I have had a Remington 700 before, so I am familiar with that model. I have seen ads for the model 788. How does the 788 compare to the 700? Better, worse, same, cheaper, or more expensive? Accuracy on the 788 versus the 700?

Thanks in advance.

In ones I have used along with a general consensus of many others I know have owned or operated them, the 788 is often MORE accurate than a 700 though to most it appears of lesser quality in fit and feel. A 788 in any of the good varmint calibers it was chambered for is a heck of a coyote calling rifle. Likewise one in .243, 6mm, 7-08, or .308 makes a handy, reliable deer/hog rifle. They seem to go faster, when posted for sale on here than a 700. I believe "tophorsecop" has both a .243 and .308 788 that look in good shape for sale in the classifieds right now.

They are junk! They should give them all to me so I can dispose of them! Just kidding.

The 788 was a cheap rifle which I believe sold for about $130 when it first came out, however, it had one of Rem. best bbl's
in it and a fast lock time...most are extremely accurate...the
trigger wasn't adjustable, but I understand that there is an
after=mkt trigger available now...They are not 700's which come
in everything from ADL,BDL,SPS,Sendero's ect...and costs much
more...DD

I have personally known two of them, each in .222 Remington. I don't know which one would have been the more accurate, but I believe they were the most accurate sporter rifles I ever fired. One of them currently lives in my safe.

788's were made from 1967 ~ 1983, in 67 new price started at $89.95 and went up to around $170 by 83.
Most were/are more accurate than the higher priced 700 models.
They have a cult like following which keeps the demand and price high, it is rare to find a 788 cheaper than a new 700 adl.

I've owned several of each of the standard rifle calibers, wish I would've kept most of them now.

I can't say enough good things about mine. I have one in .243 and it is a pleasure to shoot. The accuracy is on par with any of the top 700s and Savages out their.

My only complaint about mine is the aftermarket synthetic stock. I had to get one because the wood stock was cut down to fit a woman and thus made it too short for me.

I don't remember the exact year but sometime in the 70's a guy showed up at the Camp Perry shoot with a bone stock 788 and walked away as top shooter. Embarrassing a lot of big name shooters with high dollar rifles.

Remington even ran an advertisement after that about the $120 rifle that won Camp Perry.

Bought my first 788 in 1982 chambered in 7mm-08 at Walmart for 209 out the door. Was in college at the time and a friend that was a Benchrest competetor recomemded it. That is still my goto deet rifle. I have no idea how many deer it has taken over the years and if it shoots over a 3/4 inch group the sooter did not do their part.

Righe now there are 3 788s in the safe 223, 7mm08 and a 44Mag all shoot very well.

Have no idea but have heard from more than one source that the 788 was inpart discontinued because it was imbarresing to Remington that their economy rifle usually would outshoot the Flagship 700

I've got one in a 22-250 and it's hands down the best rifle me or my dad have ever owned. I'll probably get another one or two eventually

got one in 243 thinking about selling. what price range are they selling for nowdays ?

I have one in 22-250 and it is super accurate.

I wish I had one, honestly think they were discontinued cause they outshot the higher priced model 700s. I heard they had minor problems, still wish I could find one in .22-250 and .308, been to gunshows and for some reason, these 2 calibers just aint out there in the 788.

They are out there, the problem I have is the price, then again the highest priced 788 I have seen now is in my safe. 95% 44Mag 788 is not that common of a rifle.

I paid $78 for mine new at the old Gibson's Discount store. It is a 243 and is just like everyone said --very accurate. My nephew has it now.

On aside from praising this gun, I have to admit I hold some hesitation with their quality...As a young kid I once missed a standing coyote from this side of 20 yards with a tackdriving 6mm 788...had to be the crappy gun...no way it could have been due to the excitement of a boy that yanked the trigger as soon as fur filled the 9x scope right? I was soo mad and ashamed but tried to keep such a poker face about it that I had my friend with me help me search for blood or fur because I "knew I had hit it"...obviously no body was recovered, nor blood or fur for that matter, and it took a while before he let me live it down...I have yet to let myself live down that miss...

After a friend shot my first 788 he tried to get the local gun store to order him one. The guy told him they were crap and he would not order him one. After hearing that I went in and put up a challenge to the store owner. He could pick any rifle he wanted and if it would outshoot my crap gun dollar for dollar I would buy the gun he choose for the match. By Dollar for Dollar I explained ment if he choose a $400 gun it would have to shoot groups half the size of the $200 gun, needless to say he did not go for the challenge.

I had a .223 & 22-250 that were super accurate, especially for the money. Sold them because I wanted something "purtier". Still have a 308 that I bought back in early 80's if I remember correctly. Will probably sell it since I never use it, will buy a "purty" something with the money.

If I remember correctly the claim to fame for the 788 was a supposedly much faster lock time, ie, from when the trigger broke till the firig pin hit the primer. Supposedly the weak link was the bolt lugs were in the rear of the bolt rather than the front. All I am doing is repeating what the "experts" said.

One added thought is Remington made a low priced budget plain Jane bolt action 22, model 580, 581,582. These have also been discontinued but I would recommend you get one if you have the chance, I still have one and it is a sleeper, very accurate.

Thanks so much for all the info. I sold a few things, have the funds, and it looks like I will be looking seriously for a 788. Does the serial number indicate the year of manufacture, and if so, which digits?
Thanks!

Designer/Inventor:Wayne Leek

Action Type:Bolt action

Caliber/Gauge:

.222 Rem. – 1967 – 1980, 1982
.223 Rem. – 1975
.22-250 Rem. – 1967
.243 Win. 1968; w/ 18 ½" barrel 1980
6mm. Rem. – 1969 – 1980
6mm. Rem. Left Hand – 1969 – 1980
7mm-08 Rem. – 1980 w/ 18 ½" barrel
.308 Win. – 1969
.308 Win. Left Hand – 1969 – 1980; w/ 18 ½" barrel 1980
.30-30 Win. – 1967 – 1970
.44 Rem. Mag. – 1967 – 1970

Serial Number Blocks:

1967 – 010001 to 068460
1968 – 6200000 to 6899999
1974 – A6000000 to A6199999
1978 – B6000000 to B6199999

Grades Offered:
There were no high grades offered in this model.

Variations:
In 1980 changes to the stock included a fluted comb, thicker pistol grip, and wider

Wow, that was fast! Thanks a ton quack1!

On early modles the safety blocked trigger and bolt on later modles only the trigger is blocked but not sure when that was changed.

well, dont pay the price being asked for the .222 in the classifieds!!

Based on all your comments, I pulled the trigger and bought a 788 in 308 caliber today. Taking it out to my uncle's ranch this weekend for some target shooting and piggies if one comes across my crosshairs.

Congrats.

Good luck on the piggies. Last 788 I bought took it out that afternoon and shot a pig in da face