quick question i have a remington woodsmaster 308 semi auto rifle it has been hanging up on me alot and not ejecting the shell and the clip is hard to get in and out! i have taken the gun apart and cleaned it really good but still the same! does anybody know what it might be or have had the same prob?

Sometimes it helps to buy a new clip. My 3006 was acting like that too.. well the single shot issue.

Did a little research on the net and came up with this.

The Remington 742 Woodmaster was Remington’s answer to the popular Browning BAR platform. Remington R&D was responsible for the design work, but it is largely based on the BAR action. Remington made it from 1960 until it was discontinued in 1980. Their total production tally amounted to a few more than 1.4 million. The rifle was produced in 5 calibers: .243 Win., 6mm Remington, .280

Remington, .30-06, and .308 Win. Serialiazation of the model years follows:
• 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

The rifle was made in the following model configurations:
• 742A Standard
• 742ADL Deluxe
• 742BDL Deluxe
• 742CDL Deluxe Carbine
• 742C Carbine
• 150th Year Anniversary model variant
• 100th Year Canadian Anniversary model variant
• Bicentennial 200th United States Anniversary variant


The 742 has often been referred to as the “Jam-a-matic.” The two most common problems with this model are extractor breakage and gas port erosion or deformation. The regularity with which these two issues arise in this model prompted Remington to discontinue the model in 1980. Currently, all versions of the 742 are classified as obsolete by Remington, and they do not offer technical support, factory service, or factory parts on any of the variants.

Should you need parts for a 742, the most commonly available parts can be found at Numrich Gun Parts.

By far the most common of the two chief problems with this model is extractor breakage. The extractor is a narrow band of steel that slips into the head of the bolt. The band has a bent lip that act as the actual grabbing surface of the extractor. It is held in place by one rivet that must be removed and installed after partial bolt disassembly. The problem occurs when the lip of the extractor breaks off or when the rivet shears off and the extractor falls out. The rifle will function to fire a single round (so your hunting trip is not completely wasted) but it will not extract spent shells from the chamber.

The second problem is gas port erosion. Remington designed the 742 to function just like the Browning BAR. Unfortunately, they did not copy the gas system very well. Over time, the hot gases erode the metal of the gas port hole, thereby making it bigger. This increase in size lowers the pressure in the gas system which makes the action malfunction and short cycle. There is only one way to fix this problem without buying a new barrel and installing it on the gun. You must build up the gas port with solder or steel then drill it out to the proper diameter. This solution is iffy at best, and does not always work.

While the value of the 742 is dubious as a functional hunting arm, I recognize the sentimental value that we sometimes attribute to our firearms. If you own a 742, however, I strongly suggest you use it as nothing more than a wall hanger. Preserve it for the sentimental value if you must, otherwise sell it. It is only a matter of time before you will experience an extractor failure, and parts will be getting harder and harder to find.

I will be posting a podcast titled Remington 742 Extractor Replacement as soon as I get the filming finished. We have one in the shop awaiting repair, so it will not be too long. Subscribe to our RSS feed to be notified when it is posted.

Bill Kapeles

Good read...
Do you know if the 740 and 7400 have the same problems?
I have always stayed away from the Rem auto loading rifles, maybe it's a good thing I did.
The gas port erosion doesn't sound good.