What to do with 788

[Blcktaildreamer]

Hey guys my first gun was a Remington 788 carbine in .243. My grandfather got it for me when I was 10 so I will never get rid of it I just never shoot the thing so I'm looking for ideas of what to do with it I was thinking a new 24" stainless barrel I have a timney trigger for it. Maybe jewel the bolt. I just can't decide on a stock or what to chamber it in. What would you do if it was your 788


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[Special T]

Id not touch it... except to take it out to blood it with a coyote or deer for old times sake... perhaps lighten the trigger a little but all factory.

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[Ricochet]

Have a soft spot for the 788 myself.  When I was a sophomore in high school my folks gave me money to buy a class ring.  Went down to Bi-Mart and bought a 788 in 6mm. instead.  Never regretted that decision. 

[Bill W]

At one time I had three.  Two .308's and one .222.  Now, only the .222 remains.   All were good groupers.

[Squidward]

Gotta love the 788, I killed my 1st few deer with a 788, 22-250 here in WA when it was still legal to do so. Squidward

[Blcktaildreamer]

I was thinking of going with a .22-250. Could a guy just change out the 243 mag for a .22-250 mag ?


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[6.8mmARHunter]

Am I missing something?

A .243 barrel in not appropriate for shooting a .22-250!. You'd have to use the .22-250 mags (not sure of the configuration), but more importantly, you'd need a .22-250 vs. .243 barrel.

[jackelope]

The mags are probably the same as they're the same parent case. The important thing you'd have to change is the barrel.

[dontgetcrabs]

The mags are probably the same as they're the same parent case. The important thing you'd have to change is the barrel.

22-250 and 243 do not share the same case, however they are really close and the 243 mag may work with 22-250.

[mountainman]

The mags are probably the same as they're the same parent case. The important thing you'd have to change is the barrel.

Not the same parent case. 22-250 is off the 250 Savage case, Not the 308 win, as is the 243.

[jackelope]

 My bad.

[jackelope]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

[Blcktaildreamer]

Am I missing something?

A .243 barrel in not appropriate for shooting a .22-250!. You'd have to use the .22-250 mags (not sure of the configuration), but more importantly, you'd need a .22-250 vs. .243 barrel.

I think you are missing something. I am tired of the 18 1/2" 243 barrel so I was thinking of having a 22-250 barrel screwed on. My concern is could I use the 243 mags I have now? Or if I picked up some 22-250 mags will they fit in the mag well ?


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[Blcktaildreamer]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

I could be wrong but I can't think of any .22 caliber cartridges with a 243 parent case other than some wildcats. 


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[RadSav]

If I'm not mistaken the 788 has a screwy 20 thread count and an odd length.  So you may have a difficult time finding a smith willing to swap barrels at a reasonable rate.  Would be nice if you get someone to do it, though.  I've yet to shoot one that wasn't a dang fine shooter.  I don't think you can get the 284 round to eject without modifications which may eliminated what I would like to do with one.  So the 260 would be my next choice unless you wanted a short range bear killer in the 338 Federal or 358 Win.

As far as the mags are concerned...I'm sure a good smith could modify those but it's not just a bend needed.  The ramp needs to be raised as well.  But it might be cheaper to just buy new ones.  I'm sure someone like Gunclip Depot will have them.  Then sell your old ones on Ebay to recover some of your cost.

[mountainman]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

223 is even smaller then the 22-250.  There are some Wildcats based off the 243/308 (Middlested, Cheetah, etc..) But nothing factory

[HighlandLofts]

On handed down family guns most people regret modifying or selling off the gun. If you want a different caliber 788, just go buy one. They are not that costly and your original handed down from your grandfather gun will be the way he gave it to you. For the cost of a barrel, the cost of paying a gun smith to do the barrel change you'll have just as much maybe more then another 788 would cost.

[JDHasty]

I was thinking of going with a .22-250. Could a guy just change out the 243 mag for a .22-250 mag ?


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No you use a 308/243 mag in it.  Mine feeds great with three different mags. 

http://www.burntpowder.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=499&p=4964&hilit=junker#p4964

MPI stocks are "the bomb" but spendy.  I have one on a 26" Lilja barreled 22-250 w/Canjar and another on a 243 w/a Timney in it.

If you manage to tear the bolt handle off Almans does a replacement that is like a Mod 7 bolt handle.  Super nice, too.     

[JDHasty]

The mags are probably the same as they're the same parent case. The important thing you'd have to change is the barrel.

No different length.  But it will feed from a 22-250 mag and the mag hanger is in the rear so it slips right in place with a little careful lining it up.  But the longer mags are the best way to go. 

[JDHasty]

If I'm not mistaken the 788 has a screwy 20 thread count and an odd length.  So you may have a difficult time finding a smith willing to swap barrels at a reasonable rate.  Would be nice if you get someone to do it, though.  I've yet to shoot one that wasn't a dang fine shooter.  I don't think you can get the 284 round to eject without modifications which may eliminated what I would like to do with one.  So the 260 would be my next choice unless you wanted a short range bear killer in the 338 Federal or 358 Win.

As far as the mags are concerned...I'm sure a good smith could modify those but it's not just a bend needed.  The ramp needs to be raised as well.  But it might be cheaper to just buy new ones.  I'm sure someone like Gunclip Depot will have them.  Then sell your old ones on Ebay to recover some of your cost.

It is an easy install.  Any competent smith can do it.

284 absolutely will never feed into a mag w/out sectioning it and welding it back together.  It would keep you busy for life trying to make it work.

