Rem.788 Vs. Rem.model 700

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I own several 700's and have a chance to buy a 788 in a 6mm. I realize it is an older rifle and the action is completly different. What are the pros or cons on this rifle,are they a good shooter? Thanks on any advice!
 
These rifles tend to be very accurate.
The biggest con is that they are out of production, and parts availability is limited. Broken off bolt handles are the most serious failure that happens from time to time.
 
The Remington 788 is a great rifle, and if you can get one in 6mm, chances are it will be an excellent shooter. I have a 788 in .308 and it shoots MOA with or without handloads and carries well in the bush.
 
The 788 receiver cost more to manufacture than a 700's. It wasn't really all that much less expensive to make that a 700, so it lost its niche in the product line.
 
tiriaq said:
The 788 receiver cost more to manufacture than a 700's. It wasn't really all that much less expensive to make that a 700, so it lost its niche in the product line.
Click to expand...

788 owners love this one...:D

anyone who understands manufacturing can see that the 788 was discontinued because Remington decided that rather than running a separate manufacturing line for the 788 it was cheaper to take a 700 action off the line, do very little polishing and put a low cost, blind mag hardwood stock on it and stamp it Sportsman 78..they didn't checker the bolt handles either....the Sportsman 78 was introduced when the 788 was dropped and went for a few years as Remington's economy grade bolt action......which is kind of surprising as the ADL remained in production as well....
 
788s

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I own several 788s in .308 and .222. All are vey accurate. I wanted to buy one in 6mm for my and couldn't find one. I settled for a 700 and liked it so much, I bought another for myself!
The 700s are a prettier rifle, but for utility, the 788 wins.

They have a habit of dropping mags inadvertently, depending on how you carry it, so buy spares. They'll be $45-$50 if you can find them. The safeties tend to come off easily as well, so it's a 'heads up' thing when moving with a chamber loaded.

I've had mine glass bedded and I finished the stocks with a grey 'granite' textured spray finish. Looks like an after market stock. Never had to work on the triggers.

The 6mm round is a winner and brass will be around for a long time. Ballistically, it's got a slight edge on the .243, but anything you hit won't know the difference.

Todd
 
Bolt stops break, but have been reproduced. The extractor is the rivetted pattern, not readily available. The plastic headed safeties and magazine catches break. The trigger mechanism is a single spring design with sintered trigger and sear. Be careful if attempting to tune one. Primary extraction is not as good as many other designs. In the event of a stuck case be careful with how much force is applied to the bolt handle.
 
Rear locking lugs. Cases stretch excessively so you may want to neck size brass only. Really humble looking rifles but mine were great shooters.
 
they were to the shooters of 30 years ago what the stevens 200 is today-a functional and very accurate hunting rifle that didn't cost too much
 
6mm mags are slightly different than the other '08 cartridge mags so grab them if you can. They are at a premium. Also have one in 222 and 308. All have tight chambers and shoot well. No problem with case stretching, but I avoid full length sizing.
 
I have owned a number of 788 Remingtons over the years since they were first released, and I never had a poor shooter. My daughter has a LH version in 6mm Remington, and it is a ¾ MOA (or less) rifle with practically anything she shoots out of it. My present 222 will shoot 5 into ½" with loads it likes. The comments regarding case stretch are valid if one loads warm, but with judicious loading, brass lasts well. Regards, Eagleye.
 
I have a LH 788 in 6mm Rem and it is one of my favorite shooters. The only thing I don't like is the single stack three shot mag. I would rather have a hinged floorplate. Really not a big deal though when I consider how fun it is to shoot.
 
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788s

Anytime you guys with a southpaw 788 wanna part with it, lemme know! My lady is a southpaw.

I've heard this bit about bolt handles coming off on 788s and 700s, but I've yet to meet anyone who actually had it happen. One of those 'rifle loony' myths that 'everyone knows', but ...?
Same for the extractor being a problem on either action.
Same for case stretching due to the rear locking lugs. Greater total locking area than many other actions. It was never a criticism of Schultz & Larsen or other European designs that have locking lugs other than on the bolt head.

I used to neck size only until I got other rifles in .308 and now I full length resize and everyone's happy.

I'm still waiting for a trigger to go sour ....

Todd
 
Picked up my 6mm 788 years ago, would'nt shoot up to par. Previous owner tightened front action screw too tight too many times, action was loose in stock from screw bottoming out. Fixed that and still shoots great .Still waiting for 788 demons to show up.
 
Sharps '63 said:
...I've heard this bit about bolt handles coming off on 788s and 700s, but I've yet to meet anyone who actually had it happen. One of those 'rifle loony' myths that 'everyone knows', but ...?
Same for the extractor being a problem on either action...
Click to expand...

I have personally re-attached at least 18 of them. Repair is about the only option, replacement bolt bodies are essentially unavailable. The rifles had been rode hard and put away wet, but yes, bolt handles can be detached. Remington changed the design slightly to reduce the problem. Later bolts have a slightly swept back handle; in this pattern of bolt, the threads on the bolt shroud are smaller in diameter, so the root of the bolt handle is slightly longer. This allows for a stronger joint.
700 handles are attached with an induction brazed joint where the root of the handle wraps around the bolt body. I have seen these detached, as well. Usually if a 700 handle comes off it is apparent that the original joint was less than 100%. Have also seen a couple where the handle started to peel, and then broke in the area of the primary extraction cam.

Incidentally, if Remington had elected to attach the bolt handle the way that Winchester did on the post '64 M70s, handle separation would not be a weak point in the design.

The extractor on the 788 is no worse than that on any Remington rifle with a rivetted in extractor. IF the extractor ever needs to be replaced, these are not the easiest parts to obtain.
 
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Rem 788

I've had three 788's... a .308 Win, a .30-30 Win and the one I still have, a 18 1/2" barrel carbine in 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 shoots like a house on fire & is a "keeper" for sure.... great rifles.
 
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