Any Remington Woodmaster 742 stories?

[campergeek]

I've just started browsing this forum, and wish everyone a hearty greeting on the occasion of my first post.

As a note of introduction, I have been an NRA member (currently EPL) for over a decade. About that long ago I was a certified rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader rifle trainer, teaching the skills at scout camp. Fair trade, since I myself first learned to shoot at about 8 years old with my dad's bolt-action .22 (Stevens, if I remember correctly). Despite this, I have never owned a firearm of my own until now. Another confession: Despite my support of the NRA I've never been much of a "gun nut" in terms of keeping mental track of gun models, calibers, loads, velocities, etc. Reading this forum I find myself getting lost in the acronyms, and often the more technically detailed articles in American Rifleman give me a headache (I have a bachelor's in computer science and an MBA, but didn't do well in high school physics).

Recently, my father-in-law passed away after an 8-month bout with liver cancer. Before he passed, he told me that once he "couldn't talk anymore" I could have his arms. Now that he has moved on to eternity, I am the owner of 5 second hand rifles and 1 12-ga Wingmaster 870.

After all this lead-up, the real meat of the matter:

One of the rifles is a scoped Remingon woodmaster 742 .30-06. Not knowing a lot about this rifle I've done a little research and found little - mainly that the model was discontinued in 1980 and some other bare facts. Considering the audience here, I'm hoping that people will share their own stories of this rifle (I haven't even pulled the trigger yet). In your own experience, is this a real jam machine? Or is it a dream to own and shoot? Have you made any miraculously long shots with this rifle, or do you have trouble getting reliable groups at 100 yds? Any factual specs on the rifle are appreciated, but I'm most interested in personal stories.

Thanks,
CG

 

[r_p_bayly]

I have one, just like you describe, 30-06, mod 742, OLD Baush & Lomb scope (prett good one - before they went downhill to "Bushnell").
It groups 6" for me, 2" for my son, on the bench ?? go figger.
It IS a jammomatic - IF you don't keep it clean. Don't even shoot one group of 3 thru it, and then put it up without stripping down and cleaning - all the way to that little BB in the gas port- THAT IS ESSENTIAL.
Keep it spotlessly clean inside- it MAY be a great shooter for you.

 

[Badger Arms]

WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!! I will never buy another one and I suggest nobody else does if they ever have the chance. Bought one at a gun show for about $150. The guy said he couldn't get the action open. Sure enough, neither could I. Took it home and fiddled with it. Turns out that the bolt lugs had galled and had burrs on them that were preventing the bolt from moving. A little work with a hammer and brass punch broke it loose. I disassembled the gun, deburred the locking lugs, cleaned it, reassembled it (which is a chore in and of itself), test fired it, and sold it for $225. I didn't note any feeding problems, but I only put 10 rounds through the thing plus about 20 runs through with dummy rounds. I have heard about feeding problems though.

That being said, they are generally accurate and reliable if you keep them clean and don't abuse them much. As far as I know, Remington does not support them. They discontinued the gun because of reliability issues as many others will likely note. The replacement gun, the 7400, seems to operate alright. They completely redesigned the locking lugs. If you want a good autoloading large caliber for cheap, get one of them Russian Saiga's in .308.

 

[critter]

Been there-done that.

They are not known for accuracy with the gas mechanism and forearm slung under the barrel.

They are not known for reliabiltiy unless the chamber is SMOOTH and kept CLEAN-clean-clean!

They are not known for hard use guns. The bolt will soon start to 'chatter' in its raceways and function and lockup will soon suffer-if it makes it that far.

Sold my 18" one because of that. I have kept one that was inherited from a treasured relative-as a keepsake. It shoots ok now-but I won't shoot it any more.

As has been said, no parts support-many 'smiths won't touch one.

Sorry, but you need a 'real' gun.

 

[Art Eatman]

I bought a 742K in '06 some 15-ish years ago. Stuck a Weaver K4 (fixed four power) scope on it.

Easily got 1.5- to 2-inch groups at 100 yards, from my benchrest. Never have had any malfunctions, although I don't shoot it regularly. SFAIK, for a hunter who just sights in and does a half-a-box worth of practice and then goes off to hunt, the 742 oughta do just fine.

Badger Arms' problem sounds like a previous owner didn't understand about putting some oil on moving parts...I wouldn't wanna buy a used car from the guy, either.

Art

 

[ftw46]

My stepson gave me one he took in on a two gun trade. It was in 30-06. It jammed a few times until I bought a new magazine and now I can put 100 rounds thru it without a hitch.

I clean it after every extended range trip but not after just a few shots.
As far as accuracy I get 3" groups at 100 yards all day long and this is great for a deer hunting rifle.

Mine was in poor shape when I got it with a patch of rust on the barrell and a badly dinged stock. I all did was disassemble and clean and lube and cleaned up the stock. Other than a new magazine I left every thing stock.

I have heard of the race ways wearing but have not actually seen it.
clean it, shoot it and enjoy it.
Anybody have a jamomatic they don't want I will take it off your hands.

 

[aerod1]

I have a 742 in 308, my brother has one in 30-06, a friend has one in 6mm. We have had no problems. True you need to keep them clean but you should keep all guns clean. Accuracy out of mine is 3 inches at 100 yards. It isn't as accurate as my bolt guns or my M1A but I really didn't expect that kind of accuracy. It does work well as a deer rifle.

Jim Hall

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Well, I have a 742 story for you. Friend of mind mounted an 8-32X44mm tar/sil scope on his and played around with it on some long shots. (30-06) He dropped a spike @ 550 yds. with one shot through the heart. He had some "professional" help from a bystander as he was making the shot.

Generally, however, the 742 doesn't sport much of a reputation. I certainly wouldn't buy one.

 

[W.Va.Glassman]

NOTE: IT'S A FREE GUN ! Enjoy it,keep it clean,you will need a chamber brush plus learn to keep the bleed ball clean. Also load only 3 shells in mag.Have fun.