Author Topic: remington 788 good & bad (Read 2288 times)

killer · « **on:** October 10, 2005, 10:09:52 AM »

ok i just traded selmer, who seems like a great guy. for a remington 788 in 308 caliber. not knowing a whole lot about this gun, i would like to hear all of your good and bad stories about your 788. thanks denny

DES · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2005, 09:34:23 PM »

I had one for awhile in .243 Win, it was very accurate and never had any problems with it. The only thing I didn't care for was the clip sticking down below the stock, it seemed to be in the way while carrying it.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2005, 04:31:21 AM »

Yeah, the clip is about the only thing that I don't like about mine. The trigger is even pretty good for a factory rifle. Accuracy is fantastic.

HWD

Chuck White · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:03:28 AM »

PRO: Very accurate!

CON: Very heavy!

I've had 2 of them! One, a 223 Rem and the other, 7mm-08 Rem!
Both of the above applied to both of them!

They can't be beat for cost as a production rifle!
Right now, they are going for a little over twice what I paid for mine!
I bought both of mine new, the 223, $128.00 and the 7mm-08, $156.00!

Overall, they are a great rifle!

htrjv · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:59:08 AM »

The 788 was one of Remington's best products. Fast locktime, and low drop of stock made this model accurate and a joy to shoot. I had one of the original left handed .308. Sold it, and regretted it. Since then I've been fortunate to acquire one each in .308 and 6mm. Wished they made it (left handed model) in the other calibers. Enjoy your purchased. Best Wishes, Joe

Oldtimer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:23:48 AM »

I had a .22-250 and it was as accurate as you would wish, but the trigger was a bit heavy. I did not care for the magazine, either, but Remington would not have sold very many if they had supplied them with two-round magazines. One odd thing, the finish of mine would soften if I had insect repellent on my hands, which never happened with a model 700. A lot of target rifles were built on the 788 action, because of its stiffness. I was sorry to see it go.

killer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2005, 02:06:24 PM »

thanks for the info guys sounds like im going to enjoy this rifle.

jro45 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2005, 10:23:01 AM »

I had a 22-250 in model 788. It was a very accurate rifle. Then I was shooting it and a shell got stuck in the chamber and would not come out so I got a piece of a branch and started hitting the handle on my bolt. Well it opened but when it did the handle broke off of the bolt. So I called Remington and some lady said if I would send it back they would send me a new model 700 so I said ok. I then took it to a gunsmith I know and asked him to send it off. He called Remington and the next day told me Remington would charge me $300.00 for the model 700 so I said ok and thats how I got my model 700, 22-250

DavOh · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:20:21 AM »

My dad purchased his 788 in .308 win. way back in the early '70s. About 10 years ago, when I was 13 he bought a mdl 700 in .270 win. Gave the .308 to me. I wont let him have it back. :lol: He never got that .270 to shoot anywhear near as accurate as the 788 .308. My dad could drive tacks at 200 yds with it. Even myself, can produce 1.5" groups at 200 yds and just under 3" at 300 yards... with a relatively cheap simmons scope and 150 gr. soft core-lokt remington factory loads. It's old, battered and ugly, but its the sweetest firearm I've ever handled. Personally, I like the weight. It really tames out what little recoil the .308 has to begin with. I'll probably have the stock refinished this year, and get a Leupold to put on it. But otherwise, I wouldn't dare change a thing. Especially for whitetail hunting.

-D

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2005, 04:18:26 AM »

I owned ( wish I still had`them) a 22-250 and 6mm Remington. Ver, very accurate........but watch the bolt handle, I broke one off the 22-250 with a judo chop trying to eject a hot handload.

JCP · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2005, 01:38:09 PM »

I think the 788 is a great rifle, I've never owned one but a man I knew did . His was in 22-250 if my memory is correct. Unfortunatly he had a very bad accident with his. As it was told, he was using shotgun powder (don't know what kind ) and loading very hot. The bolt lugs sheared off and blew the bolt back through his right eye. It broke off the bolt handle as it entered his head. The bolt turned down and went underneath the brain cavity leaving about 1" of the bolt sticking out of his eye socket.
It took surgeons about 6 hours to remove the bolt. He survived the accident, but has recently passed on from natural causes.
I was told that Remington gave him 2 new highly engraved model 700,s.
I still like the 788, can't blame the gun for the stupid things that man does.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2005, 02:34:57 PM »

Oh my gawd....that's awful. Tragic what happened to the gentleman and tragic to know of his stupidity that nearly killed him

Selmer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2005, 07:32:08 AM »

Killer, since I had the rifle for about ten years, I know a little about it. It has a decent trigget, I've shot some amazing groups with it, but I wanted the .243, as you could tell since I think you got the better end of the trade!

