New project coming soon

[Fast14riot]

The stock and associated bits showed up today!

First of all, all the mechanical parts are covered in dried grease, dirt, grime, and general "more lube makes it better" maintenance.

Going through the bits, I managed to get a generally good idea of how things go together. Thankfully, scope blocks have F--> and R--> scribed into them, and all associated set screws were present.

Here is pretty much the parts list and layout L-R



Terrible acrylic butt plate that had some sort of felt glued to it (this will be upgraded/replaced).

Extra long rear action screw.

QD flush cup for a sling (front is installed in stock)

Modified 788 factory trigger

Front action screw

Trigger link bar

Recoil lug

Forward trigger (appears to be a modified military trigger and housing)

Trigger guard (looks like a Rem 580)

Barrel blocks and scope rings (they use set screws to secure to barrel, and rings to the blocks)

The miscellaneous screws consist of one fine thread flat head machine screw, a few pan head wood screws and two small roll pins.

Now I need to get my 788 home and start test fitting after i get all the old grease (now varnish) cleaned off.

The stock is in good shape, shows signs of use and long term storage and being shuffled around, but the finish is decent and shiny still.

This is going to be a back burner project as i have two match rifles I need to finish the stocks for first. But, when I get burned out for the day, this will be a welcome change!

I will keep this thread updated over time as I go along and I will try to remember to take pictures as i go.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That looks like a 788 trigger guard to me

 

[Fast14riot]

That looks like a 788 trigger guard to me

Most likely, it's been more than a decade since I've played with a 788, and they're not stored at my place to even access right away.

 

[Fast14riot]

Here is a little better picture of the stock. Because of the design of this, the stock is rather thick through the wrist and butt, although it doesn't look bad or out of place to me as is. The stock is nicely made, too.

 

[hoz53]

Here is a little better picture of the stock. Because of the design of this, the stock is rather thick through the wrist and butt, although it doesn't look bad or out of place to me as is. The stock is nicely made, too.

View attachment 1186771 View attachment 1186773 View attachment 1186774

thanks for the top view on the stock-- i see how the scope blocks are inletted. Do they have a setscrew(s) to keep them kind of solid to the barrel?
edit-- oh now that ive looked close i see what looks like setscrews in the bottom of the blocks. That would be a cool, handy shortie rifle but I think id rather have that HK93 back I used to have

 

[Fast14riot]

thanks for the top view on the stock-- i see how the scope blocks are inletted. Do they have a setscrew(s) to keep them kind of solid to the barrel?
edit-- oh now that ive looked close i see what looks like setscrews in the bottom of the blocks. That would be a cool, handy shortie rifle but I think id rather have that HK93 back I used to have

Yes, larger set screws in the bottom of the blocks, they are also bored to diameters to match the barrel and lock up solid.

I just take a liking to the long forgotten oddities and sometimes less-than-practical applications in various forms.

 

[hoz53]

Yes, larger set screws in the bottom of the blocks, they are also bored to diameters to match the barrel and lock up solid.

I just take a liking to the long forgotten oddities and sometimes less-than-practical applications in various forms.

it would be cool to have and id sure like to see it when its done- i like odd stuff to

 

[Fast14riot]

Brought home the donor rifle today. Going to do some preliminary test fitting and categorizing issues into an action plan. I may take this Leupold 6-18 off and use something else for the bullpup as my primary objective with this entire project is to be able to keep the donor gun able to be returned to original configuration with no permanent mods.

 

[Fast14riot]

Here is the first test fitting. The bedding is very snug to this action, I'll likely open up the recoil lug bedding a little bit, I had to press the action down into it. Also, it appears this stock was for a 24" barreled action originally because its about 3/16" past the muzzle. Stock will be trimmed to be just behind it.

Overall length will be about 32"

 

[hoz53]

Here is the first test fitting. The bedding is very snug to this action, I'll likely open up the recoil lug bedding a little bit, I had to press the action down into it. Also, it appears this stock was for a 24" barreled action originally because its about 3/16" past the muzzle. Stock will be trimmed to be just behind it.

Overall length will be about 32"

View attachment 1187171 View attachment 1187172

That’s interesting— how long is the barrel on the 788 u just got? If it’s 22 then a 17” barreled model could be around 27” oal.

 

[Fast14riot]

That’s interesting— how long is the barrel on the 788 u just got? If it’s 22 then a 17” barreled model could be around 27” oal.

This one is 22-1/2

 

[Fast14riot]

Just thought I'd post a non-action update, lol! After a summer of match shooting, a fall of hunting out of state quickly followed by blowing out my knee and months of missed work, this project is still exactly where it stood back in July, hahaha!

It's still in my pile of rifle projects (4 rifles), however a serious knee injury when your work bench is two floors down kinda puts a damper on that. Now back to almost normal and needing surgery, I hope to have this finished in the next 12 months. Of course, I will update as work gets done.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Keep us posted and do what the doc says. Good luck.

 

[hoz53]

Just thought I'd post a non-action update, lol! After a summer of match shooting, a fall of hunting out of state quickly followed by blowing out my knee and months of missed work, this project is still exactly where it stood back in July, hahaha!

It's still in my pile of rifle projects (4 rifles), however a serious knee injury when your work bench is two floors down kinda puts a damper on that. Now back to almost normal and needing surgery, I hope to have this finished in the next 12 months. Of course, I will update as work gets done.

hope you come out ok. those projects will be there when youre healed up.

 

[Fast14riot]

Keep us posted and do what the doc says. Good luck.

hope you come out ok. those projects will be there when youre healed up.

Thanks guys, sadly this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to knee surgeries, just adding to the list. Should get me by for the next 20 years this time. Hoping my other knee holds out.

 

[hoz53]

Thanks guys, sadly this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to knee surgeries, just adding to the list. Should get me by for the next 20 years this time. Hoping my other knee holds out.

i got one that will prob need it one of these days- they tell me full knee replacement is only way to fix it. hasnt been bothering me much lately but i know ill have to pay the piper one of these days-- good thing sitting at the bench pulling the trigger isnt to strenuous

 

[Fast14riot]

i got one that will prob need it one of these days- they tell me full knee replacement is only way to fix it. hasnt been bothering me much lately but i know ill have to pay the piper one of these days-- good thing sitting at the bench pulling the trigger isnt to strenuous

Both my parents have had both knees replaced (seeing a theme here yet...thanks mom and dad) and truthfully, they both are much better off. My dad doesn't hurt anymore, my mother doesn't worry about them giving out. Its like all new suspension! I already know I will need it. Who knows, that will probably be procedures #10 & #11...

 

[hoz53]

Both my parents have had both knees replaced (seeing a theme here yet...thanks mom and dad) and truthfully, they both are much better off. My dad doesn't hurt anymore, my mother doesn't worry about them giving out. Its like all new suspension! I already know I will need it. Who knows, that will probably be procedures #10

My parents knees held up their whole life. My dad had incredibly strong bones his whole life. He never broke a bone i remember and in his last years he couldnt walk but he would slide out of bed to the floor alot trying to get up. It didnt help telling him not to do that. he never broke anything all the times he did it. my mom and dad did have alot of cardiac issues though and my mom died of one. Now the cardiac issues are starting with me. ive got an appointment with a cardiologist because of some issues now. i think id rather have the bone problems instead of the heart ones.

 

[Tommie]

Most likely, it's been more than a decade since I've played with a 788, and they're not stored at my place to even access right away.

788 and 540/580 trigger guards are one in the same.

 

[ridgeway]

I'll have to dig out an old gun digest I have from the late 80's 90's where a guy built a bullpup on a 788 with a electronic trigger I believe.