remington 788

ptbrophy · March 13, 2009, 10:59 PM

I am looking for a reasonable priced .223,as I was just given two five gallon pails of ammo for one.
I have a lead on a remington 788,and after doing some research( very little) I have found both good and bad about this gun.Some find it very acurate for a entry level gun,and some have pointed out some issues with a weak bolt that at times will break of,and then some say that the parts for this gun have just about dried up.
I don't want to spend alot of money,for one of these new plastic type guns of todays market,but would rather have an older well made gun with a wood stock and fore end.
I want this for groundhog hunting.

Can anyone give me some good advice,and point me in the right direction.

Gbro · March 13, 2009, 11:16 PM

Is this 788 a bull barreled gun?
The 788 has a vulnerable extractor that shouldn't be hard to replace. I broke one in my daughters rifle and it was an easy fix.
The 788 has what is refered to as, very fast lock time. Over all a very nice rifle.
The stock might have been changed, as wood was the standard for them AFAIK.

Scorch · March 13, 2009, 11:49 PM

A Remington 788 is a good rifle, if it has been taken care of. There were issues with plastic parts cracking and falling off (magazine releases and safeties, in particular), and since they are rear locking 2-piece bolts, they do not like hot handloads. Besides, 788s are drawing a lot of collector interest lately and prices are outrageous. If it were me, I would look for a Remington 78 Sportsman in 223, it is a roughly-finished Rem 700 with a stained birchwood stock, but it will shoot just like any other 700, and cost a lot less.

Jim Watson · March 14, 2009, 07:48 AM

I have a .223 788 that is a good shooter. I know there is an Internet Hatchet Job about all the "weaknesses" of a $90 gun but if you don't overload it so you don't have to beat on the bolt handle, you won't break it.

So what kind of ammo were you given two pails of?

PetahW · March 14, 2009, 08:01 AM

The 788 was always noted as being a very accurate rifle - and I've never seen one that was issued with a bull-barrel or synthetic stock.

If you can get that .223 for a satisfactory price, I can see no reason not to do so.

Remington even made rimfires clones, in the day, that duplicated the look/style/feel of the centerfires.

dalegribble · March 14, 2009, 09:17 AM

I bought a remington 788 brand new in 7mm/08 many years ago. I've heard about people saying they have weak bolt handles that sometimes break off. I've never had a problem and i'm guessing if your looking at a gun with an intact bolt handle then that gun hasn't had a problem either. Actually, I've never seen a 788 with a broken bolt handle, they probably would'nt sell well

It is not the prettiest gun I own but it is a shooter. It shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yds all day long and I love to drag it out when ever a friend buys some new high dollar super shooter rifle and make a few side bets with him. The gun has easily paid for itself with these side bets.

If there is some weakness in the 788 I havn't seen it but I don't abuse my guns or subject them to torture tests. If a 788 can stand up to the 7mm/08 caliber I'm sure the .223 will be no problem at all.

ptbrophy · March 14, 2009, 10:39 AM

To answer a few questions,I missed a gun on gunbroker.com last week due to a 1 hour time frame because I forgot about the time change.
I contacted the seller to see if the gun had sold,or if not,would he be relisting it.
It was sold,but he informed me that he had a 788 remington for sale in his shop along with several other .223's.He wanted $450.00 for the gun.
I was attempting to gather some information to see what the gun was worth and found both good and bad about the gun.
I came here for some facts,as you guys know what you are talking about,and I can gain a little knowledge along the way.
I do not know what kind of barrel it has,and I was not aware that it might have a bull barrel.
I did not say it had a synthetic stock,I said I did not want one.
The ammo is Federal Premium 77gr Gold Metal Match,and several other mixed in as well.55,69,and 70 gr in several other brands ,but the bulk of it is the 77 federal.

Jim Watson · March 14, 2009, 11:01 AM

MY 788 .223 has a 12" twist barrel and will handle 60 grain flatbase bullets but I doubt it would stabilize the 77 grain boattails in your pails.
I doubt the one you are looking at is much different, the 788 was out of production by the time the Army and target shooters were fooling with heavy bullets.

PetahW · March 14, 2009, 11:33 AM

Reasonable .22 cal heavy bullet accuracy = 1:9" twist, IIRC - but I'm not sure, since the only .22 centerfire I shoot is a CZ Hornet.

