay. I was headed to the 25-50yd end. Unpacked all of my stuff and set up at a bench. Noticed the guy had gone down to check his target, so I set up mine before he came back. 100yds is a nice walk, but a set of binos or a spotting scope is good to have IMO. Anyway, the fellow came back and I asked if the range was hot again since he was at the other end about 60 feet from me. I emptied a few mags, reloaded a few, and while reloading I heard a few more shots from his end and then noticed him looking my direction. Apparently waiting for the all clear signal from me so he could go down range to check his target again! Now......I'm generally a pretty easy going guy, but I'm aware of a lot more when it comes to going to the range in the first place. I figure most folks that are at the range are competent and come prepared. Well.......I guess he was expecting to be the only one there that day. So I clear my pistols and continue loading mags while I gave him the okay to take that walk again. When he got back to his bench I looked over and asked how he was doing and if it was okay for me to continue generating more brass on my end. That's when the can of worms opened and I ended up walking down to his end of the range to listen. He had one single box of Rem 30-06 on the table (20rd box yellow and green). He told me he fired ten shots and never hit his target at 100yds. Guy was over 60 and likely retired. I didn't pay much attention to the rifle at that moment, but I suggested that if he was missing at 100yds had he started out at 25 or 50yds. He said no, and that he just traded some handgun and $100 for this rifle and he planned on going deer hunting this year. He then said that he thought he got screwed on the deal. My wheels are still turning at this point, but my years of experience and willingness to teach others or help out in time of need on the range was activated. I told him you gotta know where you're shooting first and before you simply take it out to 100yds first go. So........I set him up a target at 50yd (mind you only ten rounds left in the ONLY box of ammo he brought). He loaded three in the magazine. At this point I noticed it was a semi-auto. Nice engraved wood stock, open sights on the barrel with a scope mounted. He's now at the bench next to mine and we go a nice target set on the 25yd line. He shot. Hold everything.....low and left I mean like 7 o'clock and barely on paper 15"x15". So we go back to the bench....I take the scope caps off and do the adjustments I figure in my head for windage and elevation. Try that....another shot. High and to the right just a few inches above center. Figuring I over calculated, I run the adjustments back a bit, and third shot low and left but not as bad as the first. At this point the guy says here....why don't you shoot it. At this point I'm well aware that 13 rounds have been spent now and seven left in the box. I seldom if ever shoot someone else' firearm at the range...especially a stranger's. That's just me. Well, I said okay, fine. Maybe we do need to figure out what's going on. So loaded three more in the magazine. I get behind the rifle and shoulder it...look through the scope and immediately new the problem. The cross hairs were off about 10 degrees canted to the left. I immediately told him we were not shooting another round until I fixed the scope. Turns out even the front ring was loose. I always carry tools to the range. Got her all set up and zeroed at 25yds with two shots that I fired leaving five left in the box. The man said that's great and was completely satisfied even though I suggested he fire once more at 100yd to nail it down for good. Well........it is what it is.....and he went on his way with a sighted in scope at 25ydsand five rounds of ammo left on the box......going deer hunting no less. The rifle happened to be a Remington 742 Woodsmaster. To this day I think I could have had one of my own for pennies on the dollar since this fellow was sooooo disappointed with it. I'd hate to think of what might have happened to the rifle had I not been there at the range that day. Obviously it didn't fall into my hands. More than likely it didn't take any deer that year either (just a guess). Thing is........I'm not generally impressed with other peoples firearms......I'm set in my ways and I don't collect. But I'll tell you what......I would seriously like to have that rifle the old guy had at the range that day. I looked it up online after I got home matter of fact. Not many semi auto rifles made with open sights any more. Engraved wood stock and looked very nice. You see....I made a connection with it and I did look for a couple of years afterward for one just like it and couldn't find. For a total of 20-30mins I had a good experience with the Rem 742 Woodmaster. I also sent someone down the road with it happy and likely sitting in a closet somewhere or went to an estate auction. There are plenty of days in our lives we just can't get back. I felt good nonetheless and knowing the guy might not hit the broad side of a barn at 50yds with it....but it was something he was looking forward to doing. I wish he left me in his will and he might very well still be alive. If I had that 742 Woodsmaster today, that would be my very first reason to buy an actual gun cabinet and put in the living room to display. They don't make them like that anymore.
I won't even attempt to tell you what to do with yours. If you have any kids in the family, at least pass it down. IMO.....depends on it's worth to you. If you've got kids in the family, this would be an excellent item to pass down to the next generation. It should be worth more than what you might think even if the market says otherwise.
If I were you I'd keep it no doubt.

