Rem 788 222

M

Matt21

New member
My friend gave me a Rem788 222 (wood stock, blued) after I helped him assemble his new ar lower, I figured it was just a gun to throw in the corner that was just a "thanks for the help" type thing. I keep seeing posts of people wanting them. Is there really a big market for them? It shoots great but I rarely use it since I have my Rem700 in 223 that I'm more comfortable with... Info appreciated.
 
Yea! they are Junk and I am sorry that have to deal with it! I could help you out and take it off your hand and Il even give ya $50 and pay shipping just to help you out. :)LOL

Just jokin with ya! you have a Gun that I wish I had,But I cant give you what they are worth or going for. Hang onto it and Enjoy!!!
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Is this more a of nostalgic type rifle that some of the older generation grew up with and now are searching for or just a good old great shooter that came and went in the year of 78-84??? not sure if my years are right...

I did use it rabbit/coyote hunting one trip and it did perform great... My biggest problem now is that I have other rifles for the same purpose, just lookin to find info about this. Appreciate the comment wallbass45, good to hear it actually has value and glad I did store it inside and not let it rust up out in the shop.

I'm assuming reloading is best for it as well cause I bought factory ammo and it was pretty spendy compared to 223 or is there a place to find it cheap online?
 
I've got two of them in.308 edition. From what i know, or have heard is they were Remington's econo model that actually shot very well. One flaw was that the bolt handles would break. Some feel it was phased out because it outshot the model 700. They do seem to have a distinct following. According to one gunsmith i talked to, said you couldn't do much customization to it, but i just don't think he was wanting the task. Reload for it, shoot it, and enjoy.
 
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I killed a bunch of coyotes and bobcats with a Remington 722 222 back in the 60's. Gotta be picky about what bullet you use but the 222 is an efficient killer as long as you keep it real.
 
To the right person, you could trade it for a new 700 even money. I also have a old 788 in 222, and it will never be sold. The only way you will have a bolt handle come off is, if you shoot hot reloads in it, enough to lock up the bolt from pressure, and then try to open it with a mallet. The safety has a slight issue, if you push it forward and hold pressure foreward, the rifle won't fire, untill you release the forward pressure while pulling the trigger. Some of the larger calibers had trouble with the rear lugs cracking and then headspace problems. The 222-223 size cases rarely give any trouble. Pushing the safety forward is how you release the bolt for cleaning. Enjoy!
 
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That Remington 788 will likely outshoot your 700. I have about 50 rifles, including an H&K PSG-1. My .222 788 is the most accurate rifle I own. It will shoot a one hole 4 shot group at 100 yards with Federal Premium 40 gr. Nosler ballistic tips. Not only would I never sell that rifle, I won't even take it on out of state hunting trips for fear that the airline may lose it. If the barrel hasn't been shot out or neglected, it's a keeper.

 
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+1 to all the above love mine picked it up used some years ago and about a year later sold the 22-250 it replaced in the varmint lineup. more accurate and cheaper to load for.

and yes and I am one of those old geezers that like old accurate guns.
 
I have had at least 3 ,788 s . 2 in 223 and 1 maybe 2 in 308 . The 3 of them I shot were all very accurate under 1"@100 yard rifles. The 1 I can't remember I traded right away on a 375 H+H that I considered the smallest rifle I would own at that time.
The last one that I had had been a Tlingit Indians, skiff gun that they used for seal and deer hunting. The stock had a half inch deep, 3" wide groove wore into the fore end from being kept under the gunwale brace in a Lund skiff. It would be jammed in place so the rifle wouldn't get loose and bounce around in the bottom of the boat while running in the chop.


. That rifle would shoot. 5/8" 5 shot groups at 200 yards with 55 gr fmjbt hand loads. With the scope set on 6x
 
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I did a dumb thing and sold that rifle and bought a model 700 that wouldn't come close to shooting as well and wouldn't feed worth spit. The 788 fed like a hungry sled dog.
 
I finally found the thread I had been looking for. Lots of good info.
Remington 788

To summarize:
1. Probably over 50% of the folks that posted there said that the 788 is the most accurate rifle they own.
2. Almost everyone says that the rifle isn't the least bit finicky about ammo.
 
I have several 788's and they will perform with or better than almost every rifle I have. They are a great old rifle as long as the extracter is good. I've been told that if the extracter is bad that you will now have a piece of decorative art!! I just helped a buddy get a brand new 222 or "triple deuce" as we call it. It is unfired with the tags still attatched. It also has a walnut stock. Another friend of mine had it on a shelf for many years and just wanted to get rid of it. They are great guns. You can't go wrong.
 
For those who have pm'd me and asked if I'd consider selling it and if I have pictures, at this time I'm not selling and have no pictures. either.

I'm currently performing powerline storm maintenance work in NY thanks to Sandy... Once I'm home I'll get pictures and entertain selling it possibly.

Thanks for all the interest and glad the thread took off like it did, great information,
Matt
 
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Although parts are rare to non-existent the 788 will serve you well. I bought a rifle in 223 and the extractor was broken. I had the smith put in a Sako extractor and the problem was solved.
 
I own 4 soon to be 5...best most accurate gun I've ever seen...I'm 30 been shooting one since I was 8 an have tried a lot of very nice popular rifles n sold them, none of them can compare on accuracy...might want to hold onto it n shoot it a lil more you might catch the "fever"
Kinda weird that an under $100 gun originally would have such a fan base so many years , even weirder that they were as accurate as they were

Oh yea I've never seen a bolt break on one
 
My 1st varmint rig was a rem. 788 in .222, cost me $76.89 at JC Pennys in 1974.
It was very accurate with my handloads, always worked and never had an issue with it. Wish I never sold it!
 
Shot my first deer with a 788 in 243 that I borrowed from my cousin, he finally traded it off for 400.00 this last year.

An older fellow our family hunted with shot many many many deer with his 788 in 222, im fairly certain it was the only centerfire rifle he owned, and yep he was dang good with it.

Enjoy your rifle!
 
Had a 788 in .222. With a Timney trigger, it would shoot tiny holes. Always thought the action was a little rough though compared to others.
 
I got a 788 in .22-250 for my son, quite a few moons ago. Very accurate. He broke the bolt handle (no not hot loads...just broke) one day. Brought it home and asked me to fix it. I welded it back up and cleaned up the threads.
it still shot like a house-a-fire. Not sure what he did with it. Probably still shooting.
Great rifle for the money.
I would very much like one in .222. The magazines are getting hard to find, and parts are scarce. But they are a nice rifle, although economy version.

re
 
I hear nothing but good things about the 788 and whenever I see one around one of the shops they usually want $450-500 so I say you did pretty good.
 


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