Rem 788

[Pablo5959]

Hello all
A while back I picked up a Rem 788 in .223 without any mags for as little as a song.
Well I found a .222 mag on flebay, (all the .223 mags must be in Billybob's safe because I can't find any). Took it to the range today.
The first shot punched a hole about 6" left.
Using just the bipod and a sand bag, set the rifle on bulls and adjusted the scope back to my first shot.
Then shot about 15 rounds.
I'm pretty happy with this for 50yds.
And this was the low budget rifle back in the day?
I guess I'll be ordering a new shell plate for the press.

[240volt]

The Rem 788 rifles were Remington's buget rifles , some people don't know this but they have been known to be very accurate, I have one in 308 it is very accurate I love it one of my favorite rifles in the safe .

[dfletcher]

A few years back Krausewerk in San Mateo had about 5 of them, old stock NIB with the "Big 5" sticker on them - $129.95 IIRC. I bought one in 222 Remington and a 7-08 carbine and put period correct glass on each. The 222 shoots everything very well. Not as accurate as an Anschutz or Cooper, but shoots everything accurately. My longstanding go to load is 19.8 of IMR 4198 and a 52 grain BTHP, works great.

Would like to find a 788 at a good price in 6mm, 30-30 or 44 Magnum.

[kf6ivi]

Well I must be BillyBob. I have three of the 223 mags in my safe.

I have the rem 788 in 223. Its one of my favorite rifles, ground squirrels fear it.

I have found mine does not like bullet weight over 62gn. I normally shoot 40gn Nosler lead free ( yep in the condor zone)

Ethan

[Ki6vsm]

A buddy of mine has one. In .223 Rem. Loves it.

[LynnJr]

I have several of them as well and they all shoot better than your average factory gun.
The 223 mags are running $60 a piece right now.

[Kokopelli]

The Rem 788 is a excellent rifle. Like the OP, anyone who owns one knows what I mean. I stupidly sold my first one in 308 Win. I had worked up a lot of loads for that 788 that were sub MOA in the completely stock rifle. Good thing I kept my load data....

...because I found another just like it.

[wsmc27]

OP, NICE! Enjoy!

...bought a new .223 788 back in the days when I think even maybe K-Mart sold rifles? Could that have been true?? CRS haha

Anyway, it's a keeper and our boy loves it.

[splithoof]

I have used three; a carbine in .308, another one in .308 with a 22" barrel, and another version in .22-250; for factory rifles, they are very accurate indeed. I would love to find a .223 version.

[Fjold]

I have a left handed 788 in 308 I bought in 1975 for $104.95 (There was a $5 premium for lefties). It probably has over 10,000 rounds through it and will still group the 165 grain Hornady BTSP bullets into less than an inch at 100 yards.

[Sutcliffe]

I don't like ugly guns

That little ugly thing would be an exception. I've heard nothing but praise for their accuracy.

[pacrat]

I would love to find a 788-.223. would be a nice fit with my other 3, .22-250,-.243,-and .308.

I bought the 22-250 and .308 at K-Mart for $74.95 each. The .243 was IIRC a couple bucks more $78, at Woolworths 5 and dime. Went in for a burger and coke. Came out with full belly and a rifle.

My 22-250 consistantly outshot the 700 BDL HB Varmint in 22-250 my BIL owned.

Original magazines for 788s now cost more than I paid for my rifles when new.

[Kokopelli]

Original magazines for 788s now cost more than I paid for my rifles when new.

That's true. If you can find them!

[Wrangler John]

788 Magazines are available here:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/1048480.htm#137090

These are reproduction magazines, a bit more pricy than the originals. I purchased a few for a project where I was gonna rebarrel my .223 Remington to .204 Ruger, but then decided to wait for other projects to be finished.

[ar15barrels]

788 Magazines are available here:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/1048480.htm#137090

These are reproduction magazines, a bit more pricy than the originals. I purchased a few for a project where I was gonna rebarrel my .223 Remington to .204 Ruger, but then decided to wait for other projects to be finished.

Since you have a few, can you measure what overall length cartridge they will accept?