Pasqualy · May 31, 2009, 10:05 AM

I have a 788 bull barrel. It has a very strong breach. My 788 is a 22.250. I worked up some loads from heavy to light to find the best for accuracy. I found the heavy load locked up the breach and wasn't able to eject the shell. I waited a few minutes and the gas escaped, then I was able to eject the shell. You just have to give it time to release the gas. Don't beat on the knob. That would break anything. It's not pretty (wooden stock) but for a varmint gun, you can't beat it for accuracy. I have been thinking since I'm getting old now (74) I'm not doing any hunting so I would sell it. I was surprised to hear that it is selling for over $400. It is near mint with no loss of bluing and no scratches on the stock.

DG45 · June 3, 2009, 08:43 PM

About 7 or 8 years ago, my son inheirited a very nice scoped Remington Model 788 in 243 Win. caliber from a relative. He had some problems with the bolt action and we discovered somebody had put a 6mm Bolt in it. Luckily he was given a "spare" bolt with the gun which turned out to be the correct 243 bolt. No problems ever again. It's a nice, inexpensive, but not cheaply made bolt gun. it just doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. It's main claim to fame is it's accuracy. I recommend getting one in a.243 Winchester caliber for versatility though; It's a great long range target gun; and by varying your ammo you can hunt white-tails down to varmits. (Use 100 grain bullets for white-tails; lighter bullets for varmits.) My sons 788 dates to the mid 60's (I think). It has a very decent-looking finished wood stock. I'm not sure what wood it is, but it looks like pretty good wood. I've though about buying a 788 myself. In .243 Win though.

Indian788 · November 7, 2009, 03:39 AM

I've been thinking about doing up a 788 target rifle. I have a left hand .308...new ,never fired and also have a semi inletted Fajen varmint stock in black/grey laminate. I bought the rifle for the action and bought the stock from the Fajen custom shop just before the closure of their operation. I was hoping to build a varmint/tactical rifle from this combo but have been stalled by a sudden economic downfall and I am looking to pass along this project. The rifle has never been fired. The stock has a high MonteCarlo rollover and palm swell and the forend was done without the 'Buick slots'. Anyone out there interested?
Regards,
Ron

March 13, 2009, 10:59 PM	#1
ptbrophy Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 19	remington 788 I am looking for a reasonable priced .223,as I was just given two five gallon pails of ammo for one. I have a lead on a remington 788,and after doing some research( very little) I have found both good and bad about this gun.Some find it very acurate for a entry level gun,and some have pointed out some issues with a weak bolt that at times will break of,and then some say that the parts for this gun have just about dried up. I don't want to spend alot of money,for one of these new plastic type guns of todays market,but would rather have an older well made gun with a wood stock and fore end. I want this for groundhog hunting. Can anyone give me some good advice,and point me in the right direction.

March 13, 2009, 11:16 PM	#2
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,181	Is this 788 a bull barreled gun? The 788 has a vulnerable extractor that shouldn't be hard to replace. I broke one in my daughters rifle and it was an easy fix. The 788 has what is refered to as, very fast lock time. Over all a very nice rifle. The stock might have been changed, as wood was the standard for them AFAIK. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

March 13, 2009, 11:49 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 6,239	A Remington 788 is a good rifle, if it has been taken care of. There were issues with plastic parts cracking and falling off (magazine releases and safeties, in particular), and since they are rear locking 2-piece bolts, they do not like hot handloads. Besides, 788s are drawing a lot of collector interest lately and prices are outrageous. If it were me, I would look for a Remington 78 Sportsman in 223, it is a roughly-finished Rem 700 with a stained birchwood stock, but it will shoot just like any other 700, and cost a lot less. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. http://www.johntaylormachine.com/ http://yourhealthshows.com

March 14, 2009, 09:17 AM	#6
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 281	I bought a remington 788 brand new in 7mm/08 many years ago. I've heard about people saying they have weak bolt handles that sometimes break off. I've never had a problem and i'm guessing if your looking at a gun with an intact bolt handle then that gun hasn't had a problem either. Actually, I've never seen a 788 with a broken bolt handle, they probably would'nt sell well It is not the prettiest gun I own but it is a shooter. It shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yds all day long and I love to drag it out when ever a friend buys some new high dollar super shooter rifle and make a few side bets with him. The gun has easily paid for itself with these side bets. If there is some weakness in the 788 I havn't seen it but I don't abuse my guns or subject them to torture tests. If a 788 can stand up to the 7mm/08 caliber I'm sure the .223 will be no problem at all. __________________ Confusion to all enemies!

