788

[TexasPatriot.308]

I just got an inside on a Remington 788 in .308 in really good shape for $269. last time I owned a 788 was in the late 70's and it was in .222 and wish I still owned it. are the larger calibers like the .308 just as good? I am thinking of picking up this rifle this weekend not just for the price, but cause they are hard to find. the rifle looks in great shape, stock, barrel, action. I got a feeling I may want to kick myself if I dont buy it.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Buy it...the 788's are fine rifles (I have one in 243).

 

[jimmyraythomason]

BUY IT NOW! or you WILL regret it later!

 

[Sunray]

"...are the larger calibers...hard to find..." Yep. Discontinued in 1983.

 

[Abel]

My 788 in 308 is a keeper. Dead deer by the dozens.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a feelin' I am gonna own me that 788 this weekend.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

And yes I did have one in .308 Winchester. I let mine get away before I realized what a gem I had.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

Not to be the voice of dissent, BUT...

I was never as impressed with the 788s as I was with other Remingtons. The ones I've seen shot well, and held good groups; they just never seemed to have the fit and finish of the 700s or any of the older rifles.

Maybe the few I've seen were just bad examples?

Arthur
http://improvingmyselfconfessional.blogspot.com/

 

[rust collector]

They were intended to be a more economical alternative to the M700, so were usually in plain birch stocks and were heavy because they had a lot of steel in them. Triggers OK, lock time better than the 700, and action was stiff so they usually shot very well. My 223 was very accurate but somewhat heavy, especially with a steel Weaver V9 on board, so I sold it.

I do have a 7mm-08 carbine that I have partially into a Bishop stock. Good specimens are getting harder to find. You will likely enjoy its accuracy.

 

[Abel]

they just never seemed to have the fit and finish of the 700s or any of the older rifles.

Because they were cheap! Back then, they were the economy option. But some folks believe that Remington stopped making them because they were too good. They were so popular that they way outsold other models with more profit margin...like the 700.

 

[wyohome]

I have a pretty nice one in .308. It shoots nearly as well as my Kimber, has been restocked and has had some trigger work done. I have owned 3 over the years.

 

[Bluehawk]

It's a great deal...they sell for well over $400 these days!
Yes, they were an inexpensive alternative to the Rem 700's and Remington embarassed themselves with it because it shot as good or better than the 700's and with it's unusally fast lock time and rear locking lugs with short bolt rotation it is a great rifle!
I have the 6mm Rem model and won't part with it!!!!!
Gun Parts Corp has a company making new magazines for them these days too!

 

[Abel]

Gun Parts Corp has a company making new magazines for them these days too!
Bluehawk is online now Report Post Quick reply to this message

These little babies would sell from 50-100 smackeroos on auction sites all the time:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?pid=723530&catid=4346

 

[rangerruck]

the most important things to rmember are this; 9 locking lugs on the bolt, for a very straight lockup, for added accuracy. a super great trigger pac, with a weak housing; so make sure you keep it clean, extremely lightly lubed, and dry.
otherwise, you start to route out the holes that hold the various pins, and the trigger, which is one of the fastest factory triggers ever made, starts to get mushy.
Yes the stock is usually a polished piece of hershey bar but it will shoot better than most rifles you will every buy; so replace it if you wanna.
That is a great price by the way, usually about 150 bucks less than what you find, so get it. If you can get an extra mag, get one of those as well.
If you can't find one stamped 308, then one stamped 7.08 or 243 will work
the exact same.

 

[hardluk1]

kentucy rifleman Thats the reason so many of use DO like the 788 so much . It was cheaper than the rest of the line up and typicaly out shot them as well. You did not have to worry about hurting the stock or the finish on the barrel. Just a great shooting basic rifle. Whats not to like. Kinda like the vanguard line with weatherby, except its really a howa, still basicaly a better shooter. A 788 around here goes for 400 + for a rag of a out rifle.

 

[d2wing]

I had one in .243. Very accurate. As I recall, it had rear locking lugs on the bolt. I would buy one in .308 as that is the biggest cal. they were made in. They were a shorter action than the 700.

 

[sig220mw]

TexasPatriot.308

I got a rem 788 in 308 in about 1991 or 92 at a gun show at Market Hall at Dallas for 260.00 and have never looked back or regretted it. Very accurate rifle. Short action which makes it easier when getting into and out of tight fitting tree stands etc. My favorite caliber is the 270 but the 308 is just much more handy in those smaller places. I wish I could find one in 22-250 in decent shape. Like I said I paid 260.00 in the early 1990's if you can pay only 269.00 grab it. I've had good luck with 125 gr nosler ballistic tips over 46.5. gr of RL15 and also with the same bullet at 165 grains with 42.7 gr of the same powder. Have had some good accurate loads using IMR4064 also. The worst loads with 308's are usually still pretty good when compared to other calibers. It is a caliber that is just naturally accurate. Good luck with it.