It has been a long time since I last fired a Woodmaster, but I remember saying then — and I repeat now — that if ever there was a rifle built to sidestep the stupid “assault rifle” hysteria, then this would be it, in the very manly .30-06 Springfield chambering:
And there’s even one costing a little less, that doesn’t include a scope. Best of all is that these two rifles were made back when Remington still cared about quality.
Here’s the thing. All gunny goodness involves compromise — sometimes lots of compromises — and in this case, the major compromise is, of course, that teeny 5-round magazine. That’s more than adequate for hunting, but in a more, shall we say antisocial environment, not so much.
I would suggest that five rounds of .30-06 should pretty much end any dispute, but then again I’m of the “make every shot count” school and not in the “spray and pray” camp.
And, of course, this little honey would serve just as well as a hunting rifle — something you can’t necessarily say about the latest plastic fantastic Mattel offering — so there’s that. Also, the listed Collectors price of $700 isn’t too horrible, either.
And the 742 has exquisite, flowing lines which allow for a proper fondling and stroking, compared to the Mattel’s sharp corners and unfeeling plastic.
Needless to say, I’m just an old-fashioned gun lover who prefers the old over the new, and wood & blued steel over plastic & anodized. So sneer at me if you will, but that’s my position and I’m unlikely to change it.
I think that model is called a Woodmaster.
I think that model is called a Woodmaster.
And they never had a good reputation for reliability or accuracy .
Google reviews of Remington 742 woodmaster.
They are pretty though. Very sleek and trim. Wood furniture is always best.
Some nostalgia here as I had one of those beauties long about 1979, but had to let it go in the big divorce. Mine had a very shiny stock and impressed checkering, so not quite as fondleable as Kim would like, but it was still functional and the .30-06 was very impressive. The start of my .30 preference that’s lasted these 40 years. Every once in a while I run across half a box of .30-06 in the ammo locker, the only keepsake of that gun.
I thought about getting one, but I’ve had friends who had them (and the 7400) and had nothing but trouble, including busted extractors and bolt lugs breaking off.
You’d be much better off with the (“civilian” version of) a Browning BAR…they’re up to the Mk III now, and they make some really pretty ones.
Definitely a nice looking rifle that is the epitome of the 1950s and 1960s deer camp. I’ve heard that reliability is an issue with them as well.
BTW a K31 followed me home last week for five and a half benjimans. Now to find food for it.
JQ
I have that very gun. It shoots extremely well. One magazine is worn out and won’t feed but the other works. You can also get 10 round magazines.
It’s issue, from that I can gather, is it’s a stone cold M-Fer to clean. Something I need to do with mine. There’s a really funky two rail gas system under that forestock.
I bought it from a friend not long after moving here to DFW. But having no places to hunt (I couldn’t afford a lease) it sat in my gun cabinet for over a decade. I’ve been shooting more pistoles, shotguns, and .22. Finally shot it a few weeks ago and was pleased how well it shoots. Not a good ‘assault’ rifle, to be honest. The barrel isn’t really made for that rate of fire.
That said, I’m looking to trade it in. I’ve been meaning to go to Kim’s merchant-o-death in Plano. Last time I was up there ‘browsing’ I wound up with a new bolt action. If memory serves, they had one on the used rack last time I was there.
Wow. I just clicked on that link. No idea that was the price.
I didn’t pay anywhere near that and would be happy with far less. It’s a cabinet queen to me.
This has been my hunting rifle for most of my life. I put a 10 round mag on it so the original and spare mag didn’t make so much rattle noise. It made for a great hand and carry support and I called it a BAR..
I had a 742 back in the day. They have problems. Mine basically disintegrated at the range. Was told by the gunsmith that it was common as the action just wasn’t very strong especially for the very lengthy .30-06 cartridge. Hard pass.
For something similar but better go for a Rem 7400 in .308. Stronger built; cartridge of more reasonable length.
Wandering a bit into the weeds, a shootin’ buddy of mine and I, back in what used to be California, both had a proclivity (as in gluttons for punishment) for the more obscure guns of past generations. One day at a gun show he came across a Remington 141 Gamemaster (predecessor to the Model760) in caliber 30 Remington. He was lamenting that he would have get a set of reloading dies in that caliber. I was happy to inform him that it is just a rimless 30-30, and all he likely needed was a #19 RCBS shell holder to go with dies he already had.
An interesting feature of the 141 is the spiral tube magazine, which allow the safe loading pointy bullet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-fRywpvi70
In that light and vein, allow me to suggest the next GGP – the Winchester Model 100.
I have one in .308 sitting in the safe, alongside its brethren 88 levers (in .308 and .243).
This post reminds me it has actually indeed been far too long since I have let any of them stretch their legs.
Perhaps a range day is in order next weekend. Tomorrow is already full, and then there’s this pesky thing called “work.”