“New” Remington 788 Owner; Need Ur Info!

[MatrixReality]

So I recently acquired a Remington 788 in .308, manufactured in the 70’s, barely used. Paid $650 for it. Blueing and bore is pristine. Unfortunately, mine did not have the earlier walnut stock, but the later birch stock. The finish on the stock was horrible, and the wood was khaki light. I immediately took it apart, and sanded off the finish, stained it walnut brown, and finished it with Tru-oil. She turned out beautiful! Took her to the range today, and with 146gr PMC FMJ I was shooting through the same holes! I’m very pleased; however, I’ve heard other owners say they have had issues with their 788’s. Mine sometimes would not eject the empty cartridge out of the breech. Any experience you have with this model and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I have three 788's. Never had any trouble with ejection with any of them, .308, 6mm Rem, and 30-30. I recently put a different scope on the .308 but haven't had a chance to finish zeroing it in yet. I bought the 6mm new in 1973 and have always heard muttering about the so-called problems with the 788, I think mostly from folks who bought more expensive and less accurate rifles.

 

[Dr T]

The ejector on the 788 is a tad weak. My 6mm oh the same vintage unless you pull the bolt back smartly. Never had a problem hunting, but at the range it is a bit annoying. However it does make it easy to collect the brass for reloading.

Also, you may need higher rings. With lower rings, the ejected brass may hit the scope turret.

Btw, congratulations on your find. I think you got a good deal. I need to figure out to whom to leave mine since I am not going to ever sell it.

 

[GarnetandBlack]

I have one in .308, stock with the birch stock. Stock is all over the barrel and the rifle still shoots significantly better than MOA. Those things shoot. Usually better than 700s, like the reports go.

 

[tark]

Roy Marcot told me that Remington dropped the 788 line because it was embarrassing the 700s at the range. I met Roy a few years ago at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. The Remington Historical Society was visiting town. The 788, alongside the Savage 340, were probably the two best "economy grade" rifle ever produced, as they usually out performed their more expensive siblings. Not as pretty but better shooters.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

They have faster lock time than most other rifles which gives them an edge in the accuracy dept.

 

[Ks5shooter]

788 they just work....

 

[243winxb]

Mine sometimes would not eject the empty cartridge out of the breech.

The ejector spring may have been clipped, shortened, to keep brass from being thrown to far.

Try a replacement spring?

 

[thegatman]

I had trouble with ejectors on mine. Hard to find. A gunsmith made them for me. Very accurate. Lock up is strong.

 

[Buzznrose]

I had a .308 back in the 80’s. Accurate and zero issues

 

[MatrixReality]

I have three 788's. Never had any trouble with ejection with any of them, .308, 6mm Rem, and 30-30. I recently put a different scope on the .308 but haven't had a chance to finish zeroing it in yet. I bought the 6mm new in 1973 and have always heard muttering about the so-called problems with the 788, I think mostly from folks who bought more expensive and less accurate rifles.

Thanks

 

[MatrixReality]

The ejector on the 788 is a tad weak. My 6mm oh the same vintage unless you pull the bolt back smartly. Never had a problem hunting, but at the range it is a bit annoying. However it does make it easy to collect the brass for reloading.

Also, you may need higher rings. With lower rings, the ejected brass may hit the scope turret.

Btw, congratulations on your find. I think you got a good deal. I need to figure out to whom to leave mine since I am not going to ever sell it.

Thanks for the info; I’ll try racking the bolt back faster and see if that helps with ejection

 

[MatrixReality]

I have one in .308, stock with the birch stock. Stock is all over the barrel and the rifle still shoots significantly better than MOA. Those things shoot. Usually better than 700s, like the reports go.

Yes, I was amazed punching holes in holes! I think those 9 locking lugs on the bolt/receiver are key!

 

[MatrixReality]

Roy Marcot told me that Remington dropped the 788 line because it was embarrassing the 700s at the range. I met Roy a few years ago at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. The Remington Historical Society was visiting town. The 788, alongside the Savage 340, were probably the two best "economy grade" rifle ever produced, as they usually out performed their more expensive siblings. Not as pretty but better shooters.

Thanks; valuable info!

 

[MatrixReality]

They have faster lock time than most other rifles which gives them an edge in the accuracy dept.

Very good info! Makes me wonder why Remington did not continue those superior internal components in later 700 models?

 

[Jim Watson]

I thought my 788's ejector was weak but then found that empties were hitting the scope's windage turret and often bouncing back into the action. So I rolled the scope 90 degrees and ejecton cleared right up. I do have to remember that the adjustments are swapped.

 

[MatrixReality]

The ejector spring may have been clipped, shortened, to keep brass from being thrown to far.

Try a replacement spring?

I’ll check it out; thanks!

 

[MatrixReality]

I thought my 788's ejector was weak but then found that empties were hitting the scope's windage turret and often bouncing back into the action. So I rolled the scope 90 degrees and ejecton cleared right up. I do have to remember that the adjustments are swapped.

Thanks for that info!

 

[MatrixReality]

The ejector on the 788 is a tad weak. My 6mm oh the same vintage unless you pull the bolt back smartly. Never had a problem hunting, but at the range it is a bit annoying. However it does make it easy to collect the brass for reloading.

Also, you may need higher rings. With lower rings, the ejected brass may hit the scope turret.

Btw, congratulations on your find. I think you got a good deal. I need to figure out to whom to leave mine since I am not going to ever sell it.

 

[MatrixReality]

Yup; I didn’t have to find the brass. Thanks

 

[MatrixReality]

I had trouble with ejectors on mine. Hard to find. A gunsmith made them for me. Very accurate. Lock up is strong.

Thanks!

 

[MatrixReality]

I had a .308 back in the 80’s. Accurate and zero issues

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Thin wall / cup primers and hot hunting loads get pierced pretty easy. (lock-time vs. pressure setback speed) So if you are thinking of hunting handloads switch to CCI mag. There are 2 types of firing pins for C.F. models early / late. If you can find one get the extractor rivet punch. Used mine for rifle silhouette shooting. Nothing I tried with weight over 185grs EVER worked. **** IMPORTANT**** WHEN REMOVING the trigger to clean or replace with the timney. BE VERY VERY careful and easy punching out the mounting pin on the trigger unit. The mounting boss / nub can EASILY be whacked right off. Then you look foolish going to the gunsmith. He will look at you like you big dummy! Also don't call jack Fist for spare FP. Dude started ranting on me when I didn't even break the FP. It was the original owner.

 

[MatrixReality]

Thin wall / cup primers and hot hunting loads get pierced pretty easy. (lock-time vs. pressure setback speed) So if you are thinking of hunting handloads switch to CCI mag. There are 2 types of firing pins for C.F. models early / late. If you can find one get the extractor rivet punch. Used mine for rifle silhouette shooting. Nothing I tried with weight over 185grs EVER worked. **** IMPORTANT**** WHEN REMOVING the trigger to clean or replace with the timney. BE VERY VERY careful and easy punching out the mounting pin on the trigger unit. The mounting boss / nub can EASILY be whacked right off. Then you look foolish going to the gunsmith. He will look at you like you big dummy!

Thanks; I did not know that. Excellent info! The trigger is excellent, so I won’t be upgrading it. I’ll also be staying around the 150gr bullet range, so I should be good. Thanks for the warnings; I had no idea!

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

So whats the difference between the 788 versus the 610?