Rem 788 makeover

elkeater2

elkeater2

Handloader
Jan 5, 2009
761
85
This .22-250 belongs to an old friend who was a sheep rancher. It literally was his pickup gun - I accused him of carrying it behind the seat :grin: It was pretty dinged up. I don't know if the wood is birch, but it has weird color patterns, and some of it is much more dense in places, less so in others. The old butt plate is oversize, and just on there for the picture session.
I reshaped the grip/buttstock, stained, checkered, and Duracoated. I think I need to go find my own 788!
View attachment 0112131105.jpgView attachment 788_mkover2.jpg
 
I'm certain there is a fair amount of history in that old rifle. It should be interesting to watch what you do with it.
 
Very nice! You did a great job on the stock.
I have always liked the M788, it has the fastest lock time around.

JD338
 
I just love a 788 that's received some TLC. I like the look of that one, elkeater!

When I used to hunt with my departed uncle who was my mentor in all things firearms-related, we would hunt jackrabbits at night and kill truckloads of them---mostly with scoped rimfires. It was a heck of a lot of fun. As our lighting capabilities improved, centerfires became more desirable so he would furnish those (I had none in those days). He would typically use a nice 700 in .220 Swift or a Model 70 in .22-250 and hand me a junky, beat up old 788 in .222 Remington. It didn't take me long to decide I was getting the better end of the deal. I was miffed at him for a long time for selling that 788. In later years when I had a bit of money to spend I found one in a pawn shop and made it mine in a bout two heartbeats.

It came into my life looking like this:

rem788old_zps4e825e0b.jpg


I shopped around for a stock that was more along the lines of a traditional classic and found one at Gunparts. I refinished it and the rifle looked like this when I was done:

rem788new-1_zpsef67c9e3.jpg


Unfortunately it was not a walnut stock, and it also has suffered a bit of indignity in an overcrowded safe over the years. A while back I found someone making reproduction stocks for 788s out of walnut so I bought one. Eventually I'll get around to getting that all done. I've also acquired some Moly-Resin and might redo the metal on the 788 just to give it a custom look, but I may leave that as it is because the metal's really in very good shape. When (maybe more properly "if") I finish it up I'll post photos.
 
I refinished a blonde 788 some years ago. I sanded off the original finish, used some stripper to get off the last dregs. I then gave it several bands of cherry wood stain across the grain, then rubbed on several coats of boiled linseed with the grain before the stain had fully dried to blend the stain and give it a banded exotic look. It turned out absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately I sold the rifle several years ago and do not have a picture.

Those 788s sure do shoot. The best 100 yd group I've ever fired was with that rifle. 5 shots, .211" CTC. They are prone to wear in the bolt stop/safety/trigger though. I shot mine a lot and wore out one bolt stop and one safety. With wear they develop an extremely dangerous condition where the gun can fire when the safety is switched off. I saw it in my rifle and I've seen it in another at my range during last fall's sight in days. If I owned another one, I would put up a spare for all of those components while they are available.
 
Well, thanks everyone! I enjoyed working on this one, but was glad it wasn't the first. Polaris, these two both had minimal (my opinion) sear engagement. Looks like if someone either rounded corners or stoned the wrong surface it would get dangerous fast. Some have suggested modifications to adjust sear engagement, but all those do is lessen it. Just like you said, when they get worn you need new parts. Gunk can build up if allowed which will hinder the trigger movement and can lead to unsafe conditions as well.
EE2
 
I'm flattered guys, thanks. I do know that I won't put that effort in on that kind of wood again. Phornet, you have a great stock on that Model 70, and it will be worth your effort when you're done I'm sure. The grain and color will show even better with your 20 lpi vs. the 18 I used on this one. It's also slightly easier since the grooves are shallower, even though there are more of them!
EE2
 
my old beater 788, richards LH walnut grade A, think it was 67 bucks when I ordered it 2 weeks after I found the LH 6MM
rem7886mm.jpg

RR
 
Very nice 788's guys. The first ever Rifle I bought myself was a Remington Model 788 in 6mm Remington. I bought the rifle as a package deal that included a cheap 4x scope (Tasco if I remember right), scope mounts and 3 boxes of ammo for like $125.00. That was the only centerfire rifle I had for many years and I shot everything with it. A distant cousin talked me out of the rifle, a decision I have regretted many times.

Larry
 
It is my understanding, I've been doing some research, that the early versions sported a walnut stock before they switched over to the cheaper birch stock. I've been stalking the sites for a .222 Rem 788. Found a few, just got to pull the trigger.
 
Bruce Mc":2ks6s1gt said:
It is my understanding, I've been doing some research, that the early versions sported a walnut stock before they switched over to the cheaper birch stock. I've been stalking the sites for a .222 Rem 788. Found a few, just got to pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
I've had 5 0r 6 788's all but one were the early ones, have never saw anything but stained birch stocks.
RR
 
Some of the GB listings list 'walnut stock'. I also see some with a straight comb and some 'fluting' at the front of the comb. I'm sure there were variations. Checkering is difficult in soft wood, as the fibers will pull too easily rather than cut . That's why I re-apply some finish after getting the pattern established, it strengthens the fibers.
 
I finished this up the other day. That's a Sightron scope he put on it. Gonna get my own and have walnut on it I think.
 

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These 788's were designed to be an economy rifle but still had some dignity and shot straighter than the road to hell. I wish Remington would bring these back and cut it out with the 710s, 770s, and 783s. Those guns are cheap, cheap, cheap! And they dont have that classic hunting rifle look as did the 788, 721, etc. At least the 700 and Model 70 from big red still look great!
 
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