a couple of old confusing remingtons

[Psyco Tyco]

I could really use yalls help figurin out some more about these guns, i just got a call from my grandad last week saying he was leaving them for me at my dads house because he needs to make room for some new toys in his safe wish he was giving me his benelli legacy and an AR to make room

one is a remington 788 in .243, from what ive found online some are apparently nice little tackdrivers, and he says it was grandmas deer rifle for years

and the other is a remington sportsman 74 auto. the closest i can find is the 742 which looks the same in pictures ive found...but he swears its a gem


are these little beauties as good as ive been led to believe? im off at school now and wont have access to the guns or a range until i head home after the semester ends, but i wanna know if theyll be something fun to play with and set up over the break or if ill be pawning them to save the valuable room in my own safe

 

[jim243]

Well Psycho, it looks like you hit the jackpot. I can't speak to the 788 but the 243 is a sweet cartrage that can do almost anything. You will have fun shooting it.

As to the Remington 74, it is a keeper and a collector item as well. The 74 and 7400 are the same gun but different model years. Here is a picture of what it looks like, this is a 7600 the pump version of the same rifle.

Jim



I think you need to thank your Grandfather.

 

[northark147]

Grandfather GIVES you guns, but you wish it was different ones... You would even consider pawning them.... Hmm yea my thoughts on the whole deal are not very High Road....

 

[jmr40]

The 74 and 7400 are the same gun mechancally. The 74 was ony offered for a few years and is just dressed up a little nicer.

 

[JohnBT]

www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/Model_74N

There's a little history on the 74 about 3/4ths of the way down the page - "Page 20". The Sportsman models had walnut-stained hardwood stocks.

 

[Sam1911]

Remington used the name "Sportsman" to indicate several versions of rifles and shotguns they put out which were stripped-down, less fancy versions of other guns they made.

I have a Sportsman 48 20 ga. shotgun (a version of the 11-48), and a Sportsman 78 bolt-action .223 (a very basic Model 700). Both are fine guns, just simple. No high polish, no frills. Usually a "hardwood" stock that's not walnut. (Probably birch, I'd guess.)

The model 74, 740, 7400 line are loved by a few and are very popular in some areas. They have a reputation of having somewhat of a short service life -- not generally lasting many thousands of rounds like a bolt rifle can, and being difficult to keep running as they start to wear out. But, if it does work reliably still, it makes for a fine hunting rifle.

 

[Psyco Tyco]

thanks for all yalls info on these, and i hope i didnt come off sounding ungrateful. this is just how it has always been with me and my grandad he gives me his old knives, tents, rifles, etc and if i can use them i keep them. most of my gun collection are used guns he's given me, but occasionally he'll give me some things i either have no use for or room and so i sell it off or give it to a friend

but im always thankful he introduced me to the outdoors and has been able to provide me with so many great things. im sure once i try these out theyll be in my safe forever, i just wanted to know what to expect, so again sorry for sounding ungrateful about the whole situation, it must seem that way not knowing our history of how much he sends my way

 

[788Ham]

The 788 .243 sounds like a dandy rifle! I've got one in .223 I've had a few years, an absolute tack drivin' fool ! That older rifle will be the only rifle you'll need now, ought to thank Gramps twice for that one.