788 in .308

Right to bear arms · January 26, 2013, 04:25 PM

Here I go again. Wife is finally through with me. Stopped by my friendly pawn shop and bought another gun! Seriously, my last gun this year! For $349 I got a 95% Remington 788 in .308 with a USA Weaver 2.5x7 on top. Did I screw up guys?, or what? Couldn't afford a Remmmy 7 or a Ruger Scout so I got the original "cheapie " scout rifle. Please someone salve my conscience.

Scorch · January 26, 2013, 04:41 PM

Sounds like a screaming deal. 788s generally go for $350-$400, and the Weaver 2-7x is worth another $100 easy.

mxsailor803 · January 26, 2013, 04:46 PM

GET IT!!!!! I picked up one early last year. Paid more than I wanted but since you don't see these come up for sale often in .308 I just bit the bullet. Be sure to double check the safety on it. Mine was worn to the point that the safety wouldn't latch fully so I replaced it with a Timney setup. Highly recommend the Timney. Make sure the magazine isn't trying to split around the corners of mag. Mine did that and they are expensive!!! Luckily I had a .243 laying around.

Right to bear arms · January 26, 2013, 05:07 PM

Stock and metal are excellent. Original owner says less than 50 .308 rounds through it. Some light stock scuffs and minute rust flecks on barrel and scope. It's on layaway, so I'll have to wait a while to get my hands on it and give it cadillac treatment. I know don't "reef" the bolt handle and stick to factory loads.

steveNChunter · January 26, 2013, 05:08 PM

Alot of those 788's can outshoot alot of model 700's. They weren't "supposed" to be better than their more expensive counterparts but in most cases they were. You got a bargain. If you still feel like you've been shafted Ill give you your money back!

I drooled over one in my local gun store awhile back that was chambered 6mm remington. Went back in the next week with intentions of trying to talk them down on it a little and it had already sold. For $475

and it had no scope or rings

stu925 · January 27, 2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Seriously, my last gun this year!

It's only January man, there's no way you'll make it the whole rest of the year without buying another one. Not unless you don't leave the house.

Stu

emcon5 · January 27, 2013, 11:54 AM

Wonderful little rifle.

Hunter Customs · January 27, 2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Alot of those 788's can outshoot alot of model 700's. They weren't "supposed" to be better than their more expensive counterparts but in most cases they were. You got a bargain. If you still feel like you've been shafted Ill give you your money back!

I agree with what steveNChunter said above.
I can't ever recall shooting a 788 that did not shoot good tight groups, and I've test fired several.

I believe you got a good buy, you'll know more when you get to shoot it.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Jack O'Conner · January 27, 2013, 02:23 PM

Remington's first bolt action carbines were models 600 and 660. Next came the rear locking 788 which is coveted for its inhrerent accuracy. Lastly is their model 7 which is more elegant but no more accurate than its predecessors.

Jack

steveNChunter · January 27, 2013, 07:40 PM

Remington should have resurrected the 788 instead of coming out with this new 783 that seems to be nothing more than a re-vamped Marlin X7. Not knocking the Marlins or the 783 but I bet a "new model 788" would sell like hotcakes. I know I would buy one

lefteye · January 27, 2013, 08:17 PM

RTBA

You got a good deal. Blue Book 32nd Edition shows $375 for a 95% 788. I have one in .223 with a Weaver 2.5 X 7. It is very accurate - consistent MOA at 100 to 300 yards with military brass reloads. The 788 has an unusually fast lock time (sear release to firing pin impact). I believe this fact is largely responsible for the well-known accuracy of the 788. I also believe the barrel's relatively slow taper contributes to the accuracy of the 788. You got a good buy on your rifle and free good quality scope that is a perfect match for the rifle.

Right to bear arms · January 27, 2013, 08:33 PM

Yeh, Thanks for the reinforcement. My only recollection of the 788 was over 30 years ago in Mt. My nephew was hunting way up a mountain canyon with his new 788 in .308. With him were several hunters with bull tags. Four elk went racing up the opposite side of the mountain. I don't know what happened but I know there were 4 tagged bull elk on top of their suburban. After that there were hushed tones of respect for the "ugly" birch rifle!

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 08:38 PM

Quote:

GET IT!!!!! I picked up one early last year. Paid more than I wanted but since you don't see these come up for sale often in .308 I just bit the bullet. Be sure to double check the safety on it. Mine was worn to the point that the safety wouldn't latch fully so I replaced it with a Timney setup. Highly recommend the Timney. Make sure the magazine isn't trying to split around the corners of mag. Mine did that and they are expensive!!! Luckily I had a .243 laying around.

Good advice on the safety. In my opinion, if they are all like mine, the safety is a real weak link on these rifles. It was dangerous when they were new as it is much too easy to brush off and when they get a little wear on them...they are even easier. Check it, be safe and enjoy it.

Jimro · January 27, 2013, 08:38 PM

I want a 788 in 30-30 Win for my wife. Light, accurate, modest recoil, perfect for her.

Jimro

lefteye · January 27, 2013, 08:50 PM

RTBA

I forgot to mention the birch stock. I shortened mine, fluted the comb above the grip, glass bedded the action and under the chamber, free floated the barrel, and put a Ruger recoil pad on it. Four bull elk on a suburban - WOW - quite a task to put 'em up there and quite a load for the top of the suburban. And four hunters taking four bulls is nice (and probably not very common today.)

lefteye · January 27, 2013, 09:00 PM

JIMRO

I would guess there is more reloading data available for the .308 than for any other rifle cartridge and more used 788 rifles available in .308 than any other rifle cartridge. I suspect you could easily develop a .308 load that is comfortable, efficient and accurate for your wife, and that would be fine for any critter in the lower 48. Now - how do I convince my wife?

steveNChunter · January 27, 2013, 09:12 PM

Jimro- Assuming your wife isnt planning on hunting anything bigger than deer, why not a 788 in .243 win? They should be plenty easy to find as well

GeauxTide · January 27, 2013, 10:02 PM

I've got a 308 and a 223. Extremely accurate rifles. The best 104.00 rifle (1972) I've ever owned.