[AZJD1968]

What say I? Buckle your seat belts kids! It's story time.

Any pics?

About four years ago on a decent November day, I went down to the range for my weekly brass fix. My work schedule let me do this in the middle of the week and usually I was the only one on the range at these times when I went. This day I heard a shot before I unlocked and opened the second gate. Old Chevy Silverado parked behind the 100yd end of the bay. I was headed to the 25-50yd end. Unpacked all of my stuff and set up at a bench. Noticed the guy had gone down to check his target, so I set up mine before he came back. 100yds is a nice walk, but a set of binos or a spotting scope is good to have IMO. Anyway, the fellow came back and I asked if the range was hot again since he was at the other end about 60 feet from me. I emptied a few mags, reloaded a few, and while reloading I heard a few more shots from his end and then noticed him looking my direction. Apparently waiting for the all clear signal from me so he could go down range to check his target again! Now......I'm generally a pretty easy going guy, but I'm aware of a lot more when it comes to going to the range in the first place. I figure most folks that are at the range are competent and come prepared. Well.......I guess he was expecting to be the only one there that day. So I clear my pistols and continue loading mags while I gave him the okay to take that walk again. When he got back to his bench I looked over and asked how he was doing and if it was okay for me to continue generating more brass on my end. That's when the can of worms opened and I ended up walking down to his end of the range to listen. He had one single box of Rem 30-06 on the table (20rd box yellow and green). He told me he fired ten shots and never hit his target at 100yds. Guy was over 60 and likely retired. I didn't pay much attention to the rifle at that moment, but I suggested that if he was missing at 100yds had he started out at 25 or 50yds. He said no, and that he just traded some handgun and $100 for this rifle and he planned on going deer hunting this year. He then said that he thought he got screwed on the deal. My wheels are still turning at this point, but my years of experience and willingness to teach others or help out in time of need on the range was activated. I told him you gotta know where you're shooting first and before you simply take it out to 100yds first go. So........I set him up a target at 50yd (mind you only ten rounds left in the ONLY box of ammo he brought). He loaded three in the magazine. At this point I noticed it was a semi-auto. Nice engraved wood stock, open sights on the barrel with a scope mounted. He's now at the bench next to mine and we go a nice target set on the 25yd line. He shot. Hold everything.....low and left I mean like 7 o'clock and barely on paper 15"x15". So we go back to the bench....I take the scope caps off and do the adjustments I figure in my head for windage and elevation. Try that....another shot. High and to the right just a few inches above center. Figuring I over calculated, I run the adjustments back a bit, and third shot low and left but not as bad as the first. At this point the guy says here....why don't you shoot it. At this point I'm well aware that 13 rounds have been spent now and seven left in the box. I seldom if ever shoot someone else' firearm at the range...especially a stranger's. That's just me. Well, I said okay, fine. Maybe we do need to figure out what's going on. So loaded three more in the magazine. I get behind the rifle and shoulder it...look through the scope and immediately new the problem. The cross hairs were off about 10 degrees canted to the left. I immediately told him we were not shooting another round until I fixed the scope. Turns out even the front ring was loose. I always carry tools to the range. Got her all set up and zeroed at 25yds with two shots that I fired leaving five left in the box. The man said that's great and was completely satisfied even though I suggested he fire once more at 100yd to nail it down for good. Well........it is what it is.....and he went on his way with a sighted in scope at 25ydsand five rounds of ammo left on the box......going deer hunting no less. The rifle happened to be a Remington 742 Woodsmaster. To this day I think I could have had one of my own for pennies on the dollar since this fellow was sooooo disappointed with it. I'd hate to think of what might have happened to the rifle had I not been there at the range that day. Obviously it didn't fall into my hands. More than likely it didn't take any deer that year either (just a guess). Thing is........I'm not generally impressed with other peoples firearms......I'm set in my ways and I don't collect. But I'll tell you what......I would seriously like to have that rifle the old guy had at the range that day. I looked it up online after I got home matter of fact. Not many semi auto rifles made with open sights any more. Engraved wood stock and looked very nice. You see....I made a connection with it and I did look for a couple of years afterward for one just like it and couldn't find. For a total of 20-30mins I had a good experience with the Rem 742 Woodmaster. I also sent someone down the road with it happy and likely sitting in a closet somewhere or went to an estate auction. There are plenty of days in our lives we just can't get back. I felt good nonetheless and knowing the guy might not hit the broad side of a barn at 50yds with it....but it was something he was looking forward to doing. I wish he left me in his will and he might very well still be alive. If I had that 742 Woodsmaster today, that would be my very first reason to buy an actual gun cabinet and put in the living room to display. They don't make them like that anymore.
I won't even attempt to tell you what to do with yours. If you have any kids in the family, at least pass it down. IMO.....depends on it's worth to you. If you've got kids in the family, this would be an excellent item to pass down to the next generation. It should be worth more than what you might think even if the market says otherwise.
If I were you I'd keep it no doubt.

