Rem 788

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pwatts2

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One of my brothers, whom is very ill, recently gave me his Rem 788. I am going to kinda spruce the gun up a little myself. He bought it in1974 and it is still in good shape. He was never an avid hunter but did kill several deer with the gun. He gave me a slip of paper with the date and location of every deer killed with it. I just ordered a Boyd's stock and a Timney trigger for it. At some point I will probably put a new barrel on it. For now I just want to get it spruced up a little so that I can show it to him while he is still with us. I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask. Are Boyd's stocks as easy to install as I've read? The sights have been removed, to mount the scope, and the screws have been put back in the barrel. Ugly! Is there any way to minimize the appearance of said screws or will I just have to live with it?

Thanks
 
There's NO WAY I'd replace the bbl on a 788...OR alter the metal or stock...

First of all, it will take away from it's value...

Secondly, the bbl you put on, probably won't be any better than the bbl. it has now. The 788's came with very good bbls.!

DM
 
+1

Don't change a thing, including the trigger, other then refinish the stock & metal if you must.

The 788 was one of the most accurate rifles Remington ever sold just like it came.

Don't mess with success!!
Don't fix it if it isn't broke.

Get some plug screws to fill the holes and Bee Happy!!

rc
 
Even Remington didn't like to rebarrel a 788.

I bought one with a bulged and frosted barrel. (I wondered why anybody would put a gun out at a gun show without cleaning it. But it was just what I wanted. I found out why it was displayed dirty.)

I sent it off to Remington to be rebarreled, $135 at the time. I sent only the barreled action because the stock had been checkered and refinished and I didn't want them pulling a Ruger on me and returning it to factory appearance.
The barreled action I got back didn't quite fit the stock. Turned out to not have the same serial number. Remington didn't rebarrel it, they replaced it. Ten years after the model had been discontinued. A little reaming of the guard screw hole and some glass bedding took care of the stock fit and then I had a nice rifle. Just a little more expensive.
 
I don't often disagree with rc but I think a Timney trigger is a very good upgrade. Remington used a very poor grade of "pot metal" on the 788 trigger housings. Over time, it is so soft it deforms from the constant spring forces on it. Another problem is sear breakage. Apparently Remington was just starting MIM part production on the 788's and had some learning to do.
 
Well O.K..
You are probably right on the Remington trigger.

But putting a Boyd's stock and a new barrel on a vintage 788?

Come on!

rc
 
i have owner all the 788,s rifles and carbines over the years and only had one problem with one, a left hand .308 that the bolt handle broke off while working the bolt. my gunsmith brazed it back on and that fixed the bolt.i never had problems with the triggers other than soaking them in a good degreaser and useing a very light lube. i have four like new 788,s right now a .308, two 3030,s and a .44 mag. i never had one that would not shoot moa with the right ammo, a little heavy,a little ugly but they sure to shoot. eastbank.
 
I have a couple 788s. .223 rifle and 7mm-08 carbine. About all I would do is refinish the stock if it need it. The finish they used tended to flake off. Get a bottle of TruOil, strip the stock and rub 4-5 coats in. Some of those hardwood stocks had some nice grain in them. You might ask your local gun shop if they have any plug screws laying around. They usually do from mounting scopes. Good luck
 
I have a Rem 788 in .222rem that my dad bought new around 72 or 73 and it is a tack driver. It has little screws plugging the site holes that are flush. I wouldn't Change a thing
 
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