788 in .308

R

Right to bear arms

New member
Here I go again. Wife is finally through with me. Stopped by my friendly pawn shop and bought another gun! Seriously, my last gun this year! For $349 I got a 95% Remington 788 in .308 with a USA Weaver 2.5x7 on top. Did I screw up guys?, or what? Couldn't afford a Remmmy 7 or a Ruger Scout so I got the original "cheapie " scout rifle. Please someone salve my conscience.
 
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Sounds like a screaming deal. 788s generally go for $350-$400, and the Weaver 2-7x is worth another $100 easy.
 
GET IT!!!!! I picked up one early last year. Paid more than I wanted but since you don't see these come up for sale often in .308 I just bit the bullet. Be sure to double check the safety on it. Mine was worn to the point that the safety wouldn't latch fully so I replaced it with a Timney setup. Highly recommend the Timney. Make sure the magazine isn't trying to split around the corners of mag. Mine did that and they are expensive!!! Luckily I had a .243 laying around.
 
Stock and metal are excellent. Original owner says less than 50 .308 rounds through it. Some light stock scuffs and minute rust flecks on barrel and scope. It's on layaway, so I'll have to wait a while to get my hands on it and give it cadillac treatment. I know don't "reef" the bolt handle and stick to factory loads.
 
Alot of those 788's can outshoot alot of model 700's. They weren't "supposed" to be better than their more expensive counterparts but in most cases they were. You got a bargain. If you still feel like you've been shafted Ill give you your money back!

I drooled over one in my local gun store awhile back that was chambered 6mm remington. Went back in the next week with intentions of trying to talk them down on it a little and it had already sold. For $475 :eek:

and it had no scope or rings
 
Seriously, my last gun this year!
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It's only January man, there's no way you'll make it the whole rest of the year without buying another one. Not unless you don't leave the house.

Stu
 
Alot of those 788's can outshoot alot of model 700's. They weren't "supposed" to be better than their more expensive counterparts but in most cases they were. You got a bargain. If you still feel like you've been shafted Ill give you your money back!
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I agree with what steveNChunter said above.
I can't ever recall shooting a 788 that did not shoot good tight groups, and I've test fired several.

I believe you got a good buy, you'll know more when you get to shoot it.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
Remington's first bolt action carbines were models 600 and 660. Next came the rear locking 788 which is coveted for its inhrerent accuracy. Lastly is their model 7 which is more elegant but no more accurate than its predecessors.

Jack
 
Remington should have resurrected the 788 instead of coming out with this new 783 that seems to be nothing more than a re-vamped Marlin X7. Not knocking the Marlins or the 783 but I bet a "new model 788" would sell like hotcakes. I know I would buy one :)
 
RTBA

You got a good deal. Blue Book 32nd Edition shows $375 for a 95% 788. I have one in .223 with a Weaver 2.5 X 7. It is very accurate - consistent MOA at 100 to 300 yards with military brass reloads. The 788 has an unusually fast lock time (sear release to firing pin impact). I believe this fact is largely responsible for the well-known accuracy of the 788. I also believe the barrel's relatively slow taper contributes to the accuracy of the 788. You got a good buy on your rifle and free good quality scope that is a perfect match for the rifle. :)
 
Yeh, Thanks for the reinforcement. My only recollection of the 788 was over 30 years ago in Mt. My nephew was hunting way up a mountain canyon with his new 788 in .308. With him were several hunters with bull tags. Four elk went racing up the opposite side of the mountain. I don't know what happened but I know there were 4 tagged bull elk on top of their suburban. After that there were hushed tones of respect for the "ugly" birch rifle!
 
GET IT!!!!! I picked up one early last year. Paid more than I wanted but since you don't see these come up for sale often in .308 I just bit the bullet. Be sure to double check the safety on it. Mine was worn to the point that the safety wouldn't latch fully so I replaced it with a Timney setup. Highly recommend the Timney. Make sure the magazine isn't trying to split around the corners of mag. Mine did that and they are expensive!!! Luckily I had a .243 laying around.
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Good advice on the safety. In my opinion, if they are all like mine, the safety is a real weak link on these rifles. It was dangerous when they were new as it is much too easy to brush off and when they get a little wear on them...they are even easier. Check it, be safe and enjoy it.
 
RTBA

I forgot to mention the birch stock. I shortened mine, fluted the comb above the grip, glass bedded the action and under the chamber, free floated the barrel, and put a Ruger recoil pad on it. Four bull elk on a suburban - WOW - quite a task to put 'em up there and quite a load for the top of the suburban. And four hunters taking four bulls is nice (and probably not very common today.)
 
JIMRO

I would guess there is more reloading data available for the .308 than for any other rifle cartridge and more used 788 rifles available in .308 than any other rifle cartridge. I suspect you could easily develop a .308 load that is comfortable, efficient and accurate for your wife, and that would be fine for any critter in the lower 48. Now - how do I convince my wife?
 
Jimro- Assuming your wife isnt planning on hunting anything bigger than deer, why not a 788 in .243 win? They should be plenty easy to find as well
 
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