Lately got my old Rem 788 ticking away

[JJames]

I've had the 788 for 30-35 years, Had not shot it much because of the standard Rem trigger which upon measuring it was a normal Rem trigger = 5 1/2 pounds. But had some extra rat hole money from a few gun show sales; so I got a Timney 788 trigger, After installation of Timney Trigger (@2.75 pounds) by my cousin - he'd done a bunch when he had a gun shop - pawnshop, old Leupold scope, and 3 rounds of my handloaded 55 grain Hornady Spitser w/ 22 grains 3031, and 3 rounds Federal white box 50 grain JHP's. I don't think it needs any more adjustment at this range anyhow. BTW the first round was after I had earlier made adjustments to the scope, but I had not done any tapping on it. So it may have been the first round fired settled the scope in. I had fired about half a box of cheapo Wolf brand 50 grain to finally get the Leupold on the paper at 40 yards the day before - it was about a foot and a half off starting out.[

ATTACH=CONFIG]52297[/ATTACH]

[5thDragoons]

That was a model Rem should never have discontinued. Truly, the trigger wasn't the best, and the extractor flat sucked, but they were affordable and would shoot tight groups all day long. Friends and I went in on a group buy on them for $99 each (223). Shot actual thousands of prairie dogs & finally wore the throat out. Also had a 30-30 and 44 mag 788 which were both great shooters, too. Discovered the hard way 30-30 extractors for 788 are about as strong as spaghetti sticks. And good luck finding one if it breaks! But I finally did and sold it having told the prospective buyer about the extractor. A collector bought the 44 mag.

My fave 223 load was 27 grains H335 with a Hornady 55gr SX bullet. I also had a good BL-C2 load, but I don't think it's available anymore. SW

[Allen]

Wow, looks like a 2" -- 2 1/2" group.

[Dragonsdad]

If I ever get down to keeping one rifle, it's going to be my 788 in .308.
I think I traded an aquarium for it. Jerry Remington was nice enough to sign the stock for me.

nice group, btw.

[mtnboomer]

Nice group!

[JJames]

Wow, looks like a 2" -- 2 1/2" group.

Just measured it - not counting the 1st round - it is 1/2" center to center. And that range of 40 yards is just about maximum due to the woods anyhow.

[lyman]

That was a model Rem should never have discontinued. Truly, the trigger wasn't the best, and the extractor flat sucked, but they were affordable and would shoot tight groups all day long. Friends and I went in on a group buy on them for $99 each (223). Shot actual thousands of prairie dogs & finally wore the throat out. Also had a 30-30 and 44 mag 788 which were both great shooters, too. Discovered the hard way 30-30 extractors for 788 are about as strong as spaghetti sticks. And good luck finding one if it breaks! But I finally did and sold it having told the prospective buyer about the extractor. A collector bought the 44 mag.

My fave 223 load was 27 grains H335 with a Hornady 55gr SX bullet. I also had a good BL-C2 load, but I don't think it's available anymore. SW

I get a few in now and again in estates, and when I do, they sell very quickly,

very under rated rifle

[Allen]

Just measured it - not counting the 1st round - it is 1/2" center to center. And that range of 40 yards is just about maximum due to the woods anyhow.

That's Mo' better. I misjudged the size of the target and didn't throw out the "stray" 1st shot.

[mtnboomer]

That's a lot easier than all the accurizing I had to go through on my Springfield 840 .30-30 bolt gun.

IMG_0113-2.jpg
This was at 100 yards.

[JJames]

Last 4 looked dern good.

[mtnboomer]

Yeah, those were my last four shots. The third from the 3-shot magazine (the first two were the "walk-ins" in upper right), then three more from a second mag, and the other three were from Dad's Marlin.

It took a lot of work to get that rifle to that level.

[JJames]

A bit off the thread, but boys, it is beginning to feel like the old minefield, eh?

[mtnboomer]

You betcha!

[Tenboremag]

My 788 in .308 win is probably the most accurate rifle I have. The best I ever did was a 1/4" inch group at 100yds but I don't remember the load. I doubt I could do that again these days. Out of all the rifles I have, that is the one I rely on when hunting.

[Dragonsdad]

headshot on a running coyote
appx 25 yards