Rem 788 in .44

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nwilliams

nwilliams

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Rem 788 in .44! Now with Pics!

I hope I made a wise decision today.

I was at my local shop today and they had a nearly mint condition Rem 788 in .44 mag. The stock has a few light handling marks but overall I would rate its condition at 90+% and it comes with three mags and scope mount. It has iron sights but no sling swivels.

Anyway the shop wanted $450 for it which seemed like a good deal so I asked to put it on layaway. I'll probably pay it off at the end of the week once I get paid and once I have it home I'll post some pics of it.

I forgot to mention the bore is amazing, it really looks like it has never been fired!

The story on the gun is that it belonged to the father-in-law of one of the clerks at the gun shop. Apparently when the father-in-law died the clerk inherited his gun collection and this was among them. The clerk said that he himself never shot it and wasn't sure how much his father-in-law used it, based on how clean the gun is it doesn't appear to have been used much. Apparently one of the three mags is still new in the box!
 
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I'd put a nice low power scope on it, like a 1-4 or 1.75-6x ect . Here is a lovely bright old Weaver 3x with a post. I use 320 grain cast flat point bullets with enough Unique to get 900 FPS and very little NOISE. They flatten deer in my apple orchard to 50 yards - quietly! BTW 3 mags is like $100 thrown in. These are very desireable guns BTW and you did good!
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I'd put a nice low power scope on it, like a 1-4 or 1.75-6x ect .
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I actually have the perfect scope for this rifle already, a Bushnell Trophy 1.75-4x32. I really don't plan on shooting this gun past 100 yards, it's going to be a short range target rifle so I'm thinking the Bushnell scope that I have will be a good match for it.

I'm excited to get this gun out to the range and try it out! I'll post a range report after I do.
 
here is a little tip that may save you a few dollars(i know because i did it). never feed a shell into the chamber, always use the magazine. when loading a single round by droping it into the chamber and closeing the bolt it may break the extractor, the 44 mag and the 30-30 are known to do this. my 788 44 mag loved 27grs h-110 and a 200gr hornady xtp bullet. i sold it when i was offered a super price for it and bought a ruger ss 77/44. eastbank. ps good score,i think your gun and magazines are worth at least 700.00
 
I agree with every word Eastbank has just said; the mags are worth a ton, and i wouldn't doubt if it is as nice as you say, that you could actually get double what you are paying. Never mind i said that; if you change your mind about getting it, let us know where that shop is , otay?
 
OH... MY ... DAD!!!! Look at that thing, it looks brannew!!!! that is sick; it has the correct mount, correct rings, and a freakin new mag, still in the box!!!!
If you don't need that, you may wanna put that one up for auction as new in the box, unfired, and see how high the auction goes....or keep it for yourself, and put it behind glass!!!
That is so awesome, really , .... kudos to you sir, wine and toilet paper for all my friends... just a great score , I can't congradulate you enough , sir.
 
Did you all also notice it has the origional rear big step site, and the huge sharkfin front site? Oh man, it is so good, I am getting bumpy...
 
How can you be so cruel? Shame on you!

Well, congratulations on a well-done purchase. DO NOT let this gun leave your hands. I took this last season's deer with a 44 mag lever, so I think you just got yourself a great brush deer gun. Congratulations again.
 
That would be just about the best little supressed little rifle ever! Slap a can on that thing!
 
If you don't need that, you may wanna put that one up for auction as new in the box, unfired, and see how high the auction goes....or keep it for yourself, and put it behind glass!!!
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I'm pretty sure this gun is a keeper, even if I can sell it and double my money it's too neat a rifle to let go.

I definitely plan to shoot this gun but I also want to keep it in good condition, I'll take it to the range a few times a year just for fun.

It's not a huge investment so I don't feel too guilty about having it as a safe queen most of the time, although I've never been a big fan of owning guns if I don't plan to use them.
 
No idea what the factory trigger is like on yours, but I can say only good things about the Timney trigger for the 788. It's a one pin drop in replacement, and not terribly expensive.
 
Very nice score. Sweet rifle. See the lugs on the REAR of the bolt. Obviously a rear locking action (not that there's anything wrong with that). You hear the term all the time, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

Are there two sets of lugs (90 degree bolt throw), or three (60 degree throw)?

I like the looks of the rear sight. Would be a shame not to use them. I'd be tempted to use quick detach rings on it so I could pull the scope and shoot open sights when the whim affected me.
 
Oh yes, the genious here, if you have decent eyes, are the sights. they are yet accurate, and very forgiving and fast; they are huge , easy to pick up and easy to see; especially the front site. A double bonus if the front site has a brass tip or mother of pearly tip on it.
You can make a good argument, that this sight setup, for a factory rifle, was the best ever made, as far as a standard setup goes- no peeps or lymans and the like. They are just awesomes sights that are easy to see.
Another very good thing about the 788's is that as long as you keep them nice, shooting them does not hurt the value; especially on the 44.
Only thing better is if you can say unfired; like that one mag looks like!!!
 
I took my 788 out to the range today and I couldn't be more impressed with how accurate and fun this gun is! It makes a very big boom and has quite a kick but but it also makes nice big holes:D

I only put 25 rounds through it but I had it sighted in at 50 yards within about 10 rounds. I'm using a Bushnell Trophy 1.75-4x32 Circle-X reticle scope, not the highest quality scope but it seems do the trick.

Here's eight shots at 50 yards. Next time I go out out I'll probably sight it in to 100 yards but that will be the max range I'll go out with this gun.
788-4.gif
 
All I can say , again is, WOW!!! I can't believe you found
a scope that fits , in front of the massive rear sight. Excellent scope choice i say!!! the only thing better would be something like a magnified redot...fixed
4x.
 
...Let me also compliment you on some excellent pics you are taking, along with some nice touches; love the mag with the loaded 44 cart in it... sniff...
a tear... it looks so beautiful in there!!!
Really good pic though, some nice depth and reference there.
 
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