Shot out 788 Remington

tokguy

tokguy

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My father's 788 seems to change it's POI on a random basis.
It's a 22-250 and they always ran hot loads through it and it's got a high round count.
He's thinking the throat is shot out.
What's the best plan of attack to get it back on coyote patrol.
Does anyone still make bbls for 788's?
I have noticed they still command decent to high prices so it seems a shame to shelve the gun.
Sadly the local gun plumber has been passed some years now with no replacement in sight so that's a factor too.
 
I'd say check with western gun parts or Elwood Epps
They carry parts and junked rifles never know unless you ask
Have you checked the action screws to see of they loosened?
Or maybe the bedding has to be done? I know 22-250's
We're not known for barrel life with hot loads
I had a couple, I had a Stevens 200 and loved it
I may buy into a savage" axis or find another 200
I'd take the 788 to a gd gunsmith
Have you tried factory loads? See how they shot as well
 
It was a bottom basement rifle to start with but they proved to be very accurate. Parts are very hard to obtain if at all. It can be re barreled with custom barrel and it will shoot better than it ever did. It is costly though... probably in the $700 range by the time you are through... as a worn out rifle you can probably still get $200 for it. There are guys out there that want them.
 
Any gunsmith could fit a barrel but cost is a factor as aftermarket barrels are not inexpensive and labour would be about $200 to $250 for most smiths. It has a different tenon and pitch than a 700 ( 1" and 20 TPI IIRC) so there aren't any short chambered barrels available.
 
It is most probably shot out. I used to use 22-250 Ackley to compete with. barrel life was 1000 rounds, maximum.

I might have an unused Savage barrel in 223. If the shank is wide enough, it could be threaded for the 788, and chambered in 22-250.

A custom barrel is not out of place on a 788. It is a very stiff action, with lots of bedding area (single stack mag) and very fast lock time. The factory stock looks like it is made from two hockey sticks. My son put his custom 788 in a McMillan stock and it is a very formidable rifle.

Some guys have pulled factory 22 cal barrels to go to another caliber or barrel, so look for a "take-off" barrel. I have a bunch of them, but don't know if I have any in 22. I know I had 20 new Savage take offs at one time, so good chance I have one of those. not sure the shank diameter would work.
 
depending on where you go with your after market barrel; as in what kind of a deal you might fall into and the love for the gun, to get it going again isn't out of the realm, it only takes money and finding the guy to do the job. I have found that these can be very accurate rifles. Add a new SS match barrel and you are off to the races.
 
Yup would agree that it's likely shot out, burned out several 22-250 barrels myself in the 70's. I have used a near new 700 barrel as a replacement, requires turning the shank and threading then recut the chamber. Cheaper than a new barrel but that works as well.
 
check the throat and muzzle, if you have a long enough bbl, it maybe cheaper to turn back a few threads, and trim the muzzle/recrown, the throat/muzzle take the brunt of the wear. However no guarantee of success.
 
guntech said:
It was a bottom basement rifle to start with but they proved to be very accurate. Parts are very hard to obtain if at all. It can be re barreled with custom barrel and it will shoot better than it ever did. It is costly though... probably in the $700 range by the time you are through... as a worn out rifle you can probably still get $200 for it. There are guys out there that want them.
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Could you not set the barrel back 1/2 and inch and recut the chamber? FS
 
Fassteel said:
Could you not set the barrel back 1/2 and inch and recut the chamber? FS
Click to expand...

You could but it is as much or in some cases more labour than fitting a new barrel... and life is not extended that much.

Broken bolt handles are common, due to over loading and pounding on the bolt handle...
 
Have you tried reworking your load and seating your bullets out further, maybe using heavier bullets. I did this several times with a couple 243s and was able to extend their life considerably.
 
c-fbmi said:
Have you tried reworking your load and seating your bullets out further, maybe using heavier bullets. I did this several times with a couple 243s and was able to extend their life considerably.
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I brought this very subject up today with Dad, and suggested maybe taking the chrono out of the box as well...f:P:...old dog, new tricks battle going on there.
He's just being tight due to the fact he has about 2200 FMJ / BT 55 gr bullets that were for loading and coyote patrol; like a new 22-250 will be cheaper...right...buy another heavier, longer bullet and back off the speed by 300-400 fps.
Thanks for your help all, it's much appreciated.
 
tokguy said:
I brought this very subject up today with Dad, and suggested maybe taking the chrono out of the box as well...f:P:...old dog, new tricks battle going on there.
He's just being tight due to the fact he has about 2200 FMJ / BT 55 gr bullets that were for loading and coyote patrol; like a new 22-250 will be cheaper...right...buy another heavier, longer bullet and back off the speed by 300-400 fps.
Thanks for your help all, it's much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Its likely not the barrel but the lack of quality control in the last few lots of those 55 grain FMJ's.......seriously try a box of factory and see what happens
 
tokguy said:
My father's 788 seems to change it's POI on a random basis.
Click to expand...

If you are getting large groups, then the barrel may need shortened from the muzzle, or the barrels life is over and need replaced.

If the POI moves, but the groups are good, then I would look for scope, mounts or bedding issues.


tokguy said:
He's thinking the throat is shot out.
Click to expand...

Use a throating reamer and recut the throat, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If it does, then you can wait on re-barreling.
 
"...seems to change it's POI on a random basis..." That's far more likely to be a bedding issue or as simple as a loose sight or stock screw. A barrel that is shot out just loses accuracy. You could slug the barrel to confirm though.
 
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