Rem 788 / 6mm and a medium/heavy varmint barrel question.

[Xerothermic]

This is probably a dumb question, but the action screws on my 788 are pretty short. The threaded portion. The barrel and stock (22"), is a skinny sporter and I was wondering if there is a "rule of thumb" when it comes to replacing the stock and barrel with a longer (26"-28") free-floated barrel in medium varmint/Palma.

Is there any concern about the action and stock being able to handle the additional 6" of free-floated barrel weight in light of the short-threaded action screws?

 

[AlNyhus]

The 788's front screw engagement is pretty short...the tenon threads actually have this area relieved to provide as much thread engagement as possible. On a 788 I pillar bedded recently, I was able to pick up a 1/2 thread of engagement by carefully using a modified bottoming tap and squaring the front of the action screw.....just make sure it doesn't bottom against the barrel tenon. Bad JuJu for accuracy and the bedding.

The rear screw is threaded 12-28 and has a lot of purchase in the female threaded standoff silver soldered on the rear tang.

On a 788 with a longer and heavier barrel, I'd actually do a stud/nut into a recessed pillar on the front with an ADL trigger guard.

For what it's worth. -Al

 

[NZ_Fclass]

They were often used as Palma rifles in NZ, often with sleeved actions.

 

[Will Henry]

I built a pretty decent LV rifle on 788; in around 1980. It was glue-in so the guard screws didn't matter. WH