Rem 788 - 260 question

[Kylis-dad]

when I worked with my 788 (late seventies) I recut the threads and bored the receiver ring deeper so I could use a close fitting counterbore to control lateral deflection of the bolt head. I also installed agjustment screws and separated the sear spring from the trigger lever. I was able to set this trigger at ten ounces. I barreled this in 219 Wasp using 225 Winchester brass and it was a decent light varminter for the time. Later, I re-barrelled to 6PPC and it was even better. Always had a slight tendency to shoot vertical groups ( still 1/4 moa but vertical nonetheless) and shot better at 200 than at 100. Loaded hot, cases would stretch a bit.
Anyway, lateral stringing is often a scope problem but may also be an indicator of a bedding problem. WH

I found a PDF file of the original Article by Paul Dorsey explaining the trigger modification with a drawing of the screw hole locations. That is going to be my weekend project.. Thanks for the Info!!

 

[Ggmac]

Good luck and please keep me posted on the outcome .

 

[Tommie]

Every centerfire rifle I own happens to be a 788. This doesn't make me an expert but I have some experience.

That said, I'm not convinced that counterboring the barrel breech will improve accuracy. Several theories exist regarding the surprising accuracy of the 788. One thought on the subject is that the rear lug design allows the bolt face to "float". Similar results (but different approach) to the floating bolt face on Savage actions. Whether or not this theory holds water, the fact remains that 788's have earned a reputation of being unusually accurate. Trying to make a 788 into something else may work out well but I suspect there's a real possibility of losing the "mojo".

 

[Kylis-dad]

Good luck and please keep me posted on the outcome .

Hi Ggmac, I did the trigger modification Saturday afternoon. I was shocked at how much gunk and crap was inside the trigger. It was a pretty simple straightforward process I was able to do with just my drill press. I rounded up some springs before I left work and found one that worked pretty good. I smoothed and polished everything. Once I got it back together I was pleased at how much better the trigger was. It cut the pull in half.
I appreciate you bringing that up, I never knew you could do that.

While I was at it I looked everything else over. The trigger and was making contact with the stock. I got out the dremel tool and fixed that. I ordered new bases, rings and a Leupold VX3I CDS scope for it. Sized a bunch of brass to dump in the tumbler. Just need to round up some of the bullets mentioned here, and I think I'm ready to load up some test rounds and head back to the range.

Thanks so much for all the help!

 

[cowboybart]

Please post where you found the trigger mod PDF. I have a 788 with a 6.5 barrel waiting for me to chamber it in 260. Looks like I'll need to do the other mods too. I have never worked with a 788, but their reputation is a good one.

 

[Kylis-dad]

Please post where you found the trigger mod PDF. I have a 788 with a 6.5 barrel waiting for me to chamber it in 260. Looks like I'll need to do the other mods too. I have never worked with a 788, but their reputation is a good one.

Here you go Sir, If this doesn't get you there, PM me and I'll e-mail it to you..

http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/Rem788/Rem788_Trigger.pdf

 

[Ggmac]

It's also posted here on this forum under the rimfire section . The 580 ,540 series is the same . A diagram is posted it's post #5 under 541 question .