My Remington 7400 in 35 Whelen

[oscar1975]

A while ago I purchased this rifle at a good price. I have mounted a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 × 24 scope on it. I know they don't have a good reputation. What does jam-o-matic mean? They call them that.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have a Model 742, which is similar. Someone can probably provide you with a better answer, but the gist of it is the slide rails are not built very robust. Over time - and not a lot of it - and due to the violence of the recoil they become damaged and cause feeding issues. Once that happens options to fix them become very, very limited.

Some advice I have read about is too keep your loads mild, keep them clean, and not shoot them all that often, once you find a load that works.

I was fortunate with mine. I bought it sight unseen without knowing about the rail issue. Mine had apparently not been shot much - the rails are in good shape. However I have not yet found my magic load - groups are not what I would like. Mine is a 742 in .280 if anyone has suggestions.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I used to call the 740/7400 the NY deer gun (as ironically they're legal there, but not here.) 'Have extensive history using the 760/7600 for heavy cover/woods and even fields <300 yds shots in 3006 (both the std and my favorite the 18.5" carbine model which is hard to find.) Here's one I fixed up for my son last year (orig purchased from Ridgewalker TYVM!) as I finally had to say "No" to him (upon his request for mine.) LOL It worked out in his favor and he got a bear on 1 of 2 weekends he was available to hunt! Regarding accuracy, I do handload, but installing the trigger (spring, same as Rem 870) kit improved group size. These guns shoot nice groups, and very consistent-i shot a 10-shot group once under 1.5". They like heavy bullets 190-200 gr, which is perfect for combined deer/bear seasons, but would also be perfect for on-edge game in Africa! Std. COAL is required due to mag box length limitations, also FL sizing cartridges is a must with pump/autos. (I know of a guy that runs factory ammo through a FL sizing die as there may be inconsistencies-to ensure proper feeding. That said, make shot 1 count and no worries. If shooting moving game, you'll need those follow-ups! There are some fantastic old videos of the fam up in ME that swore by 'em (and I can see why!)

 

[Rob404]

A friend of mine owns one a told me the reason his never jammed was because the always made sure he kept it oiled

 

[C.W. Richter]

A friend of mine owns one a told me the reason his never jammed was because the always made sure he kept it oiled

i am reminded to say i was hunting w/ a friend in USNY once when it was -6F and snowy...as the mag wells are rather open, the action is pretty much out in the breeze...the firing pin froze and I got it loose after 3 shots/ejects...after that, I was directed to properly cleaning/lubing the action/bolt w/ graphite and no issues since. That is, solvent clean and dry the action then dry lube (they make spray graphite). I've had autos jam for the very same reason. clean/dry lube!

 

[oscar1975]

Hello, thank you very much for your answers, I have read that with the model 7400 they solved the wear and unusability of the action rails, which happened to the model 742. I also read that the chamber should never be oiled, and always very clean and dry, otherwise rust will be created and the pods will remain stuck to it and it will not be able to expel it properly. I know that there is a specific cleaning tool to clean the chamber of these rifles, but they did not provide me with it.

 

[Duke1966]

I received my 7400 Carbine in 30-06 as a gift in 1990. It was the only rifle I hunted with for over 30 years. I carried it between 20-30 days every deer season in the northeast. It has seen a lot of rainy, snowy days and probably didn't always get taken care of the way it should have been. It operated flawlessly until a couple years ago and it did finally jam on me. I took it to a local gun shop and he disassembled it and gave it a deep cleaning and it seems to operating great again. I almost always used 180 grain Core-Lokts (I just realized I own the gun and shoot the bullets most here seem to hate the most....huh) and occasionally 165s. It never shot great, probably 2-3 inch groups at 100 yards but that was never enough to make a difference in a hunting situation.

 

[HankBuck]

A while ago I purchased this rifle at a good price. I have mounted a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 × 24 scope on it. I know they don't have a good reputation. What does jam-o-matic mean? They call them that.View attachment 588246

Oscar1975: I could tell you the meaning of “Jam-O-Matic” but it would ruin the surprise for you !! Here’s a hint - it refers to the type of action your rifle is “suppose” to operate by (semi AUTOMATIC) and inserts a frequent failure that you can count on happening (JAMS—-a lot). But, you might be lucky and have one that functions fine….and you also “might” win PowerBall lottery

 

[oscar1975]

Oscar1975: I could tell you the meaning of “Jam-O-Matic” but it would ruin the surprise for you !! Here’s a hint - it refers to the type of action your rifle is “suppose” to operate by (semi AUTOMATIC) and inserts a frequent failure that you can count on happening (JAMS—-a lot). But, you might be lucky and have one that functions fine….and you also “might” win PowerBall lottery

I hope mine works well.

 

[Duke1966]

Oscar1975: I could tell you the meaning of “Jam-O-Matic” but it would ruin the surprise for you !! Here’s a hint - it refers to the type of action your rifle is “suppose” to operate by (semi AUTOMATIC) and inserts a frequent failure that you can count on happening (JAMS—-a lot). But, you might be lucky and have one that functions fine….and you also “might” win PowerBall lottery

I hunted with several guys for many years that all carried 7400s or 742s and I didn't see "frequent" failures or "jams" and I still haven't won the lottery.

 

[HankBuck]

I hunted with several guys for many years that all carried 7400s or 742s and I didn't see "frequent" failures or "jams" and I still haven't won the lottery.

DUKE, the fact that you even “saw” 7400’s function without “Jamming” proves you are LUCKY !! Now, I must admitt - I have zero personal experience with them and only “heard” bad things so You are a better source of information. However, I have extensive experience with their “pump” relative - 760’s and 7600s and those have Never jammed on Me or any of my other 3 friends that have used them since the 1980s. Regardless of the weather, snow or below freezing temps - those pumps work….and I never do more then “over oil” them and run the occasional rod down the bore.

 

[gbflyer]

There was a gunsmith converting the 74- semi to the Amish machine gun 76- pump. I guess it’s not a big deal to do. Lots and lots of 76- 35 Whelen pumps that are very well though of here in Alaska.

 

[oscar1975]

There was a gunsmith converting the 74- semi to the Amish machine gun 76- pump. I guess it’s not a big deal to do. Lots and lots of 76- 35 Whelen pumps that are very well though of here in Alaska.

In Spain, any substantial modification of a weapon entails authorizations, inspections and markings. It is not worth it because everything means, in addition to inconvenience and time, money in fees.