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Remington 742 in 30-06 Caliber
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Remington Model 742
The
Remington Model 742, also known as the Woodsmaster is a semi-automatic
rifle that was produced by Remington
Arms from 1960 until 1980. It uses a straight
4 round magazine, a 10-round magazine, and a rare 20
round magazine. Features include a side ejection
port and a free-floating barrel.[2]
It uses the same action as the Remington 1100 series
shotguns with both having the venerable 870 series
as the parent gun. In 1981, the Model 742 was
replaced by the Model
7400.
A 742
chambered in 30-06 was used by the sniper in the
Action-Thriller Two-Minute
Warning.
Serial Number
Blocks:
1951-1967 1,000-541,000
1968-1975 6,900,000-7,499,999
1975-1978 A6,900,000-A7,499,999
1978-1981 B6,900,000-B7,499,999
Grades Offered:
742A Standard
742ADL Deluxe
742BDL Deluxe
742CDL Deluxe Carbine
742C Carbine
Variations:
150th Year Anniversary
Canadian Centennial (1967)
Bicentennial 200th United States Anniversary (1976)
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Remington
Model 740, Model 742 and Model 7400 Autoloading Rifles
Introduced in 1955, over 2.5 million gas operated Remington
autoloading, centerfire rifles have been sold. The original 1955
Model 740 and the current Model 7400 are favorites of deer hunters
and carry on a proud tradition of fine autoloading, centerfire
rifles from Remington that began in 1906. The original John
Browning designed autoloader was first called The Remington
Autoloading Rifle and was later renamed in Remington’s 1911
catalog to the now familiar Model 8. Its reliability is legendary
and many early models are still in use today. Over 69,490 Model
8s, in calibers .25 Remington, .30 Remington, .32 Remington and
.35 Remington were made from 1906 to 1936.
A Du Pont executive, Charles Krum Davis, took over as Remington
Arms Company President in 1933. He realized that the venerable
Model 8 autoloading rifle was outdated and expensive to
manufacture. A cosmetic rework, started in 1934, resulted in the
June 1936 introduction of the Model 81. It was now called the
Woodmaster and at least 55,581, in calibers .25 Remington, .30
Remington, .300 Savage, .32 Remington and .35 Remington were made
from 1936 to the end of production in 1950.
Serious work on a completely new autoloading centerfire rifle was
started in 1940 and given the engineering studies designation –
Model 740. The new Model 740 and its sibling – the Model 760
pump-action rifle – followed parallel development paths until the
December 7, 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor when all of
Remington’s domestic projects were put on hold. Development work
resumed in late 1943 and by July 12, 1944 a formal proposal for
development, testing and production was requested. A prototype, in
caliber .30-06, was later demonstrated in 1944. It utilized an
aluminum alloy receiver large enough to accommodate the .300
H&H Magnum.
By 1947 there were two gun design teams working on both the
autoloading and pump action rifles – Remington’s Technical
Division, Ilion, New York working on the Models 740 and 760 and
the Du Pont Engineering Department in Wilmington, Delaware working
on the Models 742 and 762. An inevitable turf war developed and
President Davis resolved the conflict November 11, 1947 by making
Du Pont’s L. Ray Crittendon, who originally managed the design of
the Springfield 1903A3 during World War II and later the Model
11-48 autoloading shotgun, a part of the Remington design team.
His Models 742 autoloading rifle and 762 pump action rifle, based
on the dimensions of the 28 gauge Model 11-48 shotgun receiver,
eventually were selected and subjected to extended function and
endurance tests. He also, in 1951, developed the autoloading rifle
magazine bolt release that had generated some discussion in the
early years. Remington’s safety principle, used since 1906, was to
see the rifle empty and open after the last shot is fired. It is
still in use today.
In the late 1940s, three gas operating systems, tappet as used in
the M1 Carbine, gas expansion as used in the M1 Garand and impulse
reaction, were tested using a caliber .30-06 Model 721 bolt action
rifle. The gas systems did not operate the bolt but instead were
connected to instruments measuring the force generated over time.
The impulse reaction system of gas flowing in a tube that impinges
on a blind hole in the action bar was selected.
The Model 742 engineering studies designation was changed to the
Model 740 Woodmaster on May 22, 1950.
The new Model 740’s
introduction, originally scheduled for the same January
1952 date as the new Model 760 pump-action rifle, was
delayed three years until February 1, 1955. Problems with
the exhaust gas corroding the forearm liner, hard opening
of the bolt and magazine feeding problems contributed to
the delay.
