rem 788, worth it?

[OldSchool]

Is the 788 a good base for building a really accurate varmint gun? I want to chamber it in 6mm AI but I have heard some say the bigger cartridges over stress the action since it is a rear lug design. Also is there more work involved in getting a 788 tuned as compared to a front lug like the 700, 722?

 

[flyingbair]

The Steyr SSG Rifles are rear locking lugs and are extremely strong and accurate.

Johnnig

 

[Shane]

The rem 788 can be made to shoot quiet well. True it, sleeve the bolt nose etc and you will get good accuracy.
But, you still have a rear locker with a poor trigger and a habbit of breaking bolt retainer pins and breaking off bolt handles. So sell it and move up to a 700 for all the advantages.
regards,
Shane

 

[oldelkhunter]

Remember also that the 788 trigger is not adjustable and is not
replaceable with a 700 trigger. Supposedly someone is making
an adjustable trigger for the 788. Once the bolt is out of
battery it is plain old sloppy in the receiver. I built a 6mmBR
on one that had been a 22-250. It works well and the 6mmBR feeds
very well from the 22-250 detachable magazines. I made a replacement bolt stop pin out of some very hard material and it
hasn't broken yet. I will not mess with a 788 again. Not worth
the hassle.

 

[jb1000br]

triggers ARE adjustable...had 2 at well under 3lbs...

Canjar made single set triggers...they are out there.

I WOULD NOT build too much off of one, but that is just me. Maybe a rebarrel for a field varmint rifle...

Mags are hard to find...especially 6mm,though a 243 mag can be midified to feed them)

Bolt handles are not attached real well.

YMMV,
JB

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

I have a first year issue 788 in the .222 Remington, and I have fired over 8,500 rounds through it with no breakage ever. Saying that, I always make sure that I keep shoulders bumped properly and never, ever, bang on the bolt handle, for obvious reasons. I have been fortunate to have a gunsmith that is not afraid to work on triggers, and he does miracles with the 788 trigger. He has mine set at a consistent 1 1/2 lb. pull! In case any of you would like to have this done to a 788, his name is Dave Schwarze, and I would be happy to give any of you his contact information. For a varmint rifle, I have been pleased with my 788, especially with the level of accuracy that it has always delivered! I like this rifle enough, that it will eventually be set up as a switch barrel rifle for the .222 Remington, .17 Remington, & the .20 Practical, with sporter weight barrels since this is considered as my "walking" varminter rifle.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[jb1000br]

Bob -- a good bud ran over 17,000 rds thru his early 222

Still shot .5" at 100 fairly regularly



JB