I love stories like that. Awesome, and thanks for sharing.

Even without the story, I agree to keep the .06

[SFury]

I'd sell it. My Father had one years ago. It shot fine, but they are a low round gun. If you ever plan on doing a lot of shooting, get rid of it. The action will eventually seize up and you will have a large paper weight. We learned that as my Father's 740 was beginning to have feed issues. He never really fired the gun all that much, but he did use it for deer hunting for just over twenty years.

The 740s and the 742s were not designed quite right. It's why Remington has not produced them, nor any parts, for them for years now.

Don't get me wrong, they shoot well, and if properly maintained look very nice. They just have a limited number of rounds that can be put through them compared to most rifles even from the same era.

[Adameeski]

What say I? Buckle your seat belts kids! It's story time.

Any pics?

About four years ago on a decent November day, I went down to the range for my weekly brass fix. My work schedule let me do this in the middle of the week and usually I was the only one on the range at these times when I went. This day I heard a shot before I unlocked and opened the second gate. Old Chevy Silverado parked behind the 100yd end of the bay. I was headed to the 25-50yd end. Unpacked all of my stuff and set up at a bench. Noticed the guy had gone down to check his target, so I set up mine before he came back. 100yds is a nice walk, but a set of binos or a spotting scope is good to have IMO. Anyway, the fellow came back and I asked if the range was hot again since he was at the other end about 60 feet from me. I emptied a few mags, reloaded a few, and while reloading I heard a few more shots from his end and then noticed him looking my direction. Apparently waiting for the all clear signal from me so he could go down range to check his target again! Now......I'm generally a pretty easy going guy, but I'm aware of a lot more when it comes to going to the range in the first place. I figure most folks that are at the range are competent and come prepared. Well.......I guess he was expecting to be the only one there that day. So I clear my pistols and continue loading mags while I gave him the okay to take that walk again. When he got back to his bench I looked over and asked how he was doing and if it was okay for me to continue generating more brass on my end. That's when the can of worms opened and I ended up walking down to his end of the range to listen. He had one single box of Rem 30-06 on the table (20rd box yellow and green). He told me he fired ten shots and never hit his target at 100yds. Guy was over 60 and likely retired. I didn't pay much attention to the rifle at that moment, but I suggested that if he was missing at 100yds had he started out at 25 or 50yds. He said no, and that he just traded some handgun and $100 for this rifle and he planned on going deer hunting this year. He then said that he thought he got screwed on the deal. My wheels are still turning at this point, but my years of experience and willingness to teach others or help out in time of need on the range was activated. I told him you gotta know where you're shooting first and before you simply take it out to 100yds first go. So........I set him up a target at 50yd (mind you only ten rounds left in the ONLY box of ammo he brought). He loaded three in the magazine. At this point I noticed it was a semi-auto. Nice engraved wood stock, open sights on the barrel with a scope mounted. He's now at the bench next to mine and we go a nice target set on the 25yd line. He shot. Hold everything.....low and left I mean like 7 o'clock and barely on paper 15"x15". So we go back to the bench....I take the scope caps off and do the adjustments I figure in my head for windage and elevation. Try that....another shot. High and to the right just a few inches above center. Figuring I over calculated, I run the adjustments back a bit, and third shot low and left but not as bad as the first. At this point the guy says here....why