Rem 788 in 222 or 700 in 220 Swift?

[Peter M. Eick]

On of my local dealers has a Rem 788 in 222 with open sights in nice shape for about 150$ less then they have a 700 in 220 swift.

I freely state that I don't need either, but a nice accurate 22 has been on my to do list for a while. I have long thought that a 222 would be the way to go since I am a reloader and almost never buy factory ammo.

I used to own a swift as a kid and had good luck with it, but the 222 is a new adventure. I spent a lot of time in the search so both I have some older thoughts on the matter.

I don't really pdog hunt or anything like that, this is just something to blast with at targets at the range. Both look like nice guns in good shape.

So any opinions on either?

 

[Jubjub]

I've had remarkably good results from my vintage .222, a Savage 340. It seems to be happy with anything I've loaded. Speer, Hornady, and Midway Dogtown 50 grain soft points all shoot about 1.1 to 1.2", and the 40 grain Hornady V-Max shoots .8 to .9". This from a barrel that frankly looks bad, with a few visible dark spots.

Extremely non fussy and easy to load. I would definitely go for the .222.

 

[Strongbad]

They'll both be super accurate. I don't remember what the twist is in the 788 but you will want to check both if you plan to run heavier target bullets. I think the 788 probably has a 1:12 or something along those lines but I'm just shooting from the hip.

On the 788, make sure that the bolt handle is in good shape and hasn't been welded by some shade tree gunsmith as they're known to break where the handle is brazed/soldered on to the bolt. If it's been re-attached professionally and looks good, then who cares.

Obviously now days many folks use 700's for customizing and bench work, but back in their prime it wasn't uncommon to see a tricked out customized 788 on the line either. They were very popular with target shooters for a time and every one I've ever seen was a tack driver. The only other downside I can think of, which probably wont be a big deal for you is case stretching due to bolt compression. This occured because of the rear lugs. If you're not running a bunch of hot loads through it, that'll probably never be a problem.

 

[rangerruck]

I have a 788, everyone I have let fire it, has gone and searched for one. Why? because they are better than anything remmy has made since then. Why? Because the use 9 locking lugs to the rear of the bolt, think how smooth, concentric, and straight that bolt has to be, and perfectly perpindicular, when going into that chamber? Also , the 788 has maybe the fastest locktime, of any factory rifle ever made. Locktime is how long it takes, from when the sear is tripped by the trigger, until everything trips down, and the firing pin hits the back of the primer. the faster the locktime, the less amount of time for you to screw things up, such as move, breathe, etc. So that also helps out accuracy big time. Also , the accuracy on these rifles is an established fact to be darn good.
for cals , i would go with 222, unless you are dog punching or yote hitting 500 yds away, you do not need it, plus a 222 bbl, you will never wear it out, it is a very mild mannered cartridge, unless you are doing mag dumps with it!!!!
Get that 222, and be happy forever.

 

[peyton]

I second the 788, it was one of the best surprises Remington gave us. It wins no beauty contests but it will shoot and never let you down.

 

[DnPRK]

I have six 788s (two in 222) and all are tack drivers. The 222 was the winning benchrest cartridge before the 6mm PPC was introduced in the mid 1970s. The 788 was designed by a couple Remington engineers who wanted to produce a benchrest quality action. It has a very stiff thick walled receiver and the fastest lock time of any production rifle. 788s generally out shoot their more expensive 700s.

 

[ThomasT]

Peter, stay away from that 788 in 222. Its poison. Buy the other gun. The dealer who has that for sale is a crook.

Send me a PM with his address and phone number and i will see to it he never sells an inferior gun to the unsuspecting public again.

I had a 788 in 243 that refused to shoot any group smaller than 3/4". I also owned a 22/250 that i sold to my uncle that shot even smaller groups. He was very disappionted and never treated me the same afterwords.

Don't forget that PM with the dealers name and number.

 

[frogomatic]

NM, looked at the question all wrong

 

[Shawnee]

+1 for the 788 - Definitely !

 

[BigG]

I'm thinking the 788 in .222 Rem would be the one.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If the M700 is a standard sporter with a thin contour barrel, you'r not really gonna be able to make use of the .220's potential without altering the gun. So unless your state is one of few that allows big game hunting with .22 caliber cartridges, I'd say you'll find the .222 more useful.

Don't get me wrong, I love my .220 Swift. But it is exclusively a long range varmint cartridge for me, and I can't see having it in anything other than a heavy barreled varmint rifle.

 

[KI.W.]

.222 Rem and Vihtavuori N-133 "bench rest"-powder= 3/8" group -100 yard/ 3 shot with my Tikka 66 12/70-.222Rem.

 

[Essex County]

This one's a no brainer..Go for the 788 and get an icon.....Essex

 

[taliv]

never heard of the 788 before. i'll have to look into that.

i've had a couple 700s. one was fantastically good, the other fantastically bad. the bad one was a swift

 

[SwampWolf]

The 788, due to its rear locking lugs, has been criticzed over the years for causing more case stretching than the more conventional front locking bolt-action rifles do, everything else being equal. I'm only relaying what I've read, having had no reloading experience with the 788.

I did own one chambered in .243 Winchester which I obtained in a trade back in 1971. I recall it having a superb trigger and being very accurate with factory fodder. Getting rid of it ranks high on my firearm "seller's remorse" list.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Get the .222. It's one of the most accurate ctgs. ever.

 

[Jim Watson]

There is an internet hatchet job on the 788, how it is not really as great as mere 788 owners think. But almost all its criticisms of action spring and broken off bolt handles, etc. apply only to large casehead calibers. The .222 with its small head and rather low chamber pressure is just about ideal for it. My 223 is very good, a friend's .222 is excellent. Gettum.

A Swift is kewl but will have about 1/4 the barrel life, which is no fun in a blasting gun.

 

[Mal H]

I hate to be the one to bust the bubble, but I have to go against the grain and say buy the 788 over the 700. You won't be disappointed. It was a real sleeper model when it was introduced, but gauged in MOA's per dollar, it's always been a winner. I've had mine (22-250) for over 40 years and will never sell it.

Oh, wait! Everybody else said buy the 788!

Nevermind.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Well you all convinced me. I will get some cash together and wander down there this weekend and see if it is as good in person as in the pictures.

The 222 has been on my "buy" list for a long time.

 

[azhunter12]

Get the 788. I have one in .243 and love it.