Remington 788 in .243 win.

M

MTBPA

New member
I've been thinking about getting an inexpensive truck/coyote gun that I can knock around and not worry about, and also practice amateur gunsmithing on. I've heard that the 788's are really accurate and I know where I can get one for around $250. Can someone please give me their opinion on the 788's suitability for my purposes?

Thanks,

Al
 
If you can get a 788 for 250, jump on it. they made the 243 in a short 18 inch and a 21 inch version. They are accurate and a good strong gun. I have 788's in .222 rem, .223, 22-250, 243, 6 mm, 7x57, and 2 in 308. all are sub MOA rifles. The only drawback to the 788 that I have found is that the triggers are not adjustable, but most are very acceptable in the poundage and have no creep.
 
I bought one a couple of years ago in 243, paid around 300 for it. Also had a 6mm I stupidly let go, and have a 222. In my opinion it makes a great truck gun, accurate, kinda don't look too bad when they get banged up, and the detachable magazine is perfect for a truck gun.
Barry
 
Just a question for 788 owners, how much do they weigh?

I bought a used 788 in 223 with a ramline stock and it's no lightweight. Don't know what it is exactly but I'd guess 8 to 9 pounds with scope and ammo. It is a shooter so I can put up with the extra poundage. Just wondered if your 788 is as heavy.
 
I shoot a 788 .243 caliber with Factory loads. I think, and it might just be me but, I think it "kicks" more than other .243's. Does anyone else think that.

My brother-in-law has a Remington rifle with a longer barrel and both of us don't think it kicks as hard.
 
All other factors being equal, a lighter weight rifle will "kick" harder than a heavier one. If you like the rifle otherwise, put a recoil pad on it.

Leon
 
Another thing you have to watch out for on some 788's is the extraction of the empty casing. My 223 kicks the casings almost straight up - causing me to have to turn the scope 180 degrees to avoid having the casings hit the scope knob. It shoots great though and if you don't mind having the scope turned you will be happy with the purchase.

--Not all 788's have a high launch angle of the casing--
 
Great little rifles. If you could get one for that price, go for it. Just don't ever lose the magezine; they are hard to find and spendy! 788's are nice shooters. I have access to a .223 and one in .30-30 and have shot both and they are both enjoyable to shoot. I'd like to have one of my own one day.
 
About a year ago, I picked up a 788 .243Win because the guy was going to let it go for cheap! I decided to take it despite its a RH rifle and I am a LH shooter (I already got a LH 788 .308). The buyer did warn me that it was a butt-ugly rifle...and it was a carbine and if I was going to get a small stature person shoot it...it would jump pretty bad etc. The buyer used this for Coyote hunting in Colorado.

I decided to take it, bec it had a cheap scope on it...not really cheap but an older Burris (you know those with the knobs forward of the middle of the tube?). I got the rifle, and it appears it IS BUTT-UGLY...the stock looks like someone attempted to sand it and I believe the guy told me he was a carpenter and he tried to sand it. Definitely has some flat spot on the stock etc and a poorly executed job but he abandoned the idea of finishing up the stock...and its looked like this ever since and is just sitting in my basement wanting to be at the range /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But I got it because of 788's inherent accuracy. With the 18" barrel I was able to shoot several groups of 0.5MOA or slightly larger. Definitely this is not what I perceived the rifle to be because it looked beated up...on the stock. All in all, its a nice little handy rifle and am not sure what I CAN use this for when all of my LH 270 and 30-06 will do the job. I have since acquired a LH .243 and .308.
Oh, yeah this one kicks more than my BDL .270 does. Oh, I should mention that the 0.5MOA I shot was with all of the Winchester 80PSP (Gray box)...nothing special with the ammo but this rifle will shoot. Haven't tried any of the 100PSP but I bought a box the other day to try it out...just for kicks.

So I have no doubt that they can shoot, have two of them and they both outshoot my out of the box Remingtons. So if you can land a 788 .243 in your hands for a mere $250, get it!
 
Well, mine is heavy, right on par with the weight of a M700 BDL...and mine has the 18" barrel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif But since it shoots great, I ain't complaining. This 788 is my second rifle with the detach mag (the other 788 was my first detach mag) and I like it because I often leave it close to the outside door when I am out visiting my parents and need to grab the rifle when I see something in the fields right outside the door...and mag can be left in my coat pocket while in the house.

Oh, I forgot to mention, occassionally when I rack another round in from the mag box, it seems the cartridge gets stuck for some reason...but this rarely is encountered.

Like panhed said, it looks good beatup and for the price I paid for it, I don't mind leaving it like it is. I had one guy come over and he said this would make a good club /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 


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