The Remington Model 742 Woodsmaster is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle produced by Remington Arms between 1960 and 1980, serving as a highly popular American big-game hunting firearm. Over its 20-year production run, nearly 1.43 million units were built, solidifying its presence in deer camps across North America due to its sleek profile, low recoil, and quick follow-up shots. Technical Specifications Action Type: Gas-operated semi-automatic Weight: 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) As is in photos shown Barrel Length: 22 inches (Standard) or 18.5 inches (Carbine) Magazine Capacity: 4-round detachable box (10 and 20-round aftermarket magazines also exist) Caliber Options: .30-06 Springfield (most common), .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, .280 Remington, and 6mm Remington Stock: Factory walnut stock featuring pressed checkering Sights: Side ejection port, iron sights adjustable for windage and elevation, and a receiver drilled/tapped for scope mounts Design and Features The rifle was designed as a sleek, streamlined improvement over its predecessor, the Model 740. Its internals were heavily inspired by Remington's highly successful shotgun lineup, sharing basic action design lineage with the Remington 1100 series and using a multi-lug rotating breech bolt. A prominent push-button cross-bolt safety sits at the rear of the trigger guard. The model was offered in several distinct grades over its lifespan: 742A Standard: Plain wood and basic appointments742ADL / BDL Deluxe: Upgraded walnut stocks with more ornate machine-checkered finishes742C / CDL Carbine: Shorter, fast-handling versions meant for navigating dense brushMaintenance and Performance Reputation While highly favored by historical hunters for fast shots in dense timber, the Model 742 requires strict, meticulous maintenance. Because it was engineered strictly for low-volume hunting applications rather than high-volume target shooting, failing to keep the chamber and gas system clean frequently causes extraction failures. This quirk earned it the community nickname "Jamomatic" among users who neglected deep cleaning. Over time, excessive firing causes the bolt's locking lugs to chatter and wear out the receiver rails, a condition that is difficult to repair. Production of the Model 742 ceased in 1980 when it was replaced by the updated Remington Model 7400.