Remington 788 verses 700

[argrendel]

A friend of mine has a couple of each that went through a fire. He had them Rockwell tested, and ok. I’ve heard for years the 788 receiver is great to build off. This would be used informal target shooting and deer hunting. 6.5 creed in a heavy sportier or light varmint. Possibly also a 22-250 down the road.
So, is one better than the other?

Thanks,

Terry

 

[RPSGuns]

IMHO the 788 is a great action however, I feel the only drawback is having the locking lugs at the rear. If it was my choice, I'd build off the 700.

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

I’ve had both for many decades. I like my 788s and they are very accurate, but there is really no aftermarket for them. The biggest drawbackes - for me anyway - are the detachable magazines and the resulting stocke. The mags rattle and hang down below the stock. Because of this, the few stocks available don’t look/handle very well. I too would go for the M700.





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[Tommie]

Those 788’s are definitely useless. Have your friend send them to me for disposal. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I have a 788 in .222 and it is a shooter, great shooter. Would I rebuild it for some other cartridge and use? No. This one is tight and functions well but I think the 700 is better suited to an accurate build in many chamberings.
It is fitted with a solid magazine follower and is used single shot only.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I may be wrong....but I think that there are 2 models of 788, with different extractors. I shot one for a while that had the "wire" extractor and would only feed from the magazine. Some were converted into TR rifles in NZ and the extractor modified or a different type was used to be able to single feed and the action sleeved. The triggers were not great, but compared to the 303, which was pretty much the standard hunting rifle down here, these were a luxury item!

 

[LCazador]

The 788 was an inexpensive alternative to the 700. With that said, a 700 is miles ahead better for a build!

 

[357Mag]

A friend of mine has a couple of each that went through a fire. He had them Rockwell tested, and ok. I’ve heard for years the 788 receiver is great to build off. This would be used informal target shooting and deer hunting. 6.5 creed in a heavy sportier or light varmint. Possibly also a 22-250 down the road.
So, is one better than the other?

Thanks,

Terry

Argrendel -

Howdy !

The 788's trigger is another consideration, especially for target shooting.

Used to, one could use a trigger from a M-541. Nowadays, one can get an aftermarket trigger from Timney.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[argrendel]

Thanks all for the responses. Tommie, I’ll pass on that you would be willing to dispose of the 788s for him. I’m sure he will appreciate that!
looks to me like the majority feel the 700 would be a better receiver to star with. I’ll pass this on!

 

[Tommie]

I may be wrong....but I think that there are 2 models of 788, with different extractors. I shot one for a while that had the "wire" extractor and would only feed from the magazine. Some were converted into TR rifles in NZ and the extractor modified or a different type was used to be able to single feed and the action sleeved. The triggers were not great, but compared to the 303, which was pretty much the standard hunting rifle down here, these were a luxury item!

There were 3 action lengths and 2 bolt designs (for rimmed and rimless catridges)

 

[argrendel]

Thanks for the input. I’m thinking he is going to focus on the 700s for now. Seeing the receivers passed the Rockwell test, and steam caused the majority of the damage, maybe he should send one of his 788s for an inexpensive refinish, duracoat?
As soon as we could we stripped the rifles down and gave them an oil bath. For weeks! So rust shouldn’t be much of an issue.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Wish I had purchased a dozen 788's back in the 70's, a few different cartridges, I won't have needed to buy any rifles since.

 

[Fast14riot]

The 788 is an excellent rifle for silhouette because of a super short lock time. A nice mod is to have the rear blind nut on the tang removed and drill the tang for a 700 style rear action screw. Makes bedding them much easier.

 

[jdh47]

They were decent guns. It's a shame they quit making them. There aren't many aftermarket stocks and parts floating around though. The M700 is the most copied action on the planet. It's a shame they didn't do more with it. I'd like to see an m16 type extractor and side bolt release.

 

[Ray123]

A friend of mine has a couple of each that went through a fire. He had them Rockwell tested, and ok. I’ve heard for years the 788 receiver is great to build off. This would be used informal target shooting and deer hunting. 6.5 creed in a heavy sportier or light varmint. Possibly also a 22-250 down the road.
So, is one better than the other?

Thanks,

Terry

The Remington 700 because of all the aftermarket products available to you to customize the rifle to your taste.

 

[therifler]

i have a 788 in 308 . my go too gun when i'm serious about killing a whitetail
here in Pa . shoots great fits me perfect . yeah i'd build on the rem 700 .