[GunNut]

Local pawn shop has a Remington Model 788 in .243win for sale.

Gun appears to have approx. an 18" barrel.

Comes with a broken scope in Burris mount and rings.

Wood stock may have been cut down for a younger/smaller shooter.

Besides the broken scope and short stock the gun appears to be in very good condition.

Asking price is $299, but 2 seconds of negotiating got to $250. So I think that $200 or $225 is not out of the question.

What I'd like to know is:

1. Is the short barrel factory?

2. What is the quality and accuracy potential of this rifle?

3. Is it worth the money?

Look forward to your replies.

Steve

[Jim Watson]

1. Late production 788s had 18.5" barrels. I don't know if there was a youth model with shorter factory stock.
2. Quality is plain but stout; accuracy *potential* is excellent. It is an article of faith among us 788 owners that it was discontinued because it was more accurate than the 700s and was costing Remington money by taking sales away from the more expensive gun.
3. I dunno the $ value. Add the cost of a Ramline stock, about $90, so as not to crowd the price of a new Savage, which is also an accurate economy model.

[CB900F]

GunNut;

Rem 788's enjoy an excellent reputation for accuracy. However, the one you are looking at appears to have been at the mercy of the gun goobers. Check the muzzle, does it have a factory crown on it? Examine the stock/metal inletting for amateur smithing. Are the screws holding the action to the stock buggered up?

By the way, scope bases for 788's are worth their weight in gold. Nobody's making over- the-counter-for-sale bases any more that I know of.

By and large, I'd say that if you can get it for $250.00 it's worth it.
But, I'll also say, be prepared to spend some time & money on it after you buy it. Good luck.
900F

[Dave McCracken]

Sounds like a great project rifle, needing a bit of this and that.

Had one in 6mm Remington. Tight groups, despite a trigger group resistant to clean, light snapping. It wore a 4X12 Weaver and kicked butt on groundhogs and in Light Sporter class. Nice toting rifle, tho I never took a deer with it.

Glass bedding is a bit tricky because of that magazine, go slow and take your time.

[Penman]

I think the utilitarian nature of the 788's gives them a lot of anti-snob appeal. The fact that they tend to be accurate and reliable is gravy. Remington should reissue them as low cost law enforcement carbines.

[telewinz]

I am a follower of the Remington 788. I've got one in 30/30 that took me years to find. It has one of the quickest lock times of ANY rifle plus it has Remington's built in reputation for accuracy. IIRC, the .243 is the short action so parts and stocks are available for it. It has rear locking lugs (9?)like the Weatherbee and Remington stopped making them in the late 70's (when I first tried to buy one:fire: ) It was an economy rifle at the time only if compared to the 700BDL and other deluxe finish rifles. It has a walnut stock and is drilled and tapped for a scope mount. At the shows the 788's go for $350 and up depending on condition and caliber. The .44 magnum version goes for $450 up. In the 25 years I have been "looking" for 788's in 30/30 caliber I have only seen two, one at a local gunstore (12yrs.) and one at a pawnshop (23yrs.) which I purchased. The most common calibers I've seen are 308, 22-250, and 243 with the .44 magnum and 30/30 coming up at the end of the line. The 788 to me is the classic workhorse of the bolt action sporting rifle.

[uglygun]

The 788 is a wonderful little gun.

My uncle has one that was inherited from my grandfather, I DESEPERATELY WANT that rifle. His is a 788 in 222Remington and it's in great shape to boot.

I've never gotten the gun to the range to see just how accurate it is but I suspect it's a real nice gun.


The 788 is the gun that Remington should have updated or resurrected instead of creating that stupid 710.

[DnPRK]

I have four 788s in various calibers and barrel lengths. They are excellent rifles that have the potential to outshoot 700s due to rigid action and super-fast lock time. Gunpartscorp.com sells new 788 stocks for $35. Save that scope mount as the only easy-to-find mounts today are Weaver #75 & 76. If bubba did not shorten the barrel, I would buy it in a heartbeat at the price you stated.

[Al Thompson]

Even if the barrel is only good for a tomato stake, $250 is not a bad price for an action and scope base.

[CB900F]

Gun Nut & all;

Even if 'Bubba' did shorten the barrel, all is not lost. A quality recrown done by a good smith should run all of $30 -50. depending on who's doing it & where you are.

Were you aware that the 788's were also made in left hand bolt?
Then there are the 6mm's whom someone else mentioned. They are moderately rare in themselves. Then go try to buy a spare magazine for a 6mm.

900F