remington 788

looking for ideas on relatively inexpensive accurizing upgrades for remington model 788's. figure somebody out there has already done it all, explored it all, and has some tips to offer. i realize glass bedding and a match grade barrel would close the group, but not looking to go overboard. any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

jeff - talk to CB900F and TIKKABUCK. CB definitely has done a lot of work with his 788 (a 6mm rem), and if memory serves, TIKKA has one as well, or used to have one.

probably other guys here too, but those are the two that come to mind immediately.

 My first step with any bolt action that is problematic is to check bedding which isn't at all difficult to fix, get the crown recut which is pretty cheap and a trigger job. After that it's load development and if all that fails you either have to be satisfied or get a better barrel.

Jeff, There's been a lot written about the 788, though most of it is a bit dated as the rifle went out of production in 1982.  It's been a good gun, mine's a 7-08 carbine that put a nice doe in the freezer this afternoon at 175 yds.  Dressed out at 120 pounds.

If you Google the 788 you'll find most of it.  What's missing an article from 1969 I think from a fellow who made a match gun out of it by modifying the stock and building a 5 round magazine.  It's in my desk at work, so check back sometime later on Monday and I'll post the citation if you're interested.

I've had mine in two different stocks, both Ramline plastics.  One was glass bedded, the other just bolted in.  To tell the truth, they shot the same, 1.5" with any 140 grain factory load and <1" with my handload of 41 grains of WW748 underneath a 139 grain Hormady spire point.  Sighted in at 1.5" high at 100 yards puts me in an 8" circle from the muzzle to 150 yds.  I needed to aim about 2" high today for the 175 yd shot.

Triggers are a touchy subject.  The only aftermarket available is a Canjar which, while wonderful in the 700, was junk for the 788.  Even my gunsmith threw in the towel on it.  Timney threatened one that never materialized.  The standard trigger is not adjustable, however, there is a modification that can be done (also in that 1969 article) to make it so.  Your local 'smith might be able to clean it up and lighten it a bit without too much trouble.  Mine is a bit heavy at 5.5 pounds, but it breaks cleanly.  The draw to the 788 is the extremely fast lock time which helps with the accuracy.

Two things to watch out for: 1)  The bolt handle is brazed on and apparently cannot be repaired.  I've searched a number of times to have someone in the bag if I ever need it and have struck out; and, 2)  A rear lug gun has the potential for some bolt compression if your feeding yours a steady diet of heavy handloads.  Have the headspace checked regularly, meaning every year or two.  This is more important with the .243, 6mm, 7-08 and .308 flavors moreso than the .222, .223 and .22-250.

It's my go to gun, leaving a nice 308 and a 45-70 in the safe.

By the way, the guys over at snipercountry.com don't think a whole lot for the 788 so don't bother reading what's there.

Best, check back again on Monday.  788Fan

 

 

 

 

 

  Two ??? I only have two when I been in the shine but then I have two of eveything doesn't everybody when  their into the shine too.

Edited by Tikkabuck

I bought one about '68, I remember the price was the same as the model #, $78.80.
I have never done anything to mine but shoot it and clean it now and then.
Factory Win. 100gr loads do 1" at 100yd, Speer Spitzer 80gr handloads at 3100fps do 3/4" at 100yd and Nosler 55gr BTs at 3750fps do 1" at 100yds, in view of that , I cannot see any reason to change anything!

 Hey KP if you want there's 2 up at our pawn shop,one in .308 and one in .243 and he does ship. Let me know I'll see about them and ship you a picture if you like.

   I'll give him a call tomarrow and see what I can find out for ya.

Edited by Tikkabuck

Jeff, The article you should try to find is "The Many Faces of the 788 Remington" by D.L. Rowe.  It was in the November/December 1978 issue of Rifle magazine.  It goes into quite a bit of detail on modifying the trigger and stock for match use.

Also, if you can find George Stringer, he does trigger jobs on the 788.  I believe he posts here at times.

Again, good luck, 788

 

 

Another country heard from, and after I even tried to deal CB out of it. I could bite 16 penny nails in half (if I wasn't worried about my tooth bonding job). .....LOL  You guys are incourigable. Just mention a 788 and you guys start parading them about..............LOL, maybe I'll get CB's wrong hander on a Montana deer hunt........................Kingpin