Scored another Rem 788

7

7887mm08

Member
Yup and i'm happier than $%#^. 308 carbine, mint and i mean mint condition.This will go good with my 22-250 & 7mm-08 in the same model. Both of those will shoot anything you feed them so i'm hoping the 308 will do the same. one of those
"Being in the right place at the right time" moments. 150 miles from home stopped at a little gun shop that i'd never been to and $380 later its mine.
 
I've owned a 788 in .222 since I was a kid.

All 788 owners need to be aware that in the larger calibers Remington had a problem with bolt compression. It has something to do with the rear lugs.

Not to rain on your parade, you just need to stay away from maximum loads with the old girl.
 
Well i've never heard of that issue. Ihave shot the hornady light magnums from day 1 since my 7mm-08 was a carbine and i wanted to try and keep the speed up close to normal. Ihave 42 boxes of those that i have shot. Maybe mine didn't have that problem. Thanks for the info though,I'll keep that in mind.
 
I am also not a "rain on your parade type, just for fun. BUT, there are some seriously held opinions about the 788 and there are some facts to back them up (in my opinion).

I liked the 788 I had in .222 but passed on anything based on the .308 case.

I recalled a long posting and repeat it here for your information... It is not mine but it is based on the same factors.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1926631/788_reviews

As with many, within limitations, it is a fun gun.
 
Excellant article thanks for the info. Alot of what was said can be the same for many other rifles. that being said,Ilove the 788's and i'll deal with any problebs that come about.Again thanks for the info
 
Everyone I've fired has been an accurate rifle, but I did see the bolt handle come off one once. They guy were shooting it so fast that the bolt was starting to stick so they ended up using a wooden hammer handle to open and close the bolt. They were abusing the rifle, so I didn't see it as much of a weakness, but that brazed on bolt handle didn't make it!
 
Wow good thing i didnt mention i have and like a tikka t-3 and i drive a chevy, LOL Hey i .learned something from this post. I agree with alot of the negatives i never said they were the best but i like them.I'll buy 1 in each caliber when i find the illusive "money tree" i've shot my 708 since 1984 and the 250 since 1994 with no problems. But i will make sure i shoot under max loads.To each their own. SHOOT STRAIGHT SHOOT OFTEN
 
788s are great rifles that have their quirks like any other. In the past 30years I've shot hundreds of rounds through 5 different 788s, 2-.308s, a .243, a 6mm,& a 22-250. Almost all were my reloads, and I've never broken off a bolt handle. Just remember,any thing can be broken if you try hard enough & A little common sense goes a long ways.
 
The article noted lists some typical internet myths re the 788, for example:

IMHO the best one are the .222's, because of the lower case pressure and smaller case head makes for less bolt thrust. A .222Rem 788 (well cared for) can be shot for a lifetime. The .243Win and .308Win versions can be problematic if consistantly loaded hot. The .223Rem's are okay but (IMHO) should not be used constantly with the hot 5.56mm NATO ammo. While a Remington 700 doesn't care, the hotter military loads in 5.56mm stress the action more.

The writer appears ignorant that use of 5.56 ammo in a .223 Remington is often an overload as the military cases are thicker, and create pressure problems.

So, how much does that poster really know from his own/others experience AND sound ballistic science?

Another: Bolt compression leads to case stretch and eventually excessive headspace, especially on the .473" head. Again, just a repeated myth as this "excessive headspace" was never a problem per Remington recalls (nor on MY .473 Rem.788 bolt heads).

Other falsehoods: High ejection angle interferes with scope knobs; The magazine tends to rattle, a problem for hunters. My cases eject fine with scopes, and my magazines don't rattle!

Not much meat on the barrel,actually, 788 barrels are typically almost a medium heavy sporter, and have plenty to set a barrel back when chamber is shot out... .

I have seen this post before...it is pretty much discredited, so I am glad to discredit it again!!!
 
Bolt compression with .473 sized case heads is measurable.

The reason I don't worry about that is because I use Lee Collet dies and just let my cases fit the chamber.

Nothing to worry about if you use neck dies.

Three 44s
 
Originally Posted By: BuckeyeSpecial [color:#FF0000]High ejection angle interferes with scope knobs;

I know for a fact that is TRUE with a 788 chambered in 22-250 (maybe other calibers also).
Easy fix for a smith worth his salt, but in stock form it is a problem.

Bolt handles broke off where silver soldered onto the bolt is also common with HOT loads.

It's a great rifle, but does have it's little quirks.
 
Three44s:

Enlighten me as to what tool(s) you use to measure and HOW you use it to measure "bolt compression".

Are you measuring changes in the case and terming that a bolt compression measurement?

Your associated comments re using collet dies implies the "problem" is really one of correct case sizing for the chamber and not a "bolt compression" issue as in your case it [the problem] went away with correct case sizing...a design flaw re bolt "compression" would not go away with a correction to case sizing.
 
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I have owned 3 model 788's, still own 2, a 222 and a 243. the other was a 6mm and I wish I had not traded it for a bull barrel 700. Never had any problem whatsoever with any of them, nothing. the 6mm is the rifle I learned to reload with, way back when I was a young pup. was my first real varmint rifle. You can believe it got fed plenty of really hot loads, this was in the early 1970's and my goal was as hot a load as I could get. It took everything I ever fed it. The two I stll have get shot alot, never any issue. Just my experience.
Barry
 
I currently have all calibers of the 788 with the exception of the .44. I can't bring myself to paying that much when the gun originally sold for less than 200.00. I still shoot them all with the exception of the 30-30. I also have all the .22 versions, 580, 581, 582. Nice collection of the 788 family. I have never had one issue with any of my 788's. I never load to max anyway so they have done me will for many years....

Bart
 


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