Remington788
New member
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I just picked up a Remington model 788 in .308 Win. What is everyones thoughts on these rifles? I got a good deal from my in-laws.
Remington Model 788
- Thread starter Remington788
- Start date
It's a fantastic rifle. I have one in 222, and it's one of the most accurate guns that I own. It's not the most attractive rifle in the world, but it's better than the Stevens 200 and other 'budget' guns. I like the short bolt turn and throw, and the smoothness of the action.
I don't like the way the gun balances at all, I wouldn't want one of these in a big game caliber as I find them extremely awkward to shoot off-hand. I also find that the small ejection port often causes case ejection problems, again not ideal for a big game gun.
Anyway, I won't be selling my 788. Ever.
I don't like the way the gun balances at all, I wouldn't want one of these in a big game caliber as I find them extremely awkward to shoot off-hand. I also find that the small ejection port often causes case ejection problems, again not ideal for a big game gun.
Anyway, I won't be selling my 788. Ever.
I have one that has been made into a .223 target rifle. I also have 2 prone stocks for it, one a bright pink 40X smallbore stock for when my daughter shoots it. The other stock is a Robertson prone stock that I shoot.
The 788 was going to be a economical rifle of the 700, however shooters soon found out the 788 was more accurate in most cases.
The 788 was going to be a economical rifle of the 700, however shooters soon found out the 788 was more accurate in most cases.
I have 4 or 5 of them. Good rifles, usually quite accurate. - dan
Rem 788's
I have one in 7mm-08 with the factory 18 1/2" carbine barrel set up in a Ramline stock with a Tasco World Class Plus 3-9x44mm scope. Was my first 7mm-08 and is a 'keeper'. I've even thought about 'upgrading' the scope a few times to something a little more compact but it shoots so well 'as is' that I thought "heck don't mess with it".
I have one in 7mm-08 with the factory 18 1/2" carbine barrel set up in a Ramline stock with a Tasco World Class Plus 3-9x44mm scope. Was my first 7mm-08 and is a 'keeper'. I've even thought about 'upgrading' the scope a few times to something a little more compact but it shoots so well 'as is' that I thought "heck don't mess with it".
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powder burner
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
a straight shooter and looks better when you stain the stock another colour.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The 788 is an accurate dependable hunting rifle - leaps and bounds ahead of Remington's later "budget" rifles. The one sore point I found was that it was easy to drop the magazine out of the rifle without noticing it. Probably why I prefer to carry rifles with hinged floor plates now.
I have two of them in 308. very slick actions. Now have heavy barrels on them.
The rifle (barrel,action and trigger) is excellent. The stock sucks. Looks and feels like it is mad from old hockey sticks. I like the look of that Ramline stock shown above.
The rifle (barrel,action and trigger) is excellent. The stock sucks. Looks and feels like it is mad from old hockey sticks. I like the look of that Ramline stock shown above.
There are a few quirks with the 788. The boltstops can break, but an aftermarket replacement is available. Watch caselength, because cases can stretch. Primary extraction is not the most positive. And the big one - bolt handles are pegged into the side and copper brazed in place. Broken off handles are not unheard of. Be careful with how much force is applied if you experience a stuck case, etc. There are two versions of bolt, the newer one has a bit more contact area for the attachment, but this pattern can be broken as well as the first version.
Thanks, me too.... The factory stock that came on my 788 carbine was well beaten hence my decision to go to the Ramline. I ordered it from Western Gun Parts a few years ago. Back in the day the Ramlines came with a Pachmayr decellerator recoil pad installed which is very nice. My action dropped right in with no fitting required. Barrel is free floated from the action in the stock. So, I decided to shoot it "as is" before doing any further bedding, etc. It shot like a house on fire, so I've just left it "as is". Don't even want to jinx it by upgrading the 'econo' Tasco scope...
Have owned one in .308, 18.5 inch brl. for about 16 years now..with various handloads and bullet weights it will shoot under an inch for 3 shots at 100 yds. Mine sports a Ramline stock for about 6 years now and was a drop in fit...camo painted it and prefer it to the wooden stock that i still have.
Never liked the trigger so I ordered a Timmeny (sp) trigger from Brownells yesterday...out of stock till 01 November 07.. on back order ..$98 US. ..almost what a 788 cost when they first came out 1970's. They aren't pretty but they will all shoot well regardless of calibre.
Never liked the trigger so I ordered a Timmeny (sp) trigger from Brownells yesterday...out of stock till 01 November 07.. on back order ..$98 US. ..almost what a 788 cost when they first came out 1970's. They aren't pretty but they will all shoot well regardless of calibre.
here is one of my 788s in a McMillan stock. This rifle has a target barrel installed and has been used to test police ammo. Still quite accurate, but after 4000 rounds not as good as it once was.
Note how the 788 has the minimum amount of steel removed for a magazine on the bottom and a ejection port on the side.
The brass ejects almsot vertically and hits a big target scope knob. This was cured by rotating the scopr 90 degrees. The wind knob became the elevation knob
.
Note how the 788 has the minimum amount of steel removed for a magazine on the bottom and a ejection port on the side.
The brass ejects almsot vertically and hits a big target scope knob. This was cured by rotating the scopr 90 degrees. The wind knob became the elevation knob