[JDHasty]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

223 is even smaller then the 22-250.  There are some Wildcats based off the 243/308 (Middlested, Cheetah, etc..) But nothing factory

No Cheetah in a 788.  It is going to be to much of a headache.  Seen a few and they were beautiful pieces of art, but problematic with sticking cases.   

[JDHasty]

Am I missing something?

A .243 barrel in not appropriate for shooting a .22-250!. You'd have to use the .22-250 mags (not sure of the configuration), but more importantly, you'd need a .22-250 vs. .243 barrel.

I think you are missing something. I am tired of the 18 1/2" 243 barrel so I was thinking of having a 22-250 barrel screwed on. My concern is could I use the 243 mags I have now? Or if I picked up some 22-250 mags will they fit in the mag well ?


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If you block the front of the cutout in the stock and use 22-250 bottom metal they will work just fine.  But the longer mag works fine without that and you can load the rounds out much longer.  The 22-250 mag is pretty short.  That is why I used to shoot Sierra 55 HPs out of mine.  With the factory barrel that was the only way to get gilt edge accuracy. 

[Bill W]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

223 is even smaller then the 22-250.  There are some Wildcats based off the 243/308 (Middlested, Cheetah, etc..) But nothing factory

No Cheetah in a 788.  It is going to be to much of a headache.  Seen a few and they were beautiful pieces of art, but problematic with sticking cases.

I'd agree with this also.  The 788 action does not lock up at the front of the bolt like a 700 or mauser style.

[JDHasty]

So is it the .223 that has the same case as the .243? I guess maybe i got the 2 mixed up??

223 is even smaller then the 22-250.  There are some Wildcats based off the 243/308 (Middlested, Cheetah, etc..) But nothing factory

No Cheetah in a 788.  It is going to be to much of a headache.  Seen a few and they were beautiful pieces of art, but problematic with sticking cases.

     

I'd agree with this also.  The 788 action does not lock up at the front of the bolt like a 700 or mauser style.

Can lock up tight as a tick!!!! !!  and will with something like a Cheetah that guys are trying to wring every bit of velocity out of while simultaneously trying to seat the bullet close to max out accuracy from.  Even my 22-250 that has the Winchester barrel on I have to have a cleaning rod handy when I am at the range working up loads.

If I were the owner I would go with a stainless 26" 243 in factory contour.  I would DEMAND that the barrel installer cut the relief groove for the front action screw in the barrel threads and would put a thick recoil lug on it and mod the factory trigger by separating the sear spring from the pull weight by replacing the single spring with two springs and call it good.  Or go with a Timney, but if this - there is a pin that projects from the left side when the safety is placed on and you need to relieve the stock a bit.   Timney's also never work without hand fitting the bolt release.  In my experience anyway.

It's not my rifle, but if it were... I would have it set up to shoot an 87 gr V-max, and w/1:9 it will still handle 95 0r 100 gr Nosler partitions real well if you want to take a deer with it.  Don't have it throated to seat the bellet to the ragged edge of what fits the mag if you want to shoot chucks with it and the barrel will last you a good long time as the throat recedes.

I would go with the 243 just because the 22-250 doesn't have anything on it over the 243 unless you just want to try something different.  And I shoot as many chucks as anyone.   

It just may also shoot 70 BTs real well, but I am moving away from them toward the 87 v-Max for chucks because they seem to handle wind a bit better.  Both are GTG on coyotes.

Done this way the rifle will probably hold groups that are south of a half minute out to wherever you want to shoot if the chamber is cut straight and true.  It will hang right in there with "bag guns" shooting chucks, will still be handy enough to pack deer hunting and if you are anything like me will be a "go to" rifle for both.

That factory stock is probably beach wood and if so it is STABLE, it is a rock.  That beach never warps. If it is walnut, it is probably GTG too, but float the barrel a bit more.  Just a touch, don't over do it.   

If you bed the recoil leg and action back to an inch in front of the rear tang, and maybe pillar the front action screw, you probably have maxed it out w/out screwing around with dealing with a custom pillar for the rear screw.  It screws into a boss that is induction welded to the rear tang and hangs down into the rear pillar if you are so inclined.  AND the rear pillar is too close to the trigger assy and the contour of the outside will need to be screwed with to.  Just skip that headache.  You will not benefit one iota from putting you, or your smith, through that crapola. 

   

   

[JDHasty]

I'm going to be 100% honest with you and say that the 788 stocks fit everybody, including yours truly, very well.  I put a couple 788s in MPIs because I had "money burning a hole in my pocket."  In my experience factory stocks are "a rock" when it comes to stability and in all weather conditions and every one has shot very well with the forearm floated just enough that two dollar bills slipped between them and the barrel.   My first MPI was probably a result of me hogging out the barrel channel and making it ugly, the second was money burning a hole in my pocket.

Paint a factory stock and spray webbing spray over the base color and you will need to convince others that it is not a fiberglass stock. See the photos of my painted up stock in the link above.  And if you have any questions feel free to post or PM me and probably can give you some advice regarding what my experience is with that conundrum.     

[Bill W]

I didn't say the action doesn't lock up tight.  It's reputed to flex during recoil when loads are at or above max.  This also didn't seem to affect accuracy but does mess with case life.

I had 3 788's and all were shooters.  I still have one in .222 as I bought the two .308's to resell at a profit.

[JDHasty]

I didn't say the action doesn't lock up tight.  It's reputed to flex during recoil when loads are at or above max.  This also didn't seem to affect accuracy but does mess with case life.

I had 3 788's and all were shooters.  I still have one in .222 as I bought the two .308's to resell at a profit.

What I meant is that a stuck case will lock them up solid.  It is bolt compression that is to blame and although it is only a few thousandths.. that is enough.  The receiver is really thick and solid, so I think most of the displacement is in the bolt body.