Six generations of Remington semiautos have passed through hunters' hands, with the latest iteration the Model 7400. It replaced the 742 Woodsmaster, which if you're old enough, you might recall seeing in the brick-thick Sears "wish book" in the early 1960s. |
By Stan Trzoniec
In the not-too-distant past, showing up at a deer camp with a semiautomatic hunting rifle was an invitation to sarcasm.
"How many times do you need to shoot a deer?" or "What happened to your other hunting gun?" you were likely to be asked.
Thirty years ago, anyone serious about whitetail hunting carried a bolt-action Browning, Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Weatherby or Savage. Pumps and lever guns were acceptable, especially in the thick woods, but never "jam-o-matics."
Considering how much bad word of mouth the semiauto hunting rifle has gotten over the years - with "unreliable" and "inaccurate" two of the adjectives normally used - it's a wonder that these guns are widely used today.
Don't believe the bad press. Modern autoloaders made by Browning, Benelli, Remington and others are more than accurate and reliable enough for deer hunting. Most will place three shots within a 1 1/2- or 2-inch circle at 100 yards, which is plenty accurate for tagging a whitetail.
Semiautos offer one advantage that the other rifle types don't: reduced recoil.
These days, the largest percentage of hunters are in their 40s and 50s. Although they like to shoot the newer cartridges, age dictates a little more cushion on the shoulder. The autoloader is a good choice for any recoil-sensitive shooter, and most hunters can shoot these guns well.
I recently compared the recoil of the new .270 WSM in a mountain-type rifle and the gas-operated Browning Shorttrac. Not only was the Browning more pleasant to shoot; it was even more accurate than the bolt gun! I've never had an accuracy problem with any of the semiautomatics I've hunted with. All could be counted on to deliver the goods without fail.
A friend has hunted with a Browning BAR almost exclusively. Using Federal Premium ammunition, he takes enough antelope and mule deer each year to make any bolt-action fan envious. So if you are looking for an excuse NOT to buy a semiautomatic rifle, don't count on mediocre accuracy to sway your judgment.
Some hunters think semiautos are only available in limited calibers like the .243 or .270. Granted, the Benelli R1 was only chambered in .30-06 and .300 Win Mag at first. However, the Browning Classic BAR and Shorttrac BAR models go the distance in cartridge choices, from the .243 Win to the .338 Win, including most of the newer short-magnum offerings.
And for those wondering about the strength of these guns, consider that years ago, experimenters chambered and field-tested the BAR in African calibers like the .458 Lott. Remington used to make a semiauto in .280 Rem, but now offers its Model 7400 in .243 Win up to .30-06.
Reliability shouldn't be an issue unless you don't take care of your gun. I recall using a small-case die set to shrink the brass to allow smoother feeding into the breech as the gun cycled. While I did use them years ago, today I only full-length-size each case for use in my semiautomatic rifles.
The traditional Browning BAR (top) and the Trac models have the same trusted action, and both are very accurate. |
I make sure to use the same brand and the same case for the same rifle, and have never had any problems with extraction or ejection. I make doubly sure that the brass is clean and relatively new, and I stay away from maximum-pressure loadings that can cause the brass to expand too much within the walls of the breech, leading to functioning problems.
Maintenance is part of owning any semiauto gun, and while most of us are comfortable with cleaning a bolt-action rifle, semiautomatics take more time to maintain. Dirt and debris trapped within the receiver isn't difficult to remove. Simply drop the trigger group, flush the inside with a solvent, and put it all back together again. It's nothing major, just a few pins to drop the assembly, and you're in.
The gas cylinder up front is another common concern, but if you keep it clean and don't get carried away with lubricant on the moving parts around the piston or cylinder, it won't fail you.
The blocky appearance of semiautomatics used to turn some folks off, but over the years, manufacturers have given these guns smoother lines. Many of today's semiautos are a combination of both classic and modern designs.
All guns can be customized, and semiautos are no exception. You can change stocks (most manufacturers offer wood upgrades), and both Remington and Browning offer custom services for fitting the gun to your shooting style and personal taste.
Semiauto rifles have a reputation for heavy, creepy triggers. While this is still a problem, they're much better than they used to be. Over the years, I've seen improvements in both the sear let-off and trigger-pull weight in general.
It might surprise you to learn how many semiauto hunting guns are available. I've had Browning BARs for the better part of my life, and when I get enough spending cash, I usually invest it buy purchasing used high-grade rifles of the past. My hunting BAR is chambered in 7mm Rem Mag and shoots as well as a bolt gun. Finding the ammo it liked required no more effort than working up field loads with other guns.
Several years ago, Browning introduced the Shorttrac and Longtrac BARS. The "Tracs" don't replace the classic BAR, but compliments the line with some interesting design features, including a rakish European-style stock. The Shortrac BAR I tested, chambered in .270 WSM, was both very accurate and easy on the shoulder. The rifle was also easy to tote in the woods.
With roots that date back to the Model 8 introduced in 1906, the Remington Model 7400 was the first successful high-power autoloader produced in this country. And even though Remington had to pay a royalty for each gun to its inventor, John Browning, it set the stage for more exciting things to come.
With a little refining, the Model 81 was introduced in 1936, then the Model 740 "Woodsman" in 1955. From there, the gun kept evolving until we now have the Model 7400 in three versions. These include the traditional model, the Model 7400 Synthetic and the Model 7400 Carbine with an 18 1/2- inch barrel.
The Model 7400 is smaller than most semiautos on the market. Its receiver is the same size as its shotgun cousins. Those who opt to use the M7400 without a scope will find it handy to tote around the woods. The iron sights supplied with the gun line up perfectly with my rather full face. I can make one swift move from a relaxed position to looking right down the barrel without the gun catching on a hunting jacket.
The Benelli R1 is a very interesting semiauto hunting gun that was built from the ground up. Initially, it was available in just two calibers. Today, it's offered in .308 Win, .30-06 Sfld, .300 Win Mag, .270 WSM and .300 WSM calibers, as well as in standard and carbine versions.
The R1 appeals to hunters who are looking for the most in versatility. The gun's "system" allows you to switch barrels and use a different scope on each barrel. There's also a recoil pad or stock extension that adds up to 1 inch to the gun's overall length. The inertia operating system only moves about a half-inch to the rear to cycle the gun. This reduces wear and extends the life of the gun. Like others in its group, the R1 I tested was partial to some factory loads, and it was nothing to see nice tight minute-of-angle groups.
Modern semiauto hunting rifles are here to stay. They offer reduced recoil, are plenty accurate and permit quick follow-up shots. Now, that's a gun you shouldn't sell short!
Stan Trzoniec
GunHunter Magazine - December 2005