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Gunsmithing Remington 788

JFComfort

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Minuteman
Mar 19, 2009
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I'm getting ready to re-barrel a Remington 788 for my Grandpa, any quirks I should be aware of? Got a Brux barrel ready to go. Any insights are much appreciated.
 
Re: Remington 788

Not really. There isn't a bolt nose recess so, it's a little easier than a 700.

What caliber rifle is it?
 
Re: Remington 788

Have you pulled the old barrel off yet? There is a little groove cut in the threads to clear the fwd action screw.

You do not have to cut the groove if you don't want. Either cut a half thread off the fwd action screw, or spot mill the threads where the action screw hits.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not really. There isn't a bolt nose recess so, it's a little easier than a 700.

What caliber rifle is it?</div></div>

Its a .308, I'm just putting on another .30 cal barrel with a 1-10" twist. I'll be using a standard .308 Win. reamer from PTG.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mikee Booshay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you pulled the old barrel off yet? There is a little groove cut in the threads to clear the fwd action screw.

You do not have to cut the groove if you don't want. Either cut a half thread off the fwd action screw, or spot mill the threads where the action screw hits.</div></div>

No Sir, I haven't pulled the barrel off yet. I'm going to get the rifle busted out next weekend. I appreciate the heads up on the forward action screw. I'll probably just trim the screw to be honest with ya.
 
Re: Remington 788

I did one a 7 or 8 years back. The 788 action is smaller in dia than the 700. Do you have the right wrench?

Getting the barrel off mine was a knock down drag out fight.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: my human host</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did one a 7 or 8 years back. The 788 action is smaller in dia than the 700. Do you have the right wrench?

Getting the barrel off mine was a knock down drag out fight.</div></div>

Thank you for bringing that up, that could cause a problem. I'm so used to re-barreling Rem 700's I didn't consider that I may not have the right wrench.

Some of the factory Remington 700 rifles we've used as donor actions have been a PITA, since the Rem 788 is a old rifle I don't assume its going to come off easy.
 
Re: Remington 788

The difference in dia. isn't huge. I just remember making a new head for my Brownells wrench.

I shouldn't have mentioned mine was difficult. Yours will spin right off and I'll look like a horses ass. LOL. I think the one I rebarreled had been reblued.
 
Re: Remington 788

That will make a excellent barrel for the 788. Those 788's sure shoot good !
 
Re: Remington 788

Some 788 love...

788.jpg


That's my pig gun.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2156SMK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some 788 love...

788.jpg


That's my pig gun. </div></div>

Looks minty. That a 16 inch?
 
Re: Remington 788

Got the barrel off today, it was relatively easy.

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Re: Remington 788

Yes Sir! We did need some out of the box precision tools. Thankfully our good friend HOGNUTS was home!

576084_4388446433889_1333541058_n.jpg
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: my human host</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The smile says it all. </div></div>

+1...did not realize the lugs were on the rear on a 788. Learned something.
 
Re: Remington 788

It seems like brass stretches a little bit more with the 788s I'm assuming do to the lugs in the rear allowing the bolt to flex rearward more. Anybody else notice this? I reload for 4 different 788s and that's what I've found with all of them.
 
Re: Remington 788

I reload for a 788'in .243. Haven't noticed excessive case stretch, but I trim each time in the reload process, so I may just be nipping it back so I don't notice. Rifle is very accurate, but the bolt on mine cycles a bit rough.

The rig JFC is brebarreling cycles much smoother than mine. Wonder if the lugs were lapped? I'll have to ask JFC's grandfather.
 
Re: Remington 788

FYI - Timney makes a nice trigger for the 788. Price isn't bad either.

I free floated the barrel and bedded the action, which made my cold bore and follow up shots the same POI. Made a good hunting rifle and excellent one.
 
Re: Remington 788

adding a couple screws and a trigger return spring and you will out class the Timney. I love the 788 I have 8 or 9 of them.
 
Re: Remington 788

The 788 used to be a popular BR action, before the advent of the 6PPC. The BR guys shot mostly 222 in them, and had good success. When the 6PPC, 30 BR, 6BR etc became more popular, the 788 was found not to be able to handle the pressures, hence the development of many of the custom actions for that game today.

