Remington 788 in 308 under $300. Buy?

[Tommie]

@msinc..... +1..... wouldn't even use one if given to me for free (seriously)

If that ever happens, just pass that nasty 788 in my direction.

 

[dmoran]

@Tommie
You've fallen victim of the confusion.... Was referring to 783's
Donovan

 

[joshb]

So Josh, did you ever go back and look at that gun? There is a lot of love here for the 788 but none for the 783. I shot the barrel out of a 788 22-250 back in the "day", but as I remember it, there was not that much love for that ugly old gun back then. Real gun guys had a 700 you know. Now everyone wishes they still had one.

As for the 783, I have never shot one, but what little I can find on them says they shoot very good for what they are. Got to love a cheap truck gun that shoots good. (like the 788)

Well, I just got back from going to look again. It was gone.

 

[nakneker]

788s are amazing little rifles. In the town I grew up in they were a favorite due to how cheap you could pick one up for, our little community was one of the poorer counties in Arizona. I had heard that Remington stopped making them when they realized how much it was costing to make them. I’ve owned several and they have all shot itty bitty groups. I also watched my brother in law shoot one in 22-250 with a reload his Dad put together, it was either the wrong powder or too much of the right powder but when the smoke cleared you could not move the bolt. He had to go home, heat it up and hammer it open. However the action held, it was a very Big Bang.

 

[LHSmith]

yeah, they were stamped sportsman--or sportster??

Sportsman 78 is what is stamped on the receiver. My son has one in 7/08 that was rebarreled.
Regarding the accuracy of the 788, Frank McKee used one (or several ?) to garner a lot of wins (and points) in IBS Score Hunter Class (6x) competition from the 80's thru 90's before Custom actions were permitted and killed that class.

 

[Tommie]

@Tommie
You've fallen victim of the confusion.... Was referring to 783's
Donovan

Guilty as charged.

 

[hoz53]

Well, I just got back from going to look again. It was gone.

now we'll never know-- better take the glasses next time

 

[okie]

Sportsman 78 is what is stamped on the receiver. My son has one in 7/08 that was rebarreled.
Regarding the accuracy of the 788, Frank McKee used one (or several ?) to garner a lot of wins (and points) in IBS Score Hunter Class (6x) competition from the 80's thru 90's before Custom actions were permitted and killed that class.

thats right, I have one locked up in a battery operated safe---that I cant get into---but thats another story, and proof that I am stupid to go along with it...

 

[pmg]

Okie funny you mention that, I went through the exact same thing the night before firearm deer season. I finally got it open early opening morning, now I have down pat.

 

[beemanjohn]

It is real easy to tell a 788 from a783. 783 will have a plastic stock and a mat finish. 788 will have a birch stock and a blue finish.

 

[joshb]

Well guys, it all came to a happy ending. Frustrated that I missed it, I stewed and reminded myself not to hesitate the next time. By luck, one popped up on the sale board and I pounced. 6mm Remington and it looks to be in good shape.

 

[eyer8]

Well guys, it all came to a happy ending. Frustrated that I missed it, I stewed and reminded myself not to hesitate the next time. By luck, one popped up on the sale board and I pounced. 6mm Remington and it looks to be in good shape.

Lucky! Looks like you walked away happy in the end, and you have every right to be. That's one good looking Remi!

...even if we will never know the true story of the mystery gun #TheTruthIsOutThere

 

[joshb]

Thanks. It seems true that " even a blind squirrel finds a nut, once in a while."

 

[Tommie]

I eyballed that 788 in the classifieds. Price was right for sure. Just couldn’t justify another 6mm 788. You did well.

 

[hoz53]

Thanks. It seems true that " even a blind squirrel finds a nut, once in a while."

well had you bought the one at the store you would have got a 783 so if you wanted a 788 its good you hesitated- dont kick yourself for that. It worked out well-- Looks like a nice rifle you got there. I to could just keep buying more and more but ive put a moritorium on rifle purchases until i get caught up with my rifle projects. That might be the rest of my days I gotta leave a few out there for other guys to get anyway

 

[snert]

Now you need to start looking for brass....

 

[joshb]

...and dies. At least I have the bullets and powder covered. I was looking at factory PPU ammo. This will be a "lightly shot" gun, so 3-4 boxes should do.

 

[hoz53]

...and dies. At least I have the bullets and powder covered. I was looking at factory PPU ammo. This will be a "lightly shot" gun, so 3-4 boxes should do.

6mm rem brass is becoming more available --the LSG guy just told me he can get it.

 

[snert]

I saw some Hornady??? (red shiny box) 6mm Rem for about $50 at a LGS. Don't recall if it was 50 or 100 brass. If you need it Josh I can grab it this week and send it to ya, at cost...no issue. I might be able to help ya with dies too...PM me.