Remington 788 22-250

I wouldn't be reluctant about using regular stripper. It's the finishing that is critical. After fine sanding, you need to whisker the wood thoroughly with 0000 steel wool. I like Berchwood and Casy walnut stain, and there True Oil. The stain has a nice tint of red, and not all dark brown like many walnut stains are.
 
birch stain

I used dark walnut and tru oil. But I was looking for more of a dark wood that would be suitable for woods hunting. If you take your time, these birch stocks can look awesome.
 
Here are some photos of my 788 both before and after I refinished the stock. This was my first ever stock redo.

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Nice job on the stock work, the rifle looks 100% better. Just a suggestion, and if the rifle fits you leave it the way it is. I would remove the front sight and get some lower rings if it were my rifle. Should be just a couple of screws and put the sight in a plastic baggie and put it somewhere you won't loose it. To me just the way the scope sits on it now, that rifle would be almost impossible for me to shoot accurately without adding some kind of cheek rest to get my eye in alignment and maintain a good cheek weld.
 
As taylorce1 said, remove the rear sight. When you put it in a baggie, oil it. I have set these aside and came back and found rust on them because I didn't oil them. Yes, the rings need to be replaced.
 
Thanks for the suggestion about the sites. I will consider that. It does shoot pretty well with tight groups. I got to the range before I refinished the stock.
 
Well, since you have some .222 ammo now, it is a good time to point out that Remington also chambered the 788 in that caliber. I have both and think that the .222 is the more accurate, and also more pleasant to shoot, albeit not as powerful as the .22-250. Both guns benefited from glass bedding. There are probably not as many .222s on the market as .22-250s, but you can find one if you remain vigilant.
 
Remington 788/ 22.250

Two days ago I bought a 788 / 22.250 that I intend to use for coyotes. I paid $200 for It. It was really dirty and would fire when you slammed the bolt closed. It came with a Tasco 3-9 scope and A Harris 3 stage bypod. It cleaned up really good . I floated it and now it is at the Smiths for a new Timney trigger and replace a couple of screws that I didn't like The bluing is fine and the Birch is in real good condition so I have confidence that it will be a real good weapon when I am through with it.
 
I really like the plain jane looks of a 788. Sounds like a good find. After market triggers are the best in the long run for these antiquated rifles. My gunsmith took the creep out of mine and reduced the pull down to about 2.5 lbs, but if I had to do it again, I would replace the trigger group.
 
Interesting to me that some find it necessary to replace the trigger on their Model 788s. The one I had came with a very nice trigger and was plenty accurate. Some have criticized the Model 788 for having rear locking bolt lugs because this location can cause case stretching more/faster than more conventional front locking bolt-actions do. I didn't find it to be a big problem but case trimming did have to be performed more frequently in mine.

$250.00 is a super great price for a nice Model 788 in my neck of the woods!
 
I
nteresting to me that some find it necessary to replace the trigger on their Model 788
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I don't find it necessary to replace the trigger, but as nice and accurate as these rifles are, they are worth the investment. My trigger is great also, but finding a good gunsmith that would not be afraid to do a trigger job on it may be difficult.
 
If you like Timney triggers, they sell them for the 788 for $130. 30 some years ago, I put a trigger shoe on mine and I've lived with it since then. I'm thinking a Timney trigger might be in my future. My 788 has no creep....it's just a lot heavier than I prefer.
 
arizona98tj, that's a nice looking 788. Mine is the same only it has a prison stamp on it. I did a search and found a timney for about 80.00.
 
Thanks coyota1. Mine hasn't seen a lot of use these past years. I did drop a different scope on it and have started working up some loads for it. It seems to have a distinct taste for 40 gr V-Max bullets. :D

Cool that your was in the correctional system. Don't see that too often. Nice price on the Timney. The price I quoted was from the factory, which is about 4 miles down the street from where I live.
 
That prison was about a mile the way the crow flies from where I live. Back in the 70's it was St Augustine Seminary. They converted it into a minimum security prison, and everybody was outraged. "It went from heaven to hell". They thought they were gonna be hostages of escapees. When they closed the prison everybody complained about all the jobs leaving. I call the rifle a souvenir. That's the story behind the rifle. It's still a tackdriver!
 
I find the .22-250 to be overlooked by many shooters. Many opt for the .243, which i think is a mistake. You have a fine rifle there for a decent price, will take lots of varmint for sure. Or punch groups only as tight as you are capable of like any good rifle will do.
 
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