(but the only good trade is when both people get what they want with no extra money, right?

) (my .243 788 is waiting for me, it's my mother's rifle, but she's decided that I'm loaning it to her until she's done hunting with it.) If you're a handloader, I could never find mild loads that it shot well, it likes lots of H380, as in max loads, the more H380, the more accurate it shoots. If you want my load info that is safe in that rifle, just let me know. It shoots 125 gr. Nosler BT, 150 gr. Nosler BT, 165 gr. Nosler BT, and 168 gr. Sierra MK bullets great, I never saw any need to try different bullets. Hope this helps, if you want any more info, just let me know.
Selmer
BTW, I'm enjoying working up loads for a new barrel, it's more finicky that mom's 788 in .243 though, I'll win in the end!

Slamfire · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2005, 04:55:00 PM »

Well I'd better tell you some of the bad, seems like you are only hearing the good.
The trigger is made of scintered metal, you can't stone it. The safety only locks the trigger and the bolt, NOT the firing pin.
The locking lugs are on the rear of the bolt and the bolt actually compresses when you shoot, so the brass grows a bit each time you reload it, eventually you'll need to full length resize and trim it. Additionally when you unlock the bolt it goes loose and binds when you are trying to reload rapidly.
The danged clips are expensive, especially in 6mm, you haven't seen sticker shock until you price one of those.
Now for one more good thing nobody else has mentioned. It has an inner collar like the Mauser, but without the extractor cut, so if a case splits in the chamber, very little gets out of the barrel, because the ejector pin is in a blind hole, and the firing pin is really small and positively sealed at the shooter's end. The ring around the bolt face can obturate and seal gas in the chamber, of course, you'll need another, but bolts are easier to get than faces.
All in all not a bad rifle, for the price.

robin-hood-90 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:12:24 AM »

My first deer-rifle was a 788 .308 carbine. If you missed with that gun it was your fault. I got heavy into bowhunting in the late 80s and sold it to buy a new bow. :cry: Man I miss that rifle. Now I have a .243 carbine and a 6mm and I'm in the market for another .308. The .243 is about a 1/2 to 3/4 MOA gun. The 6mm is unbelievably accurate. I installed lighter trigger springs and polished the sear and the triggers are'nt too bad. The only bad thing I've noticed about them is that the clip can rattle, not good in a hunting situation. I've heard all kinds of bad things said about the 788 but I love these guns. :grin:

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njanear · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2005, 10:53:04 AM »

The 788 is a great rifle/carbine. I have a .308 carbine from years ago and I wouldn't trade it for anything - it is the rifle I grab when I get a chance to go hunting.

For some more great info, check out this post here, from this same great forum:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=41243

Remfarmer · « **Reply #16 on:** November 25, 2005, 03:23:47 PM »

I am a big fan of the 788. I owned every caliber over the years except the 7/08. Sadly a divorce caused me to part with a few. I am now left with fond memories of them and have a beautiful walnut stocked 788 in .44mag. This cream will sting your sholder while making a ragged hole at 100 yards! I have never taken a deer with it for favoring a 7/08 or .280 in a 700 Rem. for that purpose but I'll bet it would put one down. I would like a spare mag if anyone has one?

killer · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2005, 06:18:42 AM »

the 788 shoots good i really like it. selmer i hope everything works out with the 243. and robin hood where did you get the wooden stock on the bottom rifle it looks great. thanks foe all the info guys denny

Idaho Elk Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2005, 07:56:44 AM »

I have 17 model 788's and they are all great shooters. One of the 6mm's is the most accurate rifle I own. The 30-30 will shoot ½ moa. This 6mm will shoot hole thru hole shot after shot. The triggers to me are a bit rough and the clips I dont like.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2005, 08:35:45 AM »

The Remington 788 was an attempt by Remington to make a low cost plain Jane rifle that would be affordable by the masses. It was then what Savage is now. It's biggest problem was it was really a better rifle than the more expensive model 700........Super accurate, and boasted the fastest lock time of any rifle produced at the time.........I really think they had to kill it as it was taking business away from the more expensive lines, thus competing againt themselves.........Kind of like early Ford Mustangs........

