Story of a rifle

[olduser]

In 1982 I purchased a NIB Remington Model 788 chambered in 223 Remington. From the beginning the gun surprised me with its' accuracy. If I do my part the gun will give 1/2" to 3/4" 5 shot accuracy all day long. I did notice that starting with a clean cold bore it would take about 6 shots for the gun to settle down and start giving great groups. I gave this rifle the same care and cleaning that I give my other rifles.
Time passed and in 2020 I purchased a Teslong bore scope. I scoped all my rifles with no unusual findings until I got to the 788. The bore looks like a sewer pipe! If you look down the bore with a conventual bore light you would say the rifling looks good but with a bore scope the thing looks really bad. If someone offered me a gun with a bore like this I would turn it down and run. I was flabbergasted at the condition of the bore. I looks like some rifles that have been fired with corrosive ammo and not cleaned.
Remember that I purchased the rifle in 1982. The date code on the barrel is "Z" which shows a build date of 1975. Apparently this rifle sat in the factory packaging for 7 years! I believe this bore was not in pristine condition when I purchased it even though it was in factory packaging.
Every time I clean the gun I keep thinking I need a new barrel but every time I shoot the gun the groups say no.
Anybody have any experience like this?

[bamaranger]

Never owned a 788, but the reports of their inherent accuracy are pretty widespread. I've got a shooting pal who buys nearly every one he sees in the varmint calibers.

I have also heard of rough barrels needing a few shots to foul smooth, before shooting well, then shoot lights out. Best of luck with your 788, I'd think the .223 models would be the one you'd want.

[GeauxTide]

I've had one, in 308, since 1972. Hated the Birch stock, so replaced with plastic and still a 1/2" shooter.

[ammo.crafter]

They always made an accurate product.

After 60 years of woodchuck hunting w my model 600----222 Rem---it is still 1/2 MOA!

Good luck.

[olduser]

After some research I believe that 1975 was the year that the 223 chambering was introduced and not the only year it was produced. I have done some research and the markings on the left side of the barrel are "9 AB Z". I
believe the markings mean: 9= inspector, A= month (March), B= year (1981) and Z= assembly.
I believe some people are misreading the Z as the year (1975).
I do not think he gun was stored in factory packaging for 7 years. It was stored for 1 year.

[tangolima]

Bore scope is unhealthy for shooter's mind, so I stopped using mine long ago. I have also heard of .223's (not 5.56 NATO) reputation for accuracy. It has slower twist and requires lighter bullets.

6 fouling shots sounds right. Even 10 is not unheard of. That's why I don't clean the bore after each use, or I will go broke sooner. I only clean when I have to; accuracy degradation, long-term storage etc.

-TL

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[olduser]

Bore scopes have probably caused gun owners to purchase more bore cleaning products than anything in history. I was perfectly happy with my 788 until I saw the interior of the barrel. I guess the joke is on me.

[Doug Lee]

I've got a 788 in .222 cal. bought it in 1973
I'm happy with the way it shoots.
Yup, the proof is in the pudding!
If it shoots, don't touch it.
Doug Lee
*

[deadcoyote]

I acquired a 1947 Remington 521 junior targetmaster about 20 years ago from a friend who was demolishing a house and found it in a blanket on the concrete footing in the craw space under a house. Just to set your minds at ease we aren’t total dirtbags, he bought the house at auction when a man was put into an old folks home under conservatorship so we went and located the guy and he had no next of kin and was fine with it going to me. He said he shot competitive small bore for many years and there were a lot of burglaries in the late 70’s so he hid the rifle under his house and forgot about it.

Bottom line is the rifle had a lot of surface rust and pitting, after I cleaned it up I found it to be the best shooting .22 I’ve ever owned. To my surprise anytime I clean the bore it shoots poorly for about 15 shots then tightens back up to tiny groups. I considered replacing the barrel but really she just likes to run dirty, taught two kids to shoot with it. I still treasure it.

[JohnKSa]

I think the best use of bore scopes is to help diagnose existing problems. That is: "There is a problem with the way this gun is shooting and I've checked other likely problems--I guess it's time to scope the bore."

That's as opposed to going on a search for issues that aren't causing any problems. "This rifle shoots great, I have no issues with it. Let me scope the bore to see if I can find something to worry about."

[tangolima]

A lot of hyperventilation over "carbon ring", triggered by boroscope. Surprisingly almost none on this forum. It should be a tools for fixing problems. Unfortunately it has been used to look for problems. Understandable though. We always think our rifles should shoot better than what they already do.

-TL

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