Actually, the 788 was a wonderful mistake. It embarrased Rem because it outshot their premium actions out of the box and its trigger had faster lock time. They might be homely looking, but in their heart they are a LION!
Is it worth it to put the money into a rem 788?
- Thread starter dave_halsey
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
The following blog is interesting reading:
c-g-designs.blog4ever.com
It was written by French man Robert Chombard who regrettably past away last week. He had been working on the rear lug Inch action. And he did got some inspiration from the Remington 788among other rear locking lug rifles. The blog is written in both french and English . There are some interesting information. Enjoy
Articles
c-g-designs.blog4ever.com
It was written by French man Robert Chombard who regrettably past away last week. He had been working on the rear lug Inch action. And he did got some inspiration from the Remington 788among other rear locking lug rifles. The blog is written in both french and English . There are some interesting information. Enjoy
dave_halsey
Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your input and experience with the 788! I'm very aware of there being a lot of different actions to base a rifle off of. But the point is that this is the one I have laying around and am interested in doing something with. My dad got me this old 788 from a gun show in southern utah years ago for something like 150$. I'm not a bench competition shooter, but I am a hunter and also a guide out here in the west so it will be packable and be capable of smashing a muley or antelope out to 700 yards. I'm thinking the 7-08AI or 260AI.
I have a 788 243 Win that the bolt handle has broken off of; do you know of anyone repairing them professionally; it's already been brazed once. Or do you know of any precision machine shops making new one piece 788 bolts to eliminate that weakness?
Having built many rifles on the 788 action, I feel i know the strong points and the weak points so I will share what I know about the 788 Remington.
First a little history.
The 788 was designed to be an economical rifle to compete with other manufactures cheaper offerings. It was never intended/designed for a long action cartridge. Materials are the same and machine cost are greatly reduced because the requirements of the bolt abutments and the lack of broach cuts to control alignment of the bolt recoil lugs are eliminated, this design not only added action strength, it also added weight. Also they don't have a bolt recess that is really not necessary unless a cartridge is overloaded and spews gas out where it should not come from. (It is a nice safety feature for those occasions where pressure exceeded the cartridge case strength)
The reason they were removed from there action line was simple, they were hurting the 700 sales,
the same reason they removed the 721 and 722 models. And went with a standard short action and a standard long action. the manufacturing could concentrate on one design and one trigger design. this saves cost and improves production.
The recoil lugs location was also a design requirement because an interrupted thread is much more precision to machine it is also much less expensive saving cost of manufacturing. (The original goal), The strength issue is non existent. If this design is good enough for Weatherby Mark 5's , big artillery and navel guns, it is certainly strong enough for any rifle cartridge. they also allow a 60o bolt lift that makes them fast and gives a lot of clearance for scope and mounts
Another design advantage of the 788 was a center feed removable magazine. something we all seem to gravitate to now days. Having a straight bolt bore and bolt, tolerances can be closer.
The heavy bolt lift is a case of higher pressure and a more aggressive came angle that makes it harder to break the round lose (extract). A simple change to correct this is to add a tactical bolt knob to effectively improve the maniacal advantage of the bolt. Only 1/2 '' to 3/4'' longer seams to correct this negative. the only other negative I have encountered was the flat firing pin, and Remington remedied that soon after they came out with the 788.
There will always be lots of opinions about different actions, but most of this is based on hearsay
not actual experience. If they are not any good, why does a used one run anywhere from $500.00 to $900.00 dollars. Just because an action is designed for cheaper manufacturing cost, doesn't make it a weak or cheep action/rifle.
Like everything else, it is a great design if used the way it was designed.
J E CUSTOM
I traded for mine and am in to it for $300 all told. Looking it over, this one is very nearly perfect condition, but somebody removed the front sight and filled in the screw hole. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet. I don't care for the Weaver mount, so I'll probably replace that, and the old Tasco 4x scope will be replaced. I'll likely put on a decelerator recoil pad as well - but hopefully that will be it.
I definitely think they are worth the money to rebuild. I have 2 788's one in a .222 rem that shoots dimes all day long and a 243 that was rebuilt last year that shoots amazing. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
When I had mine rebuilt I had my gunsmith tap the action so that I could use lightweight talley's.
www.longrangehunting.com
When I had mine rebuilt I had my gunsmith tap the action so that I could use lightweight talley's.
Remington 788 Build
Well, the Mod 788 is an inherently accurate platform, so pretty much whatever you turn it into it will shoot, the only thing I might add to the conversation is; put in a Sako extractor in the bolt by a proficient gunsmith.
thatguyshm
Well-Known Member
I'm constantly keeping an eye out for one with a 473 bolt face. I shot my first deer with one and plan on building one up to match that 22-250 with modern parts, possibly built with a 22 creed for my kids to hunt with. It was a blast, glad my mother found this old gem.
You mentioned that it's a longer (Med) action? Maybe a 6.5 PRC or a 6.5-284 w/Hart bbl and a Boyds stock.
That would keep it a budget build and still be a shooter...All except for changing the bolt face :-(
Comanche41
Active Member
Just read through this whole thread because I was thinking of doing something with mine. I bought my first 788 in 22-250 in 1968 for $67 brand new. Shot several deer and a jillion jackrabbits with it. In 1973 I bought a 243 and gave it to my dad. Both of these were tack drivers.
My dad gave his back to me before he passed in 1990. My oldest son had it for a while and it came back to me a few years back. The only thing I did was to refinish the stock and use aquafortis on the hardwood to give it a really nice color. I was just thinking the other day that this rifle has probably only had less than 150 rounds through it since it was new. It sat in my closet for years while I was only bowhunting. I decided that I am going to put it back in action
I was looking at a new stock, but don't really have a need for one. I am thinking of having the barrel threaded for a suppressor.
Like others, I have had many more expensive rifles that couldn't hold a candle to the 788 in performance. Glad that I have held on to this one.
My dad gave his back to me before he passed in 1990. My oldest son had it for a while and it came back to me a few years back. The only thing I did was to refinish the stock and use aquafortis on the hardwood to give it a really nice color. I was just thinking the other day that this rifle has probably only had less than 150 rounds through it since it was new. It sat in my closet for years while I was only bowhunting. I decided that I am going to put it back in action
I was looking at a new stock, but don't really have a need for one. I am thinking of having the barrel threaded for a suppressor.
Like others, I have had many more expensive rifles that couldn't hold a candle to the 788 in performance. Glad that I have held on to this one.
Yes, JE Custom was a wealth of knowledge, and with the forum archive he still is, in a way.
Comanche: if you decide to spruce up your 788, the Boyd's stock I got for mine is quite nice and Murphy Precision made an exceptional picatinny base for me. The coated stainless matches the bluing on my action very well. I did have the bolt handle on mine tig'd to the bolt as a preventative measure.
Comanche41
Active Member
I am trying to resist.....
But then again, if I remember, I gave about $149 for this rifle new with a universal 4x scope. Between me, my dad, and my oldest son, we have had this thing for almost 50 years, so it is a family heirloom. This is getting interesting.
But then again, if I remember, I gave about $149 for this rifle new with a universal 4x scope. Between me, my dad, and my oldest son, we have had this thing for almost 50 years, so it is a family heirloom. This is getting interesting.
