Woodsmaster Value?

[Dr. Sandman]

I was hoping somebody may be able to give me a value for a Remington Woodsmaster 740, 30-06, Iron sights, drilled and tapped. Serial number is 1972xx. If possible fair, good, and excellent condition. Thanks in advance.

 

[bainter1212]

Remingtons are dated not by the serial number, but by a 2 digit code stamped into the barrel.

That being said, you might check Gunbroker for values. You can do an advanced search to see what others have sold theirs for.
You won't cover a car payment though, with one of these. They have a limited life of around 1-2000 rds and are not generally considered accurate. A used one I would expect to go for $250 or so. A real beat up one even less. Like I said, an engineering flaw in the design means that the receiver rails get peened by the bolt lugs over time until one day it dies. No fix for this.

 

[jmr40]

www.remingtonsociety.com has links that will help you determine when it was made by using the date code. The SN can be used, but you'll have to call Remington.

Locally, they are hard to sell at all, $200-$250 if you can find someone who wants it.

 

[entropy]

It depends on whether the rails and or lugs are munched, as many of them are. If so, they are worth the parts only, unless you like putting up with a malfunctioning rifle. If they are in good shape, $250-500 is the range I've seen them go for in the local shops.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Locally, they are hard to sell at all, $200-$250 if you can find someone who wants it.

Yeah, that's pretty much the going rate here as well(and the going is slow).

 

[HB]

$300 is top dollar in these parts but they still make good deer guns if they are reliable. I'd keep it around as a loaner or gift it to a new hunter unless you need the money.

I've sold guns for way too cheap to non/new hunters that are friends. Cheap and easy way to get a hunting buddy for life to split gas

HB

 

[SwaneeSR]

I own a Remington 742, purchased it used right out of school in 1989 for $200. It works fine, I am not sure how many rounds have passed through it.

The problem you describe must be the "jammomatic" problem I have heard others talk about in past years.

After reading this thread I went to gunbroker and confirmed the low values put on these rifles. I guess eventually these rifles all become "wall hangers" once they can no longer be trusted.

As for my rifle, I have taken a lot of deer with it. My son has now taken two in recent years, including a buck that is mounted in his room. We have several .30-06's to choose from, it will be a shame when this one is retired.

SwaneeSR

 

[tark]

Your 740 was Remington's first attempt at a more modern autoloader, in a more powerful cartridge, to replace the model 81. here is the date code, which should be stamped near the wood on the left side of the barrel.

B- January
L February
A March
C April
K May
P June
O July
W August
D September
E October
R November
X December

Some of the year codes had two letters and I'm not completely sure when 740 production started, but I'll give you the year codes from the end of Mod 81 production.

WW 1950
XX 1951
YY 1952
ZZ 1953
A 1954
B 1955
C 1956
D 1957
E 1958
F 1959
G 1960
H 1961
J 1962 ( "I" was skipped for some reason. )
K 1963
L 1964
M 1965
N 1966
P 1967
R 1968 ( Another skipped letter )

I'm not sure when 740 production ended, but i'm sure it was before 1968. Hope this will at least help you date the rifle.