Initial test Rem. 788/.223 Rem linked to the yet another barrel cleaning thread.

[RGRobinett]

I finally acquired some .223 dies - L.E. Wilson bushing type/FL and seater - and loaded ten rounds to sight-in and get a quick read on how the old rig would shoot - this pic has the pertinent info. My conclusion jumping points to the barrel wanting more powder, and that the rifle has the potential to deliver better precision yet. This charge was just pulled out of the Hodgdon DATA, as a safe beginning point.

The first two shots are the low left pair. The target is a taped-up 200 Yd. NBRSA Hunter/VfS from last tournament. This testing was at 100 Yd.

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The full test will be to see how well it will group, "as is", then, pillar-bed, followed by lapping for more than the current two-out-of-nine lugs contacting the abutments. Messing this old junk is entertaining. The link below relates to the barrel condition as purchased. RG​

< https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/yet-another-barrel-cleaning-thread.4107227/ >​

 

[RGRobinett]

This pic displays the results of increasing the powder charge-weight, until the group, "blew-up", then, backing up to where it, "wanted to shoot" (a little ). On bull #2 (highest 5-shots), at 31.0 Gr. CFE-223, the dispersion exploded into a pattern! Dropping back to 30.0 Gr., checking for repeatability (bull #2 - lowest 5), showed some promise. Again, this is a two hundred yard NBRSA score target, so the ring spacing is 1/2".

Since," more powder" didn't work, the next step was to change the seating-depth, which arbitrarily (based upon "sweet-spot" history with this bullet) was altered to about 0.010" of "jump". The resulting initial "jump" group (sighter bull) and the subsequent follow-up (#4 bull) suggest that this barrel is happier with a little run at the lands. Actually, considering the fully 5# trigger, and factory bedding, these results are not in the least disappointing . . . so, it's on to pillar-bedding and other tweaks.

Note the back-splashes - schrapnel - coming back through the target, from the bullets impacting the 45 Deg. angled 550 armor back-stop!! And, some pitting from the 6-shots on the sighter bull. The majority of the pitting is from .220 Swift AI, and .20BR. RG

 

[snert]

Entertaining to say the least

 

[AlNyhus]

Randy, that's a good depiction of how important seating depth is to accuracy. With some bedding it should settle down to an honest sub 1/2" shooter. There's lots of accuracy lurking in those factory guns from that era.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Tommie]

I’ve messed with lots of 788’s. Getting all 9 lugs to make contact is certainly possible but it’s likely that headspace will increase. Whether or not it’s necessary for maximum accuracy is debatable. The things that 788’s almost always respond to are
1) Replace the trigger spring with a lighter one. Easy.
2) Bed the action.
3) Float the barrel.
Any 788 that doesn’t shoot .5 MOA has something seriously wrong going on.

 

[BoydAllen]

Speaking of the trigger.....

Reworked a few Remington 788 & 580 series triggers over the weekend - Saubier.com

Reworked a few Remington 788 & 580 series triggers over the weekend Small Caliber Discussion Board

www.saubier.com

 

[BoydAllen]

Another option: https://timneytriggers.com/remington-788/
The lightest option for this trigger is listed at 1 1/2#.

 

[17VLD]

Entertaining to say the least

Entertaining indeed, also enlightening.I enjoy watching the metamorphosis of an older average shooting rifle into what will obviously become a great shooter.
Thanks for sharing Randy this is even better than watching an old hot rod or Jeep firing up again for the first time.

 

[RGRobinett]

Another option: https://timneytriggers.com/remington-788/
The lightest option for this trigger is listed at 1 1/2#.

Boyd, I'm not allowed to participate on that forum - gave up trying . . . they allow me to log-in, but then advise that I'm not approved - or something like that - to post. Reckon I'm not qualified.

A Timney trigger is headed my way - it should be workable for a fox/coyote shootin' rig . . .
Though, another powder may shoot markedly better (one of the most incomprehensible attributes of "tuning"), that option is being skipped until the pillar-bedding is completed. RG

 

[Tommie]

Randy,
The Timney 788 trigger is OK but I’ve modded a couple OEM 788 triggers and they turned out superior to the Timney. That said, buying a Timney is way less hassle.

 

[RGRobinett]

Tommie, roger that, I was looking at "converting" it to 700 type adjustments, and decided the drilling/taping/hunting down springs was more work than I need just now . . . RG

Addendum - the Timney 788 trigger is due to arrive sooner than expected, so, prior to installing pillars and bedding, I'll shoot a few 5-shot groups and determine if that makes ME better able to manage delivery.

 

[RGRobinett]

Received and installed the Timney trigger today: average for ten pulls 1#7.4 Oz - compared to the factory 5#, light enough to check for difference. Had time for only a single 5-shot group today - possibly, THE wallet group for this rifle! A little wood removal, and back into the factory "bedding" (45 In. Lb. front & rear) - this was a pleasing reduction from previous groups. That said, I'll shoot a couple more, to verify, then proceed with installing pillars and bedding.

If this proves repeatable, I'll have to confess that Remington was, "doing something right" when this rifle was made. Of course, in this abbreviated testing, only a single powder has been used - hell, H-322; BenchMark; etc., may well shoot even better. I merely wanted a base-line for comparing the "before & after" bedding. Regardless, of where it goes from here, it's obviously a useful varmint exterminator. RG
P.S. shot off Harris bi-pod & rear bunny ear bag.

 

[BoydAllen]

That receiver is a lot stiffer than a 700 and the lock time is faster.

 

[AlNyhus]

Very nice!

 

[Tommie]

Randy that’s not a fluke group. I’ll pretty much guarantee you can get that gun consistently shooting inside .25 MOA. And don’t be surprised if you see groups in the ones.

 

[RGRobinett]

Final verification groups: last one "blew-up" to a 5/8th in. deal - a nickle just covers it. Still, it appears that despite a rough fore-life, it's worth bedding and discovering if those "fliers" will learn to behave . . . at least, the initial 5-shot group wasn't THE bill-fold group. I'd say that the Timney trigger reduced the potential avarage group size by about a bullet diameter. For a guy accustomed to 1.5 ounce triggers, with 1# being as heavy as I like, the 1.5# Timney vs 5# factory, is like a paid vacation. The "central thickening" points toward more potential. So, it's off to a pal, for a proper pillaring, while yours truly concentrates on staying above ground and making bullets . . . RG

 

[Tommie]

I feel like a proud papa watching someone discover what their 788 is capable of. After the action is bedded, double check that the bolt handle isn’t touching the stock.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

My first rifle i ever reloaded for was a Rem 788 in 222 Rem!

Ive owned several 788s since that first one. Super Accurate Factory Rifles no doubt.