Rem. 788 Advice

[fanuke]

A friend of mine has a Rem. 788 in .223 and he broke a piece off the nose of the bolt. As he described it, I think the piece that broke holds the extractor. Can a Sako-type extractor be fitted to this bolt? Can anyone recommend a source for a new bolt, and is there a gunsmith out there that specializes in the 788?

Thanks for your help.

Rich

 

[jthyttin]

I have a 788,actually that rifle belongs to my father so I don't shoot it very much). Without taking the bolt apart, it seems there's enough beef to install Sako type extractor. However, you should check,or have gunsmith check) how far the firing pin hole goes with the large diameter,before it gets small near bolt head).

In fact, my extractor broke also last fall. My friend made a new one, since parts avail is quite poor here in Finland. I hadn't previously understood how technically poor the Remington extractor is,been mostly using other brands).

 

[JayIdaho]

There is a source for new bolts but they are pretty spendy. As much as the rifle is worth, I think. I'd consider selling it to someone that really likes 788s and can swap bolts between rifles. Just a thought........
I've got several but all of them use .308 boltface.

 

[tmbryant]

I've installed Sako style extractors in 788's with broken extractors. They work very well and it is the safest Sako style extractor installation that you can have. Since the bolt raceway is round and the bolt body is round, the extractor is completely captured in the receiver so that it cannot go anywhere if a case is blown.