788?
- Thread starter 6.5x55swm
- Start date
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Remington 788s were made to compete with the 700s. They have really fast lock times, and handle some of the small varmint cartridges really well. Do you research on their problems. I guarantee you will find someone saying bad things about them, but don't be deterred.
They were an economy model Remington rifle with a reputation for good accuracy probably because of relatively heavy barrels and a stiff receiver. They are of rear lockup design with non adjustable trigger. There are reports of bolt handles separating and bolt setback with heavy loads but I had no such problems with the one I owned which was by the way very accurate. There are some aftermarket parts for them including triggers I believe.
The 788 was Remington's "Entry Level" rifle, began and ended during 700 production.
The receiver was pretty sturdy, and it had a very short lock time.
These rifles were astoundingly accurate for their price.
I have owned a number of them over the years, and all were very accurate rifles.
Timney made a replacement trigger for them, it may still be available.
The rear locking lug arrangement made hot handloads harder on brass, but I never heard of them setting back under hard use.
The receiver threads are different than are the 721, 722, 700, 600 and 660 series of rifles, so barrels from any of those do not fit.
FWIW, the 541/581/591 series rimfires use a smaller version of the 788 action, and are renowned for their accuracy.
The bolt release is on the safety. [Push forward to slide bolt out]
Regards, Dave
The receiver was pretty sturdy, and it had a very short lock time.
These rifles were astoundingly accurate for their price.
I have owned a number of them over the years, and all were very accurate rifles.
Timney made a replacement trigger for them, it may still be available.
The rear locking lug arrangement made hot handloads harder on brass, but I never heard of them setting back under hard use.
The receiver threads are different than are the 721, 722, 700, 600 and 660 series of rifles, so barrels from any of those do not fit.
FWIW, the 541/581/591 series rimfires use a smaller version of the 788 action, and are renowned for their accuracy.
The bolt release is on the safety. [Push forward to slide bolt out]
Regards, Dave
Back when I used to hang out at my friends gunsmith shop I saw a 788 take an extreme over pressure condition and it did set back the lugs a bit but I think just about any rifle would have after what this one was subjected to. The guy tried whacking the bolt open and of course the handle came off so the barrel was unscrewed to remove what was left of the casing and inspect the bolt.
I've owned a couple of these in the past and they were always accurate. Some issues I saw with these that came into the shop were the handles coming off and light primer strikes.
My second rifle was a 788 in .308 with the 18.5" barrel. One time while moose hunting I walked about a mile through some bush and when I came out on the road I looked down and no mag. I back tracked and probably a good 1/4 mile back or more I saw the perfect rectangular imprint in the snow and dug down to find my mag. Not sure how or what happened but somehow the mag release got pressed either by my hand or a branch. Pretty lucky to find the mag again.
I've owned a couple of these in the past and they were always accurate. Some issues I saw with these that came into the shop were the handles coming off and light primer strikes.
My second rifle was a 788 in .308 with the 18.5" barrel. One time while moose hunting I walked about a mile through some bush and when I came out on the road I looked down and no mag. I back tracked and probably a good 1/4 mile back or more I saw the perfect rectangular imprint in the snow and dug down to find my mag. Not sure how or what happened but somehow the mag release got pressed either by my hand or a branch. Pretty lucky to find the mag again.
I have six or seven of them, a good economic rifle . - dan
They were very good value for the money when new. They weren't made to compete with the 700 but to be sold at a lower price. Eventually Remington found that because of the relatively high cost to make 788s they couldn't sell them at a profit margin high enough to justify the model without encroaching on the sales of basic variants of the 700 so they rationalised their model range by discontinuing the 788.
The 788's fast lock time made them very accurate for an "economy" rifle which helped to support the long-lived myth that Remington dropped it because it was more accurate than the 700.
They continued to be very good value for money in the used market until too many people caught on and the prices started to climb and then new manufacturing methods with computer controlled machinery allowed manufacturers to introduce accurate hunting rifles like the Stevens 200 at relatively low prices that make what some people ask for a 788 a bit silly.
If you find one in good working condition and you like it enough for the price, you'll be happy. If you have three given to you for anything under typical used market price, you should be very happy.
The 788's fast lock time made them very accurate for an "economy" rifle which helped to support the long-lived myth that Remington dropped it because it was more accurate than the 700.
They continued to be very good value for money in the used market until too many people caught on and the prices started to climb and then new manufacturing methods with computer controlled machinery allowed manufacturers to introduce accurate hunting rifles like the Stevens 200 at relatively low prices that make what some people ask for a 788 a bit silly.
If you find one in good working condition and you like it enough for the price, you'll be happy. If you have three given to you for anything under typical used market price, you should be very happy.
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I inherited the 18.5" barrel carbine version in 243. Very accurate gun!, only complaint is they are on the heaver side. I just replaced the factory Trigger with the Timney one, it had a nice factory trigger but the safety never felt that positive.
The only complaint is the rear locking lugs prohibit heavier loads... if you get careless and lock the bolt up, the bolt handle is easily broken off by trying to pound it open. Also at this age, parts are very hard to find and some non existent.
It was a cheap rifle and very accurate.
It was a cheap rifle and very accurate.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Buddy has one in 308. Pretty accurate with hand loads but really horde on brass on loads that rant very hot. Major stretching in the web area. Otherwise no problems.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I can add to the accuracy of the 788. In the mid 80's I bought one in .44 magnum, NIB from a dealer in
Nelson BC. He had 5 of them in the shop that he scooped from a distributor.
(I should've grabbed
all 5!)....$285.oo ea!
With Remington 240 gr. soft points, I put 3 shots into 1.375" at 200 yds. I had a Bushnell 1.5-4.5 scope
on 'er, and it was a witnessed group. That same rifle won me some good 200 yd. off-hand gong shoots
at the club as well. My other 788's were in .223 & 7mm-08 and they all shot super as well.
Yes, the brazed on bolt handle wasn't the best idea, but the action was very strong and was combined
with good barrels and usable triggers. A lot of bench rest folks swear by the 788 action for their builds.
Remington now has the technology to remake this rifle proper, and they should bring it back...and at an affordable price.
Nelson BC. He had 5 of them in the shop that he scooped from a distributor.
(I should've grabbedall 5!)....$285.oo ea!
With Remington 240 gr. soft points, I put 3 shots into 1.375" at 200 yds. I had a Bushnell 1.5-4.5 scope
on 'er, and it was a witnessed group. That same rifle won me some good 200 yd. off-hand gong shoots
at the club as well. My other 788's were in .223 & 7mm-08 and they all shot super as well.
Yes, the brazed on bolt handle wasn't the best idea, but the action was very strong and was combined
with good barrels and usable triggers. A lot of bench rest folks swear by the 788 action for their builds.
Remington now has the technology to remake this rifle proper, and they should bring it back...and at an affordable price.
I have one in .22-250, it is an awesome little rifle. Very accurate, never had an issue with it since I got it from my Dad.
It is and will continue to be my coyote rifle for as long as either of us can go into the field. Awesome gun and probably my favorite in my collection. I also would like to get one in .308 or 7mm-08 soon.
It is and will continue to be my coyote rifle for as long as either of us can go into the field. Awesome gun and probably my favorite in my collection. I also would like to get one in .308 or 7mm-08 soon.
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