March 14, 2009, 10:39 AM	#7
ptbrophy Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 19	To answer a few questions,I missed a gun on gunbroker.com last week due to a 1 hour time frame because I forgot about the time change. I contacted the seller to see if the gun had sold,or if not,would he be relisting it. It was sold,but he informed me that he had a 788 remington for sale in his shop along with several other .223's.He wanted $450.00 for the gun. I was attempting to gather some information to see what the gun was worth and found both good and bad about the gun. I came here for some facts,as you guys know what you are talking about,and I can gain a little knowledge along the way. I do not know what kind of barrel it has,and I was not aware that it might have a bull barrel. I did not say it had a synthetic stock,I said I did not want one. The ammo is Federal Premium 77gr Gold Metal Match,and several other mixed in as well.55,69,and 70 gr in several other brands ,but the bulk of it is the 77 federal. Last edited by ptbrophy; March 14, 2009 at 10:42 AM. Reason: more info

March 14, 2009, 07:48 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,217	I have a .223 788 that is a good shooter. I know there is an Internet Hatchet Job about all the "weaknesses" of a $90 gun but if you don't overload it so you don't have to beat on the bolt handle, you won't break it. So what kind of ammo were you given two pails of?

March 14, 2009, 08:01 AM	#5
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 666	The 788 was always noted as being a very accurate rifle - and I've never seen one that was issued with a bull-barrel or synthetic stock. If you can get that .223 for a satisfactory price, I can see no reason not to do so. Remington even made rimfires clones, in the day, that duplicated the look/style/feel of the centerfires.

March 14, 2009, 11:01 AM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,217	MY 788 .223 has a 12" twist barrel and will handle 60 grain flatbase bullets but I doubt it would stabilize the 77 grain boattails in your pails. I doubt the one you are looking at is much different, the 788 was out of production by the time the Army and target shooters were fooling with heavy bullets.

March 14, 2009, 11:33 AM	#9
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 666	Reasonable .22 cal heavy bullet accuracy = 1:9" twist, IIRC - but I'm not sure, since the only .22 centerfire I shoot is a CZ Hornet.

May 31, 2009, 10:05 AM	#10
Pasqualy Junior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Posts: 1	remington 788 bull barrel I have a 788 bull barrel. It has a very strong breach. My 788 is a 22.250. I worked up some loads from heavy to light to find the best for accuracy. I found the heavy load locked up the breach and wasn't able to eject the shell. I waited a few minutes and the gas escaped, then I was able to eject the shell. You just have to give it time to release the gas. Don't beat on the knob. That would break anything. It's not pretty (wooden stock) but for a varmint gun, you can't beat it for accuracy. I have been thinking since I'm getting old now (74) I'm not doing any hunting so I would sell it. I was surprised to hear that it is selling for over $400. It is near mint with no loss of bluing and no scratches on the stock.

June 3, 2009, 08:43 PM	#11
DG45 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 302	About 7 or 8 years ago, my son inheirited a very nice scoped Remington Model 788 in 243 Win. caliber from a relative. He had some problems with the bolt action and we discovered somebody had put a 6mm Bolt in it. Luckily he was given a "spare" bolt with the gun which turned out to be the correct 243 bolt. No problems ever again. It's a nice, inexpensive, but not cheaply made bolt gun. it just doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. It's main claim to fame is it's accuracy. I recommend getting one in a.243 Winchester caliber for versatility though; It's a great long range target gun; and by varying your ammo you can hunt white-tails down to varmits. (Use 100 grain bullets for white-tails; lighter bullets for varmits.) My sons 788 dates to the mid 60's (I think). It has a very decent-looking finished wood stock. I'm not sure what wood it is, but it looks like pretty good wood. I've though about buying a 788 myself. In .243 Win though.

November 7, 2009, 03:39 AM	#12
Indian788 Junior Member Join Date: November 7, 2009 Posts: 1	I've been thinking about doing up a 788 target rifle. I have a left hand .308...new ,never fired and also have a semi inletted Fajen varmint stock in black/grey laminate. I bought the rifle for the action and bought the stock from the Fajen custom shop just before the closure of their operation. I was hoping to build a varmint/tactical rifle from this combo but have been stalled by a sudden economic downfall and I am looking to pass along this project. The rifle has never been fired. The stock has a high MonteCarlo rollover and palm swell and the forend was done without the 'Buick slots'. Anyone out there interested? Regards, Ron Last edited by Indian788; November 10, 2009 at 01:35 AM.