New (to me) toy 788

[Bob_VT]

Just picked up an real nice 788 in .308   I have always wanted one of these for my collection and I finally got one.  Very clean, very simple with a trash 4X scope (which is scheduled to be replaced).

Anyone else still shooting these?  I know about all the downsides to the headspace changing and the barrel life is considered to be limited to 3500 rounds.  I can tell by reading on the net that the replacement clips are HARD to find.

It is ugly and deserves a nicer wood stock.... any ideas?  I am really not a fan of synthetics or the current pallet wood.

Thanks,
Bob

[lgm270]

A friend has one (.308, 18.5" barrel) that he loves.  He has several clips.  Ithink you can get them on EBAY.  They should not be a problem.  I've shot his. A great trigger pull and a well fitting stock.  A surprisingly good rig.  I"ve never been a fan of barrels under 22", but this little M788 was great.  I would enjoy hunting with it. It was fun to shoot.  The only problem is that it doesn't have sling swivels.

[George Foster]

Bob,

I have two 788's, one is a 6MM that I bought new in '76 and a 22-250 that was manufactured the first year of production and I bought it used.   The 22-250 has a factory walnut stock on it as they used the walnut stocks in the beginning.

I have found on these rifles all you have to do with the trigger is change the spring to a lighter one and you will have a trigger pull of 3lbs or less.  I also stoned the trigger on my 6mm to get rid of a little creep it had in it.

For replacement stocks you can get a walnut semi finished stock from a couple of different places.  I have Richards Micro Fit "Classic" stocks on my 6MM and also a 581 rimfire.

This site that Remington lists for parts for the 788 also has some wood stocks listed.  http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/