Gunsmithing Rem 788 and AICS mags

[ranger1183]

I'm looking into the possibility of opening up the bottom of a Remington model 788 .308 winchester action for the use of AICS/Alpha mags. Obviously, bottom metal needs to be designed and made. If anyone has any experience with this, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

For those that don't know, the Rem 788 is a very well engineered action coupled with a really cheap factory bottom metal and small 3 round magazines. Upgrading to 10 round mags would be a game changer for this rifle.

 

[ajwcotton]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

Did you say "game changer" I think you then need Red Jacket.

In all seriousness check out Chad Dixon, there is a thread around here somewhere where he designed and CNC's a bottom metal for a custom action, from the pics it looks like it turned out great

 

[xs hedspace]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

Always liked the Rem 788, can't hardly find one for sale, to play with. Owners keep them until they fall apart.

 

[Beef_Supreme]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

I wouldn't do it. First off the 788 is an awesome rifle that is classic as hell. I have 6 of them, just bought a 22-250 last week.
However, it is NOT the optimum action to build off of for such a project. The lugs being on the rear of the bolt leave unsupported bolt head, and if you are going to shoot it often and seriously as anyone would who is building such a rifle, there are much better choices for an action.
BR guys love the .222 actions to build off of, there were never any cases of them failing due to problems with bolt 'bending' but the .308 was more prone because of the doubled recoil/pressures. Headspace would start to increase, then the bolt gets 'stiff.' Handloading for range, accuracy and speed will increse the propensity.
I have a .308 carbine factory save reblueing, and I worked up a hunting load, shoot it now and again and hunt with it every year. Not a serious shooting piece, although my .222 is, and my .22-250 will be. My 7-08's headspace has grown to beyond field-gauge dimensions, so as soon as I get around to it I will be correcting that, and putting it up for a hunting only gun.

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

788 used to be a pretty well respected BR rifle, when 222 was the cartridge of choice. As was mentioned above with the 308 pressures, when the 6PPC became the choice chambering, the action was found lacking in the stiffness/strength category.

Keep it for what it was/is, use something more ..... tacticool, if that is your ultimate objective.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Beef_Supreme</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wouldn't do it.
it is NOT the optimum action to build off of for such a project.
</div></div>

I agree

 

[Prebanpaul]

Re: Rem 788 and AICS mags

please dont do it....... to nice of a rifle,,,,,,,,,, I have all of them made including left handed and carbine version. 44 mag being my favorite gun that I own....... Just buy a cheap 700