Again, like the Savage.....the rifle is just plain butt ugly.

Just for the record......I've owned both and believe the ugly Savage to be the best rifle on the market for the money.........

I've always regretted selling the .243 I had in a 788 and wish I had it back.

Remfarmer · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2005, 12:26:35 PM »

I have heard too often the 788 was more accurate then the 700 which ultimately caused its demise. I have to disagree. Remington like many american companies had to feel it was not cost effective to continue with a rifle so vastly different than their flagship 700. It would be cheaper to produce a lower budget 700 hence the Model 78. As accurate as the 788 were with their fast locktime they never were in the same class as the 700. I have fond memories of the 788 but have owned and shot both as well as loaded for both. The 700 is the true rifleman's rifle as far as production rifles go. The 788 shot well mainly because it had an excellent barrel and was fairly well assembled.
Those who now slam Remington for their offering or the lack of remember Remington is American made and stand behind our remaining American companies. I have never felt the same about Browning since I began seeing "Made in Japan" on their barrels not Winchester since FN took control of their assets.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #21 on:** December 06, 2005, 01:34:32 PM »

Quote from: Remfarmer

Those who now slam Remington for their offering or the lack of remember Remington is American made and stand behind our remaining American companies. I have never felt the same about Browning since I began seeing "Made in Japan" on their barrels not Winchester since FN took control of their assets.

We certainly agree on this.......Isn't a Savage and a Ruger made in America as well?

Remfarmer · « **Reply #22 on:** December 06, 2005, 01:40:47 PM »

Victorcharley...that bit about slamming American companies was not directed to you. Sorry,; and yes Ruger and Savage are proudly made in USA and God willing will be for a long long time. RF

Slamfire · « **Reply #23 on:** December 06, 2005, 07:23:06 PM »

It was an attempt by Remington to build both center fire rifles, and rimfires (580s)on the same machinery, the trouble was it took way to many operations to produce, hence a rifle that was more expensive to produce, but one that had to sell for a lower price than the 700. :-D In other words, the bean counters killed it.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2005, 12:10:54 PM »

Remfarmer.......I certainly didn't think there were anything directed at me.....but thanks for your concern. I appreciate your opinion, and agree that if a compatible american product is available and the company wants to do business the right way then why go oversea's? I would like Remington as well as the other manufactures to follow Savage's lead and improve trigger pull and enhance accuracy. Savage has momentum and I applaude them for there bold moves.......give the consumer what they want.......Seems product libility law suits have scared the others into substandard production which none of us like......the biggest complaint I read on these forums is with the "lawyer" triggers........

lester · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2006, 02:38:19 PM »

I bought a 788 in .308 when I was 15, brand new w/ a Tasco 4x scope, paid something like 179.99 for it. I'm 44 now and still carry that gun with me every deer season, same scope. Never needed anything else. Have refinished the stock twice, that's it. When I check out it goes to my son (16 years old now), I know he'll get a lot of good years out of it. I'll bet that in the 29 years I've owned it I've never adjusted the scope more than 2-3 clicks in any direction. Best shooting, carrying gun I've ever owned.

VolFan9183 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 18, 2006, 12:03:46 PM »

Ditto the good things that everyone else has said.

Mine is s .308 that my dad gave me as my first deer rifle 16 years ago, and I will never part with it. It won't win any beauty contests, but it works every time I pull the trigger and I know that bullet is going right where I'm aiming.

lgm270 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 25, 2006, 03:21:52 PM »

Check this link for an interesting read about the 788.

http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh/788.html

I suspect they are ok if not used too heavily.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2006, 03:28:44 PM »

I had on in .243 that was a tack driver. I'd like to have one in .30-30 and .44 magnum.

Author Topic: remington 788 good & bad (Read 2288 times)

Swampman