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New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:14 pm
by Scorpion8
I'll admit that I've been a fan of the Remington lineup since the early 70's and as a kid I one dreamt of day when I'd own all of them. Fast forward thru 2 wives, 5 kids, 5 cars, many residences and life that just happens. Anyway, I finally laid my hands on a nice 740 Woodsmaster, in classic .30-06. Did I need it? Nope, this was purely a "want" purchase as will the 76x that is next one the list.

Won't be here for a few days, needs a good refinish of the wood (or not, I likes me some "character") and a test firing. Perhaps a spare mag or two.

So those with experience, tell me what I need to know. Flaws, stuff to replace right away, idiosyncracies, etc....

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:31 pm
by mauser9
Wish I could offer more Scorpion pertaining to the action and functioning of the rifle. Was it similar to the design of the 742? I have a copy of Eugene Myszkowski's book on the Remington pumps and auto loaders. I can tell you about 82% were chambered in 30-06, 11% in .308, and 5% in .280, with a small amount in .244 Rem. He gives a total of 252,275 Model 740 produced. Serial nos. started at 1001 and ended with 253821. Check for a schematic on-line of the action as the books is too tiny to read. Hopefully won't cause some headaches with feeding or extraction like the 742. My Model Four has been dependable so far but the action is far different as you know. Good luck with it!!

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Mon Jan 20, 2020 4:28 pm
by Scorpion8
The 742 is the newer model of the 740, and then I think they went to 7400 or somesuch. I don't know what "improvements" were made, or flaws fixed, but I know there were truckloads of these in the PA woods when I was growing up there. Looking on Remington's parts site, 90% of all 742 parts fit a 740 also so am confident that whatever flaws it has, I can fix.

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 11:00 am
by mauser9
Let us know when you get it. Probably had those bolt guide rails in the receiver the bolt makes contact with. Complaints often from wear on the rails from the bolt on the 742. Believe the newer 7400-Four series had a guide rod on the bolt to stop wear on the rails. Best of luck with your 740. Sleek awesome looking rifles.

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 2:23 pm
by Scorpion8
Rifle showed up last night at the FFL with a crushed box and a broken wrist on the stock. I haven't picked it up yet, but there was no mention of a crack in the wrist in the sale ad and I've seen better packing jobs done by the blind. I was going to refinish the stock, but now I may just replace it with a synthetic one for wet woods use in my area.

Never done a USPS damage claim before, anybody got any good info on how those work?

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 2:24 pm
by Scorpion8
mauser9 wrote:I have a copy of Eugene Myszkowski's book on the Remington pumps and auto loaders.


I'm hunting for a copy of that!

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 4:40 pm
by Scorpion8
It's going back to the seller.

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 9:40 pm
by 1eyedshooter
I have had 740s-742s an I am using a 7400 to hunt with now, never had a problem but you have to keep them clean and they will never let you down !!!!

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:30 pm
by Scorpion8
1eyedshooter wrote:...never had a problem but you have to keep them clean and they will never let you down !!!!


Thanks, I wanted this one (obviously) but I don't need another project right now. I'll keep hunting for one, maybe in .308.

Re: New to Me Woodsmaster 740

PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:12 am
by mauser9
Scorpion8 wrote:
mauser9 wrote:I have a copy of Eugene Myszkowski's book on the Remington pumps and auto loaders.


I'm hunting for a copy of that!

Until you locate one if possible let me know if you have questions. Will keep mine handy. Wish I had snagged a Model Six pump as well way back. According to the book only 36,000 made from 81-87.