Re-barrel on a 788...other custom questions

[varmint308]

Guys,
I am getting ready to re-barrel my 788 in 22-250. The current barrel is losing accuracy and showing some pitting and other signs of age. I am wanting another 22-250 unless someone can convince me otherwise. I want medium to heavy barrel in matte stainless more than likely. I have never gotten any work done to any guns I have owned other than trigger jobs, so I am somewhat green.

What should I go with barrel wise?
What else should I get done to this rifle?
How much am I looking at spending?

Thanks for the help!!!

[zasxcd]

If you do decide to rebarrel this rifle, I strongly advise that you lap the locking lugs. It is not hard, takes about 15-30 minutes, and should produce a noticeable decrease in group size. The bad thing is that this will make the rifle have excess headspace, so it needs to be done in conjunction with a rebarreling job, not by itself. A lapping kit should be available inexpensively from Brownells, or ??, and can be used for many rifles.

A replacement trigger is something to consider, for bench-rest level accuracy.

What barrel you go with is going to depend on the contents of your wallet, and your desired level of accuracy. To start with, though (and this is not a recommendation, just a starting price range), a E.R. Shaw barrel in stainless is going to set you back (I think) about $250, and then the fitting will be on top of that. Prices go up from there.

I personally like E.R. Shaw barrels, and think that a 788 with a Shaw barrel should be more than adequate for varmint hunting, although perhaps not for competition. Good luck.

[Mikey]

Varmit308:  If you are going to keep that 788 in the 22-250 caliber you can send it to any barrel maker and they should install the barrel and assure proper headspace.  As zasxcd said it might cost you around $250.  You should be able to obtain any barrel contour you want but if you liked the barrel you had before you can get the same contour you would not have to open up the barrel channel on the stock to get everything to go back together. 

The 788s have 9 locking lugs on the bolt, or at least mine did.  You can lap them if you please or have the barrel maker do that - many also perform gunsmithing work like that.  This is something you can work out with the barrel maker but that will increase your cost but lapping the 9 lug bolt may not be all that productive.

Quality barrels often come hand lapped from the maker and may not need any further attention.

I would first check our sponsor list to see if there are any barrel makers listed who might perform this work for you and run what you want done past them.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Catfish]

I ave had several custom barrels, mostly Douglas, but some Hart and what I have had good luck with all. Like Mikey, I would have the smith lap the lugs. Also if you go with a barrel couture other than what you have now you will have to either open up your stock or buy a new one. $$$ I would also recommend that you have the action bedded into the stock. I also like tight necked chambers, but that mean I have to turn the necks on all new brass before I load it.

[Graybeard]

I believe GBO Sponsors Match Grade Machine and SSK Industries would be do the job for you should you wish to support the folks who support this site. I don't think we have any others at this time who do that work.

[beemanbeme]

I have had good luck with Douglas barrels but if I were you, I'd contact a local gun smith (and check his references) and see which barrels he likes to work with. Or you can give the two outfits that GB suggested a call and discuss cost and turn time with them. IMO, any reputable gun smith should be able to give you a reasonable estimate of cost and turn time for the job.
 If you've shot out the barrel on that 22-250 and the lugs aren't lapped, I doubt that they will ever be. 
I don't think there is a replacement trigger for the 788 on the market right now.  Timney threatened to make a run some years back and I ordered two.  I'm still waiting.  the stock trigger can be made adjustable by a smith that knows what he is doing.  It entails adding a set screw and changing out some springs. The smith that did mine don't smith no more. 

[Mikey]

Varmit308: When you order your new barrel you may wish to see what barrel lengths the barrel maker will provide.  I say this 'cause I remember when I first put my 788 together (got it in pieces) I thought the forestock looked too long for the rifle but since I couldn't afford and did not need a new barrel at the time, I 'reconfigured' the stock, which made mine into a nice handy woods rifle. 

I believe you can most likely get a new barrel that would be a couple of inches longer if you want.  You could still get it with the same contour you have now and not have to fiddle with the stock at all.  I just think you have a ton of options and hope I don't confuse ya.  Mikey.

[JimP.]

E R Shaw can match the Remington factory barrel contour so no change to the stock will be required, all you have to do is ask for it, Ramline makes a very nice synthetic stock for the 788 and i have one on my 788 243, this rifle shoots so well i dont want to change it but if i did i would make it a .308, but i wont cause wifey likes it just like it is...JimP.

[bubbaokie]

788 22-250 and used a Lilja barrel and it is now an 8 twist 22 Dasher. It shoots better than it ever did before.  The Dasher also feeds perfectly with the 22-250 clip, so no problem there either.