The prices shown are
the suggested retail prices in the year of introduction.
The new Model 740 was introduced to the public in
Remington’s 1955 consumer catalog. The receiver was
drilled and tapped for scope mounts and a receiver sight.
The new rifle had an overall length of 42 ¼ inches, a
barrel of 22 inches, and weighed 7 ½ pounds. It was
offered only in caliber .30-06 and in two grades: A –
standard at $124.95 and ADL – “A Deluxe” at $139.95. The
ADL grade featured a high comb, checkered straight grain
walnut stock with grip cap and sling swivels. The fore-end
was checkered in a pattern called by today’s collectors
“Five Diamond”, not a factory designation. The BDL – “B
Deluxe Special” grade, introduced later that year for an
additional $20.00, was the same as the ADL except the wood
was figured. A few rifles have been observed with the BDL
grade engraved after the model number but this is the
exception. Sales in 1955 surpassed all marketing
expectations and totaled 97,620 rifles of which 74% were A
grade.
The first production Model
740, serial number 1001, “F” grade engraved and inlaid
with gold game scenes by Remington master engraver Carl
Ennis, was presented to President Davis. It is now on
permanent display in the Remington Museum, Ilion, New
York.
May 1956 saw the
introduction of the caliber .308 Winchester. Total sales
that year were 50,143 of which 11,313 were in caliber .308
Winchester. It is interesting to note that in the first
two years the Model 740 production totaled 147,763 rifles
or 22,692 more than the total combined production of the
Models 8 and 81 from 1906 to the end of production in
1950.
The .244 Remington was added
to the list of calibers in 1957. The 1958 changes included
the addition of the .280 Remington caliber and the
discontinuance of the BDL grade. The Model 740 was
discontinued December 31, 1959 with a total production of
252,275 including 35 D & F grade engraved rifles.
Around 1,000 caliber .244 Remington Model 740s remained in
the warehouse and sales, in this caliber, continued
through 1961 to clear the inventory.
The Model 742 began as a Model 740 improvement program in
the spring of 1958. It addressed the cartridge ejection
problem by repositioning the extractor and ejector along
with widening the receiver ejection port. A latch was
fitted to the bolt preventing bolt rotation when unlocked.
The scope of the redesign program was expanded in April
1959 to improve the accuracy of the rifle. A double pitch
screw provides the proper fore-end clearance. Changes were
also made to the operating handle, gas nozzle and magazine
latch. The magazine feed lips were changed to improve
cartridge feeding. This improved magazine has the caliber
designation boxed.
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The new Model 742, in two
grades and three calibers .30-06, .308 Winchester and .280
Remington, was introduced January 6, 1960. The standard A
grade,at $138.50, had a plain uncheckered buttstock and
vertical grooves on the forearm. The $154.45 ADL “Deluxe”
grade featured checkering on the all purpose buttstock and
forearm, grip cap and roll engraved game scenes on both
side panels. A screw attached rear sight, step adjustable
for elevation and screw adjustable for windage and set on
a base was standard for both grades.
The Model 742 carbine, with
a 18 ½ inch barrel and 7 ¼ pound weight, was introduced a
year later in 1961. 742 CARBINE was stamped in large
letters after the caliber designation on the barrel. The
CDL carbine grade was equivalent to the ADL grade rifle.
The prices were the same as the rifles.
The single Standard grade
stock with pressed checkering replaced the A, ADL, C, and
CDL grades in 1964 and cost $149.95. The Model 742 BDL
Deluxe, later called the Custom Deluxe, was introduced in
1966 for $169.95. It featured a stepped receiver, Monte
Carlo buttstock, flat forearm and pressed basketweave
checkering. It was available in a left handed version;
however, cartridge ejection was still right handed.
The Model 742 serial number sequence was changed on
November 26, 1968 as a result of the 1968 Gun Control Act
that required no two guns from the same manufacturer have
the same serial number. The initial Model 742 serial
number sequence began at 1001 and ended at 396562. The new
serial number sequence, now shared with the Model 760
pump-action rifle, began at 6900000.
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The Remington Model 742 was discontinued December 31, 1980 with
the introduction of the Model Four and Model 7400. However, sales
continued well into 1981 to clean out warehouse stock. Only 75
Model 742s were engraved in D and F grades.
