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Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: CoyotejunkiDoesn't the 788 have the lugs in the rear, unlike the 700's up front? I wonder if there is any galling on the lugs?
Yes.. it has a bunch of little lugs. The rear locking bolt is one of the reasons that the 788 is hard to load for - the bolt body compresses under pressure.
So case stretch is a beeetch, and it is also one of the reasons that bolt lift can be hard.... the bolt compresses, the case stretches, and then the bolt "un"compresses and pushes against the stretched case and wants to lock up the whole works.
Not what the 788 Cult members like to hear but it's reality.
Before the thundering herds descend, I currently own three 788's, and all are fine shooters, but the design does have its issues. In spite of popular internet jargon, Remington quit making the rifles in large part due to increased production costs and to some degree due to bolt handle issues resulting largely from hot hand loads and 2X4's.
Being "more accurate than the Model 700" was not an issue that caused the 788 to go away. Most were accurate, but the rifles were designed for factory loads and not hotter hand loads that a front locking bolt could handle without any issues. Even with factory ammo, some 788's had issues with .473" bolt face cartridges if shot a bunch. Bolt compression was a major issue, and its still something a hand loader needs to consider when he loads for a 788.
Yes.. it has a bunch of little lugs. The rear locking bolt is one of the reasons that the 788 is hard to load for - the bolt body compresses under pressure.
So case stretch is a beeetch, and it is also one of the reasons that bolt lift can be hard.... the bolt compresses, the case stretches, and then the bolt "un"compresses and pushes against the stretched case and wants to lock up the whole works.
Not what the 788 Cult members like to hear but it's reality.
Before the thundering herds descend, I currently own three 788's, and all are fine shooters, but the design does have its issues. In spite of popular internet jargon, Remington quit making the rifles in large part due to increased production costs and to some degree due to bolt handle issues resulting largely from hot hand loads and 2X4's.
Being "more accurate than the Model 700" was not an issue that caused the 788 to go away. Most were accurate, but the rifles were designed for factory loads and not hotter hand loads that a front locking bolt could handle without any issues. Even with factory ammo, some 788's had issues with .473" bolt face cartridges if shot a bunch. Bolt compression was a major issue, and its still something a hand loader needs to consider when he loads for a 788.
