Remington 788 left bolt/ right eject advice.

[eyeshot]

I have spent my entire life, to date, shooting right-handed rifles. I'm going to buy myself a retirement plinker present in left-hand. The below 788 came up on Gunbroker and it caught my attention even though it's not quite what I am looking for (22-250 or .243) in a 300-600 yard recreational target rifle. But close enough. Left-hand bolt/ right-hand eject.

What questions should I ask of the owner about the bolt/action/stock conversion? It is a fair amount of money for a 788, opening bid, but I'm intrigued by the rear locking lugs. Any advice yea or nay would be appreciated.

"Up for Sale is an Awesome Remington Model 788 in 6MM Rem caliber, Left Handed which is even more Awesome because it is a left handed Bolt but the shells extract on the right side. Rifle Comes with the original manual sights and with added weaver scope bases mounted on receiver. NOTE: If you want to remove the original manual sights you will receive 3 plug screws (included). Rifle is like new doesn't seem that it was used, handled or fired much."

 

[LoonWulf]

Looks like that was an available configuration for the 788s.

quick research suggests they were only available in 6mm Remington and .308 Winchester.

If your so inclined, you could have another barrel fitted fairly economically in any standard short action chambering you like.

 

[DM~]

I've had a couple "almost" left hand 788's, I just hated the almost part!

I moved on to the LH Remington 700's because they ARE a LH rifle, not almost.

788's are a decent rifle, but I wouldn't pay a premium price to get one, for any reason...

DM

 

[jmr40]

That concept is intended for right handed shooters when shooting off a bench in competition. Not what you are really looking for.

If you've been shooting right handed bolt guns your entire life I see no reason to change now. It isn't that hard to do. My brother shoots lefty and tried left handed bolt guns, lever guns, pump guns and semi-autos looking for something that suited him. After years of trying he decided to just learn how to run a bolt gun from the wrong side. You couldn't give him a lefty bolt gun at this point.

 

[DM~]

That concept is intended for right handed shooters when shooting off a bench in competition. Not what you are really looking for.

If you've been shooting right handed bolt guns your entire life I see no reason to change now. It isn't that hard to do. My brother shoots lefty and tried left handed bolt guns, lever guns, pump guns and semi-autos looking for something that suited him. After years of trying he decided to just learn how to run a bolt gun from the wrong side. You couldn't give him a lefty bolt gun at this point.

NO, that concept was intended to save the mfg. money!! And it did!

As for "just learn to shoot RH bolts", I did for many years, but I wanted to get better than that, so I bought a LH 700 and shot the chit out of it, it was one of the best things I ever did!

It didn't take long for me to see an improvement in my game shooting, and I'm glad I took the time to get something that fit and worked for me, "properly"!

DM

 

[eyeshot]

Looks like that was an available configuration for the 788s.

quick research suggests they were only available in 6mm Remington and .308 Winchester.

If your so inclined, you could have another barrel fitted fairly economically in any standard short action chambering you like.

That answers my question if it is indeed factory. My face is still on the wrong side of the receiver but I will at least be able cycle the bolt without hitting my face with my farmer's hand. I was mostly concerned with the conversion but if factory it should have been done correctly.

Thank you, for your responses.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

That concept is intended for right handed shooters when shooting off a bench in competition. Not what you are really looking for.

I don't know if that was the intention of the manufacturer, but it would be wonderful for a righty shooting from the bench.


I shoot military bolt matches, and shoot right handed while operating the bolt with my left hand.
I would love a left bolt/ right eject.

 

[highlander 5]

Get a CZ 527 in 223 they make a left handed version left hand bolt and ejection. I'm in the same boat right handed left eye dominant. I can shoot right handed rifles but there's nothing like a rifle that's comfortable for the user. I have said rifle and I love it great trigger and is very accurate