I had an old ( early 1970's ) 788, in 308. Wish I had it back, but lost it to a thief. Hope it blew up in his face....

Keep us posted on your project - I like these old things!
 
Re: Remington 788

I also have several of the 788's, they shoot really well especially since they were the el cheapo rifle when they made them. I heard they took them off the market because they shot as well or better than there premium model the 700 so it took away a higher dollar sale. I've never needed to rebarrel any of mine so I don't know of any quirks.
 
Re: Remington 788

The hard part is over, the old barrel let up without too much of a fight. Should have the new Brux barrel on there by the end of the week. Probably would have started it yesterday but it is freaking hot in the garage this time of year in Southern Nevada.

I will keep you guys updated and post more pictures along the way. Once the barrel is done my Dad and I have to open up the barrel channel in the wood stock a bit then my Dad will have Wild West Gun's here in town re-blue it so its back to looking nice.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JFComfort</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Probably would have started it yesterday but it is freaking hot in the garage this time of year in Southern Nevada.
</div></div>

The barrel gave up to Hognuts and his gorilla strength but it gave me the big FU. I need to hit the gym again.

I was not looking forward to the 120F garage either.

What are the threads on a 788 tenon? I didn't get a chance to measure yesterday but it sure didn't look like 1.062x16 like on a 700 barrel.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: my human host</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks minty. That a 16 inch? </div></div>

18.5".
I removed the factory iron sights.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FYI - Timney makes a nice trigger for the 788.</div></div>

I put one on my pig gun.
It made it easier to shoot well.
 
Re: Remington 788

Dane and I got the 788 finished today. My Dad and I have some stock fitting to do once Wild West Guns here in Las Vegas re-blue's it for us. Looking forward to seeing it all finished and put back together.

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Re: Remington 788

JF, very nice rifle. Your grandfater will be proud. Get some pics posted when you get it all done & a range report would be great. I have always liked the 788 they seem to be inherently accurate. Thanks for posting its a nice change.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaveD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did I miss what it was chambered in?
Nice job.
</div></div>

It's in the 4th post. 308
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JFComfort</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes Sir! We did need some out of the box precision tools. Thankfully our good friend HOGNUTS was home!

576084_4388446433889_1333541058_n.jpg
</div></div>

That's some funny stuff guys. Thanks for the laugh!! Looking really good. Hope you'll post pics once complete.
 
Re: Remington 788

I will be sure to post pictures once it comes back from Wild West and when its all put together. My Dad is ordering a EGW 20 MOA base for it so we will be able to mount a scope and test it out.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Larson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 788 reciever I`d like to sell....... good shape in the white....$200 shipped...
bill larson</div></div>

PM sent on info request and likely taking it if you're serious.

Rich
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Larson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 788 reciever I`d like to sell....... good shape in the white....$200 shipped...
bill larson </div></div>
it`s for a 308 length cartridge
 
Re: Remington 788

Looks good, are you going to hunt with it soon?
 
Re: Remington 788

I killed a heifer sized doe at 200 plus yards with my factory 18'' .308 yesterday evening
smile.gif

If you have to rebarrel a classic, atleast you did it with taste and class and made it look like a hunting rifle again
smile.gif
 
Re: Remington 788

Damn $200 bucks for a 788 action? How much does a complete gun go for. I cleaned 2 rifles for a guy and he gave me one in 308. Cosmetically its in ok shape but the thing is beautiful inside. It shoots damn good too. I put a set of williams sights on it and just keep it around as another rifle. I didnt know they had value. I learned somethin today.
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JFComfort</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is the rifle finished! Sorry it took so long.

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http://www.sincityprecision.com/?p=899</div></div>


Turned out Great Jf

so how does it shoot?
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geraldsd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sent you a PM Ballistic Artist... </div></div>
Ok. Wierd, I dont see it? Can you send it again? Did you send it to my email?
 
Re: Remington 788

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ballistic artist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Damn $200 bucks for a 788 action? How much does a complete gun go for. </div></div>

I paid $400 for mine about 10 years ago with scope mounts and a cheap scope on it.
It was used, but pretty much new, 99% condition.
 
Re: Remington 788

Here's mine. Started out as a 22-250 with worn out barrel. Made it into a 7.62x39 with a Shilen barrel. The 22-250 mags work great with the 7.62x39 rounds.

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