don't you shoot it. At this point I'm well aware that 13 rounds have been spent now and seven left in the box. I seldom if ever shoot someone else' firearm at the range...especially a stranger's. That's just me. Well, I said okay, fine. Maybe we do need to figure out what's going on. So loaded three more in the magazine. I get behind the rifle and shoulder it...look through the scope and immediately new the problem. The cross hairs were off about 10 degrees canted to the left. I immediately told him we were not shooting another round until I fixed the scope. Turns out even the front ring was loose. I always carry tools to the range. Got her all set up and zeroed at 25yds with two shots that I fired leaving five left in the box. The man said that's great and was completely satisfied even though I suggested he fire once more at 100yd to nail it down for good. Well........it is what it is.....and he went on his way with a sighted in scope at 25ydsand five rounds of ammo left on the box......going deer hunting no less. The rifle happened to be a Remington 742 Woodsmaster. To this day I think I could have had one of my own for pennies on the dollar since this fellow was sooooo disappointed with it. I'd hate to think of what might have happened to the rifle had I not been there at the range that day. Obviously it didn't fall into my hands. More than likely it didn't take any deer that year either (just a guess). Thing is........I'm not generally impressed with other peoples firearms......I'm set in my ways and I don't collect. But I'll tell you what......I would seriously like to have that rifle the old guy had at the range that day. I looked it up online after I got home matter of fact. Not many semi auto rifles made with open sights any more. Engraved wood stock and looked very nice. You see....I made a connection with it and I did look for a couple of years afterward for one just like it and couldn't find. For a total of 20-30mins I had a good experience with the Rem 742 Woodmaster. I also sent someone down the road with it happy and likely sitting in a closet somewhere or went to an estate auction. There are plenty of days in our lives we just can't get back. I felt good nonetheless and knowing the guy might not hit the broad side of a barn at 50yds with it....but it was something he was looking forward to doing. I wish he left me in his will and he might very well still be alive. If I had that 742 Woodsmaster today, that would be my very first reason to buy an actual gun cabinet and put in the living room to display. They don't make them like that anymore.
I won't even attempt to tell you what to do with yours. If you have any kids in the family, at least pass it down. IMO.....depends on it's worth to you. If you've got kids in the family, this would be an excellent item to pass down to the next generation. It should be worth more than what you might think even if the market says otherwise.
If I were you I'd keep it no doubt.

Great story and very well written. You convinced me to keep it and I don't even own one!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[IAm_Not_Lost]

The one thing I have learned in the relatively short time I've been shooting and acquiring firearms is that you always regret selling a quality gun. If the gun is junk then by all means ditch it, but if it's a great gun that your just getting tired of...keep it! You'll come back around to it.

[Ram Rod]

True story. Written the way I remember best. That rifle would stick with me if I had it...the only reason I don't have it is cause I was a good guy and honest. Some things are priceless and some things can't be bought for any price. History holds good and bad days for all of us. The future is uncertain and not dependable...the past is what we have to learn from aablend we can learn from it or forget it. The past is way more valuable than the future can be intimidating.

[bmcgilvray]

The AR 15 .223 would be long gone before I'd divest myself of a .30-06. The .223 is not as versatile as I see it but rather only a middling varmint cartridge.