I know there will be some hate mail for this... I traded a Glock 26 for a 788 today. It had a Bushnell variable "Sportsman" scope mounted, leather sling and about 40 rounds with it. All the metal parts, rifling included are in great shape, the wood has seen better days. I shot 2 rounds today to check the zero, can't complain still dead on. My question to the THR brain trust is this... with the rifle being accurate as is, should I invest in a new stock? I don't want to change the trigger,I don't think it is a new drop in or anything but it is very short and crisp, no creep. I like it. Thoughts?
Remington 788 in 243
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Don't know. But I will tell you this. Trading a Glock for a 788 in .243 is a very wise trade. I would trade every Glock in the world, or pretty much any other black handgun for that matter, for every 788 in the world. Or 700. Or 70. Or Mark V. Or A-bolt. Or just about any other rifle for that matter.
nulook45
Member
I would give up a glock anytime any where for a 788 Remington in almost any caliber. Mine are .243 and .308 both shoot sub moa . and yes if the stock is so far gone it cant be refinished replace it no problems there 
TexasPatriot.308
Member
I got a 788 in .308.....tackdriver....would love to find another in 7mm-08 and .22-250. I got lots of newer more expensive rifles, but think I know why Remington quit making this model 788....it was outshooting the higher dollar model 700s. my 38 year old 788 still shoots dime groups and I still take it out of the safe regularly.
What had surprised me most about these rifles I'd that I hadn't heard of their accuracy until today when I looked them up when someone offered it for trade. I love this thing. If I do come across one in 7mm-08 I will jump on it. I like that round.
Jcinnb
Member
I am a fool and I have refinished a bunch of stocks. Mausers,VEPRs, a beat up MN, and a Rem 700, you tube is your friend.
I'd probably throw in my left nut with a Glock for a 788.My first rifle was a 788 in .222,and I had to have knee surgery from trying to kick my own ass for selling it.It's #1 on my most wanted list.They are solid,accurate rifles,and back in the day,a 700 wouldn't outshoot them.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
First congratulations for a great trade, it might have been even better had the caliber been 6mm Remington...... How is the stock damaged? Scratches and dents or real cracks and gouges? If it is only surface damage I would remove the remaining original finish with some type of remover, steam out any dings, sand the rough spots, and then refinish it with Homer Formby's Tung Oil. It takes about 7 or 8 coats but it will have a very durable low gloss finish that will look magnificent for years to come. I currently have 4 - 788's and am actively looking for more......
How is the stock damaged? Scratches and dents or real cracks and gouges? If it is only surface damage I would remove the remaining original finish with some type of remover, steam out any dings, sand the rough spots, and then refinish it with Homer Formby's Tung Oil. It takes about 7 or 8 coats but it will have a very durable low gloss finish that will look magnificent for years to come. I currently have 4 - 788's and am actively looking for more......
From a money perspective both are about equal in value so if you like the 788 better you did OK. It will be a lot easier to replace the Glock if you decide you want another than to find another 788.
There aren't many options for aftermarket stocks and the ones I'm aware of are either ultra cheap and a major step down over the factory stock, or high end McMillans. I'd keep it in the factory stock unless I were interested in just using the action for a full blown custom then I'd go with the McMillan.
Be very careful with the magazine. The guns have been out of production for 30 years. Many of the mags are worn out and replacements are hard to find and EXPENSIVE.
While an innovatative design from 45 years ago I think they are quite a bit over rated compared to many modern guns. I wouldn't pay the prices they are selling for.
There aren't many options for aftermarket stocks and the ones I'm aware of are either ultra cheap and a major step down over the factory stock, or high end McMillans. I'd keep it in the factory stock unless I were interested in just using the action for a full blown custom then I'd go with the McMillan.
Be very careful with the magazine. The guns have been out of production for 30 years. Many of the mags are worn out and replacements are hard to find and EXPENSIVE.
While an innovatative design from 45 years ago I think they are quite a bit over rated compared to many modern guns. I wouldn't pay the prices they are selling for.
eastbank
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one of the things that were not to good with the 788,s was that the bolt handle was a weak link and the triggers. i had two that the bolt handle broke off while shooting it, one broke as i cycled the bolt to fire it. as i pushed the bolt foreward chambering the round it broke leaving me with a round in the chamber and a bolt handle in my hand. i used a screw driver to lift the bolt and pull the bolt back to eject the live round.if you look closley at the bolt handle root it is threaded into the bolt body with only a few threads and brazed in place. for me to fall in love with a 788 several things would have to be done,better bolt fastening,better trigger, good stock and lighter weight. when i bought my first rem 788 in the late 60,s it cost 91.00 OTD and a rem 600 mowhalk was 99.00 OTD and a rem 1100 was 159.00 OTD. eastbank.
Sav .250
Member
Don`t change just for chance sake. You said,"still dead on." Looks like you`ve got yourself an accurate shooter. Can`t ask for more. Looks aside of course.
Bush Pilot
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The 788 is a great gun. If you got the gun to hunt with I wouldn't worry about a different stock. If you're like me, 10 minutes out of the truck and you'll have scratches. BTW, there are aftermarket suppliers for magazines, not as cheap as the originals were, but available.
hardluk1
member
Like others have said You did good on the trade. Those old remmys are some fine shooters. Besure to keep a good grease on the 9 locking lugs as you never want to have to beat the bolt open as that's the only real week point in them. Even the trigger can be polished up to a much lighter pull weight. Sand that stock down and re finish . You can just oil it as I did mine or use a semi solid stain if some patch work needs to be covered up and varnished and polished out. I cut an inch off my 308 and added a simm's recoil pad many years ago for my girls.
This is a 1976 original stocked plus pad on my old 788 I refinished 17 years ago and it was all beat up from many rains storms over the decades. Sanded more than a bit wood off it.
This is a 1976 original stocked plus pad on my old 788 I refinished 17 years ago and it was all beat up from many rains storms over the decades. Sanded more than a bit wood off it.
slumlord44
Member
Great gun. My .222 Remington 788 was my first center fire rifle. I bought it for coyotes. 1" groups from a siting position and I am not the best shot in the world. I would take the advise striping and sanding the stock and refinishing and see how it turns out. Not rocket science. I like Tru Oil. 3 to 6 coats depending on how it turns out. The good thing about Tru Oil is that you can repair scratches and dings easily by just adding another coat. The only problem with the 788 is that they used to be cheap until the world found out how good they shoot.
sage5907
Member
A friend had a 788 in 243 and it was very accurate. Just for your information there is a 788 stock from a 243 on eBay that closes at 1 pm on Tuesday. It may be better than the one you have and is currently bidding at $51.
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