Remington 788 in .243

Crazytrout

Crazytrout

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Buddy of mine was just given by a family member a Remington 788 in .243 Win.
Have never handled one, however looking for your opinions on this rifle/caliber combo.

The rifle is pretty much mint and I have read some reviews on the web stating that it is not good for reloads??

Look forward to your comments.

Regards

CT
 
I've never had one but from what I've read despite their status as a "bargain model" they had a reputation for accuracy.

Never heard of a reload problem, though the bolt handles have come off of some.

If I was given one as described I'd never part with it and I have a Remington Model 700 in 243 already.
 
I have a half dozen or so in various calibers. I've been thinking of getting rid of a few, not because they are bad rifles (they certainly are not), simply because I have multiples in certain calibers. Rear multi lug lock-up on the bolt usually gets the blame for the "no reloads" argument. Been my experience that as long as your loads are factory pressure or less there isn't a problem. Start shading the pressure curve and a 788 will show it doesn't like it before a 700 will, generally. Bolts are soldered on (as are the 700's), and occasionally the solder was contaminated on installation, which causes a weak joint. Triggers are available from Timney and used to be from Canjar as well (I have one, sweet trigger). Stocks from Brown, Ramline and MPI. Farrel makes a 20 MOA base I believe (at least there's one on one of my rifles).Every one I own shoots well. They were a good seller for Remington, as they were marketed a lot cheaper then the 700 and were usually more accurate out of the box. Not cheaper to make though, from what I've been told, so eventually they were dropped. I have used mine for a lot of years, taken a fair bit of game with them, in all, I like the rifle. - dan
 
I really like 788's. I have been looking for a 'minter' .222 for quite a while. Missed one on the EE a month or 2 ago......:(

They were a tough working man's rifle. No checkering, no white line spacers. The early ones were released in 30.30 and 44 Mag, as well as 6mm. Plus the usual line up consisting of .222 .225-250 .243 and .308. 7mm-08 was added later.
I don't think they built one that wasn't accurate. Trigger lock time was amazing then, and now. Well built, and the bolt on the .308 I had smoothed out ok after an evening or two of cycling in front of the TV.
I remember them new on the shelf in Calgary at Acme Novelty in the early 70's....for 109.99.
 
It was the most accurate rifle ever chambered in 44 mag...:D

All kidding aside, I would probably pick one up at the right price, they are a little homely looking though.
 
Have had several, 6mm, 243, 222, 223, 22-250 and one in 308. Shot very well, didn't care for the single stack mag, kinda ugly, but they all worked and shot very well.
 
I just picked up a 788 in 308 from a fellow gun nutter the rifle is NIB/unfired with a serial number from 1974, nice light handling rifle with a excellent trigger, dont buy one buy two:)
 
A 788 in 7mm-08 was the first centerfire rifle I bought with my own money when I was an 18 year old kid. It was also the gun that introduced me to reloading and never ran into any reloading problems... But then I wasn't trying to turn it into a magnum.

They were originally marketed as a budget rifle and were reasonably priced when new. I'd get another one but in my opinion they sell for more money nowadays than they are worth.

Your friend is lucky to get one given to him.
 
I have one and my kids and I have shot some game with it. I love to shoot it at the range and I think I'll keep it for a coyote gun. It will do the trick on deer and pronghorn but both kids are ready to move up a notch and I have never liked the way the .243 kills. (no blood trail on most animals and trouble finding a couple.)


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