wsryno
Member
Hey, I'm looking at a Remington 788 in .308, date code XC which I think is 1982. Gun appears overall in good condition but I have a few questions based on what I've read on this and other forums. I appreciate any advice or direction you can provide:
(1) I read somewhere to be wary if one set of the bolt lugs looks more worn than the other three. It appears that one set of the lugs has the edges chamfered, at least they look like they were machined at the factory and it doesn't appear that the chamfer is from wear. There doesn't appear to be excessive wear on the corners or edges of any of the lugs, including the ones that appear chamfered. So if you don't mind dragging your 788 out of your gun cabinet, is one set of the bolt lugs "chamfered"?
(2) The bolt is engraved with the last four digits of the serial number. Was this common? Was this done at the factory, or perhaps by a gunsmith who might have done some matching of the bolt to the chamber?
(3) Barrel appears in good condition, lands are clean, might be a very small bit of rust about 4-5 inches down from the muzzle. Muzzle is free of nicks and burrs so overall this appears good to me, what else might I look for?
(4) Bushnell 3-9 scope looks ok but is a bit tight to adjust power. Can this be loosened up to turn more easily?
(5) Can this gun be dry fired safely?
(6) The very tip of the trigger looks really really close to the trigger guard. Is this normal?
The bolt doesn't appear to be re-welded and the iron sights are in good shape. No external rust, needs a good clean-up and the stock would benefit from refinishing but that wouldn't even be necessary. Trigger guard has very little wear and no nicks or dings.
I think I can pick it up for $365 bottom end price. Too much? Good deal? What do you think? Thanks in advance.
(1) I read somewhere to be wary if one set of the bolt lugs looks more worn than the other three. It appears that one set of the lugs has the edges chamfered, at least they look like they were machined at the factory and it doesn't appear that the chamfer is from wear. There doesn't appear to be excessive wear on the corners or edges of any of the lugs, including the ones that appear chamfered. So if you don't mind dragging your 788 out of your gun cabinet, is one set of the bolt lugs "chamfered"?
(2) The bolt is engraved with the last four digits of the serial number. Was this common? Was this done at the factory, or perhaps by a gunsmith who might have done some matching of the bolt to the chamber?
(3) Barrel appears in good condition, lands are clean, might be a very small bit of rust about 4-5 inches down from the muzzle. Muzzle is free of nicks and burrs so overall this appears good to me, what else might I look for?
(4) Bushnell 3-9 scope looks ok but is a bit tight to adjust power. Can this be loosened up to turn more easily?
(5) Can this gun be dry fired safely?
(6) The very tip of the trigger looks really really close to the trigger guard. Is this normal?
The bolt doesn't appear to be re-welded and the iron sights are in good shape. No external rust, needs a good clean-up and the stock would benefit from refinishing but that wouldn't even be necessary. Trigger guard has very little wear and no nicks or dings.
I think I can pick it up for $365 bottom end price. Too much? Good deal? What do you think? Thanks in advance.