Remington Model 742
Remington Arms · Rifle · Discontinued · 1960
Also known as: Remington 742 Woodsmaster, 742 Woodsmaster
Overview
The Remington Model 742 Woodsmaster is a gas-operated, semi-automatic hunting rifle produced from 1960 to 1980. Replacing the earlier recoil-operated Model 740, it fed from a detachable four-round box magazine and was chambered in popular North American big-game cartridges including .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, .280 Remington, .270 Winchester, .243 Winchester and 6mm Remington. Its gas system and rotating multi-lug bolt softened felt recoil, making it a popular deer rifle, though the design later gained a reputation for receiver-rail wear with heavy use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1067 mm (42.01") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 880 m/s (2887 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 4515 J (3330 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Gas Operated Action, Rotating Bolt, Detachable Box Magazine, Iron Sights, Drilled And Tapped Receiver
Variants
- Remington Model 742 Carbine — Carbine
- Remington Model 742 BDL — Deluxe
Service history
Operators
- Civilian hunters · adopted 1960
Production
Production years: 1960-1980
Marketed primarily as a civilian sporting/hunting rifle; succeeded by the Model 7400.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Wayne Leek
Discontinued: 1980
Notes
A shorter Carbine (C) model was offered with an 18-inch barrel. The 742 was superseded by the Model 7400 in 1981.
Background
The Woodsmaster name had long been used by Remington for its sporting autoloaders; the gas-operated 742 modernized the line and remained one of the most common semi-automatic deer rifles in the United States through the 1960s and 1970s.