johnf Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 My father in law is giving me a Remington Woods-master 740 or 742 in 308. It's got some really neat engraving on the sides and checkering on the stock and forearm. I think he said he bought it in the mid 1950's and still has 1/2 of the only box of shells that he ever bought for it. (he's a shotgun man). What's the accuracy/reliability on these guns? Is this something that could be my new go to gun? Right now all I've got is single shots and a 30-30 marlin. Don't really care what it's worth because I'll never sell it. The gun has no visible rust and looks like it's out of the box new. I don't have it yet, so no pics. My wife says he'll probably give it to me at Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Have heard they can be decent shooters John. Pretty sure my wife's grandfather had one chambered in 6 mm and he claimed it was fairly accurate, but not as accurate as any of the bolt guns he'd had. Think there have been a few posts in here about them over the years as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Great guns. I had one in .30-06. That thing shot great. Youre not going to shoot comps with it but it will group plenty well to hunt with. I wouldnt hesitate to take a 200 yard shot with one. They are heavy as all get out but honestly they are a great gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I had one in .280 years ago. Wish I still had it. Accuracy was plenty good for hunting (about 2 inches at 100 yards) and I never had it fail to feed. The only thing I had to watch out for was loading the initial round into the chamber. On mine, I needed to pull the loading handle all the way back, and then let it snap closed. If I tried to ease it shut, it wouldn't close all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyhunter22 Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 my dad has one that he got from his grandfather from way back in a 30-06 and its still working great. he had the stock re-done but it looks exactly like the new remington 750 on there website. ive never seen a bad shot with the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) The Old Woodsmasters shot fairly well but this could be improved with the sling swivel kit from Uncle Mikes which took some pressure off the forend. They are very reliable if you keep them maintained and use Rem Oil and not much of it. You'll have to be careful of the ammo you use. Find a brand that it prefers or it may not function well. I had some problems with different brands and bullet types. Mark Edited November 25, 2008 by m gardner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Country Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I killed my first deer with a 742 in .30-06...they are wonderful rifles and generally the camp favorite in eastern Kentucky. They are very accurate for deer hunting (not in the same class as my Savage M110 7mm Remington Magnum) but plently good out to 200 yards or so... The only problem I have had out of the series (740, 742, 7400 in .308, .30-06, and .270 respectively) has been with handloads, which two of them wanted to jam with... All of them function perfectly with factory loads. One exception: they will not cycle with any of the reduced-recoil loads available from Remington or Federal... Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 One exception: they will not cycle with any of the reduced-recoil loads available from Remington or Federal... Good luck. Wow, great call. That is one thing I hadnt thought about with those old rifles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted December 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Why would you shoot reduced recoil loads in a semi auto? I would think the recoil would be relatively light anyway. Wouldn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 John, I asked about a 742 a few years back and got some great feedback. http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27225 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Country Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 I had the 7400 (.270 Win) at the range with several other rifles including a Savage M116 with about 5 different brands of ammo...I was looking for a highly accurate brand for hunting with the Savage and started experimenting. The Remington autos felt recoil is about half of my bolt actions as you point out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailmanmark Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 742 Woodsmaster Had one passed on to me in the mid 90's from my father. He never shot it. The gun would jam EVERY time. Brought it to Remington being that the factory is 10 miles away. Come to find out the head space was way off. I have to say, Remington did make good on it by providing a new firearm. That one shot fairly well for an autolaoder( <2.0 @ 100yds. with open sights ) Good luck with it. A free gun is always an awesome gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Remington 740 /742 John: I would give you the same advice as any used gun receiver. Have a competant gunsmith check it over. Even though you know the history, the firearm has some age on it. This means perhaps the gas seals could be dry etc. The 740 had a couple problems feeding which were cureable. The 742 had updates to it which addressed this. The 7400 was nearly flawless with good factory ammo. I have reloaded for my 7400 and found the most accurate ammo didn't always eject cleanly. Still, with a compromise, I can shoot Sub-Moa groups consitantly. A good gunsmith can correct any problems and you will love your new gun. Don't blame you for not ever wanting to sell it. I wouldn't either. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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