The total production of the Model 742 was 1,497,169 of which
113,970 were carbines. A percentage of sales by caliber and years
offered include:
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.30-06 – 75%, 1960-1980
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.308 Winchester – 12%, 1960-1980
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.280 Remington – 5%, 1960-1980
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.243 Winchester – 6%, 1968-1980
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6mm Remington – 2%, 1963-1980
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In 1974 Remington began a major product improvement program to
replace both the autoloader Model 742 and the pump action Model
760. By 1976 development of the “New Generation Rifles,” as the
models were called, was well under way. The new autoloader rifles,
now with model numbers, were introduced in late 1980 as the deluxe
Model Four and the popular-priced Model 7400. Advertising both in
the catalog and the sporting press concentrated on the Model Four,
and it wasn’t until 1983 that the Model 7400 received equal
billing.
The major improvements over the Model 742 were a simpler bolt,
which now had four lugs in place of nineteen, and a single unit
replacing the breech ring and barrel extension. A self centering
conical gas seal between the barrel lug nozzle and the action bar
improved gas sealing and provided more consistent bolt speed.
Smoother operation came from a hardened steel receiver insert
mated to a matching lug on the bolt and heavier action bars. The
magazine was redesigned and the magazine release increased in
size. The scope mount screw size and screw hole spacing were
increased for greater strength, thus Model 742 scope mounts will
not fit. Both the Models Four and 7400 retained the original Model
742 specifications of an overall length of 42 inches, a barrel of
22 inches, and weight of 7 ½ pounds. The Model 7400 cost $399.95
and the Model Four $449.95.
The Remington Model Four
was introduced January 1981 as a replacement for the Model
742 BDL Custom Deluxe. It featured positive cut checkering
on a slimmer pistol grip, full cheekpiece Monte Carlo
buttstock, and a flared forearm. A cartridge head
medallion denoting the caliber was inlaid in the barrel
extension. Serial numbers, shared with the Model Six
pump-action rifle, started at A4000000. It was not offered
in the 1988 catalog as production ended December 31, 1987.
A total of 68,085 rifles, including two engraved rifles,
were produced. Percentage sales by caliber were: .30-06 –
52%, .270 Winchester – 24%, .243 Winchester- 9%, .308
Winchester – 8%, 7 mm Express Remington – 5%, and 6 mm
Remington – 2%.
The following list is of
Remington Model Four shipments, by year:
1981 – 23,480
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1982 – 12,959
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1983 – 9,077
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1984 – 6,964
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1985 – 7,037
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1986 – unknown
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1987 – 3,821
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1988 – 169
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1989 – 1
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Two unique
promotional tie-ins were introduced in the 1982 catalog.
The Bullet Knife R1123 returned to the Remington list of
accessories and a dealer could sell one for each Model
Four or Model Six sold. This has become one of the most
desired of the re-issue of Remington Bullet knives. The
1982 suggested retail price was $45. A Sid Bell designed
pewter grip cap insert for $9.95 was offered in four big
game designs and one blank for engraving.
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The Sportsman 74 rifle, a lower cost version of the Model 7400,
was introduced in mid- 1984 with its own brochure. The Sportsman
series was directed towards the mass merchandisers and included
the 74 autoloading rifle, 76 pump action rifle , 78 bolt action
rifle , 581-S bolt action rimfire rifle, 12 gauge autoloader
shotgun and a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. The Sportsman 74 was
similar in style to the 1950s A grade Model 740 and featured a
plain, uncheckered straight comb, lacquer walnut finish hardwood
stock with the same specifications as the Model 7400. All metal
was matte finish and the bolt action Model 788 style rear sight
was used. The Sportsman 74 was discontinued December 31, 1987,
with a total of 47,881 made in caliber .30-06 and 1,574 in caliber
.280 Remington for the European market.
The popular priced Model 7400, introduced in 1981 along with the
Model Four, remains in production. The main difference from the
Model Four was cosmetic, as the Model 7400 retained the Model
742’s straight comb buttstock and added fine-line press checkering
in a fleur-de-lis pattern. It was offered in calibers .30-06, .308
Winchester, .270 Winchester, 7mm Express Remington/.280 Remington
and 243 Winchester. A carbine model in caliber .30-06 with an
overall length of 38 ½ inches, an 18 ½ inch barrel and weighing
7 ¼ pounds was added in 1988. At the same time the stock finish
was changed to satin with no change in the order number. The .35
Whelen caliber was added to the rifle line in 1993 and lasted
until 1996. The .280 Remington was dropped in 2001.