January 26, 2013, 04:25 PM	#1
Right to bear arms Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2011 Location: LaFayette GA Posts: 197	788 in .308 Here I go again. Wife is finally through with me. Stopped by my friendly pawn shop and bought another gun! Seriously, my last gun this year! For $349 I got a 95% Remington 788 in .308 with a USA Weaver 2.5x7 on top. Did I screw up guys?, or what? Couldn't afford a Remmmy 7 or a Ruger Scout so I got the original "cheapie " scout rifle. Please someone salve my conscience. Last edited by Right to bear arms; January 26, 2013 at 07:52 PM.

January 26, 2013, 04:41 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Sounds like a screaming deal. 788s generally go for $350-$400, and the Weaver 2-7x is worth another $100 easy. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 26, 2013, 05:08 PM	#5
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Alot of those 788's can outshoot alot of model 700's. They weren't "supposed" to be better than their more expensive counterparts but in most cases they were. You got a bargain. If you still feel like you've been shafted Ill give you your money back! I drooled over one in my local gun store awhile back that was chambered 6mm remington. Went back in the next week with intentions of trying to talk them down on it a little and it had already sold. For $475 and it had no scope or rings __________________ DEO VINDICE

January 27, 2013, 02:23 PM	#9
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Remington's first bolt action carbines were models 600 and 660. Next came the rear locking 788 which is coveted for its inhrerent accuracy. Lastly is their model 7 which is more elegant but no more accurate than its predecessors. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

January 27, 2013, 07:40 PM	#10
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Remington should have resurrected the 788 instead of coming out with this new 783 that seems to be nothing more than a re-vamped Marlin X7. Not knocking the Marlins or the 783 but I bet a "new model 788" would sell like hotcakes. I know I would buy one __________________ DEO VINDICE

January 26, 2013, 04:46 PM	#3
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	GET IT!!!!! I picked up one early last year. Paid more than I wanted but since you don't see these come up for sale often in .308 I just bit the bullet. Be sure to double check the safety on it. Mine was worn to the point that the safety wouldn't latch fully so I replaced it with a Timney setup. Highly recommend the Timney. Make sure the magazine isn't trying to split around the corners of mag. Mine did that and they are expensive!!! Luckily I had a .243 laying around.

January 26, 2013, 05:07 PM	#4
Right to bear arms Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2011 Location: LaFayette GA Posts: 197	Stock and metal are excellent. Original owner says less than 50 .308 rounds through it. Some light stock scuffs and minute rust flecks on barrel and scope. It's on layaway, so I'll have to wait a while to get my hands on it and give it cadillac treatment. I know don't "reef" the bolt handle and stick to factory loads.

January 27, 2013, 11:54 AM	#7
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Wonderful little rifle.

January 27, 2013, 08:17 PM	#11
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	RTBA You got a good deal. Blue Book 32nd Edition shows $375 for a 95% 788. I have one in .223 with a Weaver 2.5 X 7. It is very accurate - consistent MOA at 100 to 300 yards with military brass reloads. The 788 has an unusually fast lock time (sear release to firing pin impact). I believe this fact is largely responsible for the well-known accuracy of the 788. I also believe the barrel's relatively slow taper contributes to the accuracy of the 788. You got a good buy on your rifle and free good quality scope that is a perfect match for the rifle. __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

January 27, 2013, 08:33 PM	#12
Right to bear arms Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2011 Location: LaFayette GA Posts: 197	Yeh, Thanks for the reinforcement. My only recollection of the 788 was over 30 years ago in Mt. My nephew was hunting way up a mountain canyon with his new 788 in .308. With him were several hunters with bull tags. Four elk went racing up the opposite side of the mountain. I don't know what happened but I know there were 4 tagged bull elk on top of their suburban. After that there were hushed tones of respect for the "ugly" birch rifle!

January 27, 2013, 08:38 PM	#14
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I want a 788 in 30-30 Win for my wife. Light, accurate, modest recoil, perfect for her. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

January 27, 2013, 08:50 PM	#15
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	RTBA I forgot to mention the birch stock. I shortened mine, fluted the comb above the grip, glass bedded the action and under the chamber, free floated the barrel, and put a Ruger recoil pad on it. Four bull elk on a suburban - WOW - quite a task to put 'em up there and quite a load for the top of the suburban. And four hunters taking four bulls is nice (and probably not very common today.) __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

January 27, 2013, 09:00 PM	#16
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	JIMRO I would guess there is more reloading data available for the .308 than for any other rifle cartridge and more used 788 rifles available in .308 than any other rifle cartridge. I suspect you could easily develop a .308 load that is comfortable, efficient and accurate for your wife, and that would be fine for any critter in the lower 48. Now - how do I convince my wife? __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

January 27, 2013, 09:12 PM	#17
steveNChunter Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2012 Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns Posts: 1,520	Jimro- Assuming your wife isnt planning on hunting anything bigger than deer, why not a 788 in .243 win? They should be plenty easy to find as well __________________ DEO VINDICE

January 27, 2013, 10:02 PM	#18
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I've got a 308 and a 223. Extremely accurate rifles. The best 104.00 rifle (1972) I've ever owned.