The first major change in the Model 7400 came in 1991 with an
upgrade in the stocks and checkering. The restyled stocks featured
a Monte Carlo style buttstock and a new pattern of cut checkering.
The wood finish remained satin; however, rifles, in calibers
.30-06 and .270 Winchester, were available with a gloss wood
finish. The overall length of both the rifle and the carbine
increased by 5/8 of an inch to 42 5/8 inches and 39 ½ inches
respectively.
The Model 7400 SP or Special Purpose was introduced in 1993. The
SP rifle featured matte finish metal, low luster wood finish and a
camouflage Cordura sling. It was offered in calibers .30-06 and
.270 Winchester. The SP model was not listed in the 1995 catalog.
Receiver panels of the Model 7400 were embellished with pressure
applied fine-line engraving in 1996. A game scene with a pair of
rams is on the right receiver panel and the left panel scene had
two elk. It was first noted as “new enhanced receiver engraving”
and is still in the line today
A synthetic-stocked Model 7400 was introduced in 1998 and, as of
2009, remains part of the firearms line. The fiberglass-reinforced
buttstock and forearm as well as the metal work have a matte black
non-reflective finish. It is offered both as a rifle and as a
carbine in the same calibers as the wood-stocked models.
Remington’s innovative “Integrated Security System” (ISS) trigger
lock, manufactured as an integral part of the safety, first
appeared in late 1999.
The Model 7400 “Weathermaster” was introduced in 2002. It
featured a black synthetic stock with a matte nickel plated
receiver, barrel, and magazine for protection against inclement
conditions. This item remains in current 2009 inventory.
The 1990s began the era of niche marketing as distributors
special ordered non-cataloged variations.. Black laminated or
brown laminated stocks were offered in some years. Remington also
produced a European market Model 7400 with a special two-shot
magazine.
Several roll-engraved commemorative Model 742s and Model 7400s
have been offered. 11,412 Model 742s with a goldfilled 150th
Anniversary logo on the left side were sold in 1966. 1,968
Canadian Centennial Model 742, in caliber .308 Winchester, were
sold in 1967. A number were offered as cased sets with a similarly
appointed Ruger 10/22.
Remington celebrated the Bicentennial by offering 10,108 Model
742s with a gold-filled 1776 – 1976 logo on the left receiver
panel. Fifteen hundred Limited Edition Model Fours, commemorating
over 75 years of autoloader rifle production, were offered in
1982. Both side panels of the receiver were etched with scrollwork
and the left panel featured a gold plated hunting scene based on a
N. C. Wyeth painting from the Remington Arms Company Collection.
The right panel featured gold plated Model 8 and the Model Four
rifles. Approximately 5,000 of the 175th Anniversary
rifles with an American Eagle and a scroll design roll marked on
the left receiver panel were sold in 1991.
Fewer than thirty five gun sets, consisting of a Model 700bolt
action Model 870 pump shotgun, Model 1100 autoloaded shotgun,
Model 7400 autolader rifle and the Model 7600 rifle, were sold in
1996 to commemorate the 180th Anniversary or Remington.
The Model 7400 left receiver panel had a pair of rams, a bust of
Eliphalet Remington and a 180th Anniversary banner, all gold
embellished. The right receiver panel had two gold embellished
elk. The 1997 catalog offered the Buckmasters Limited Edition
M7400 with special pressure applied fine-line engraving on both
receiver panels and fewer than 800 were sold.
Remington President C.K. Davis (1933 to 1953) , L. Ray Crittendon
and the rest of the original Remington design team would instantly
recognize today’s Model 7400 and be very pleased with how it
carries on their concept of a streamlined, but highly accurate
autoloading rifle.
Model 742 Woodsmaster
Description:
Autoloading, gas operated improvement of Model 740, 4-shot
detachable magazine
Introduction
Year: 1960
Year
Discontinued: 1980
Total
Production: Approximately: 1,433,269
Designer/Inventor:
Research & Development
Action
Type: Semi-automatic gas operated
Caliber/Gauge:
.243 Win, 6mm Remington, .280 Remington, .30-06, .308 Win
Serial Number Blocks:
1951-1967 1,000-541,000
1968-1975 6,900,000-7,499,999
1975-1978 A6,900,000-A7,499,999
1978-1981 B6,900,000-B7,499,999
Grades Offered:
742A Standard
742ADL Deluxe
742BDL Deluxe
742CDL Deluxe Carbine
742C Carbine
Variations:
150th Year Anniversary
Canadian Centennial (1967)
Bicentennial 200th United States Anniversary (1976)
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