Remington 788
Encyclopedia
The Remington 788 is an inexpensive yet accurate hunting rifle developed by the Remington Arms
Company to compete with other gun companies' less expensive rifles and marketed alongside their more expensive Model 700 line. The 788 utilizes a single-column detachable magazine holding 3 rounds. A .22 rimfire
model was also produced known as the 580, 581, or 582 depending on its method of feed. A target version of the .22 caliber 58x series, the 540X, was used by the US Military as a training rifle and later disposed through the Civilian Marksmanship Program
.
The 788 was made in many calibers up to the length of the 6 mm Remington
. Magazines in this caliber are extremely rare. Most common calibers encountered are .308
and .243
, but less common bolt-action calibers are available such as .30-30 Winchester
and .44 magnum
. These rifles differed slightly in the design of the magazine and the bolt. The front of these bolts did not rotate.
Remington made extensive use of 'screw-machines' in the manufacture of this rifle. The 788 was discontinued in the 1980s. In its used form, the 788 retains a cult following for its accuracy, despite several serious design flaws. Such as the safety, it is notorious for slipping up and making the firearm unfit for safe use. Because this rifle is no longer in production, it is very hard and expensive to find parts to one. The Remington 700 is still in production and is used (with variants) as a military sniper rifle.
Remington Arms
Remington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
Company to compete with other gun companies' less expensive rifles and marketed alongside their more expensive Model 700 line. The 788 utilizes a single-column detachable magazine holding 3 rounds. A .22 rimfire
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
model was also produced known as the 580, 581, or 582 depending on its method of feed. A target version of the .22 caliber 58x series, the 540X, was used by the US Military as a training rifle and later disposed through the Civilian Marksmanship Program
Civilian Marksmanship Program
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a U.S. government-chartered program that promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with special emphasis on youth. Any U.S. citizen who is not legally prohibited from owning a firearm may purchase a military surplus...
.
Overview
The distinguishing feature of the 788 is its rear-lugged bolt. The bolt has 9 lugs in three rows of three lugs each. They lock into the receiver behind the magazine well. Because of this design, the bolt handle lifts only 60 degrees on opening giving more clearance for scopes compared to the 90 degrees required for the Model 700 and other two-lugged bolts. The bolt travel is also reduced because of the rear lugs. The receiver also has a small ejection port and no bolt lug raceways, making the receiver stiffer than a Remington 700, although it is the same outside diameter.The 788 was made in many calibers up to the length of the 6 mm Remington
6 mm Remington
The 6mm Remington was introduced by Remington Arms Company in 1955 as the .244 Remington. It is based on necking down the .257 Roberts. Originally intended as a Varmint and predator cartridge, the .244 was never factory loaded with bullets over 90 grains. Rifles marked .244 Remington have a 1 in ...
. Magazines in this caliber are extremely rare. Most common calibers encountered are .308
.308 Winchester
The .308 Winchester is a rifle cartridge and is the commercial cartridge upon which the military 7.62x51mm NATO centerfire cartridge is based. The .308 Winchester was introduced in 1952, two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62x51mm NATO T65...
and .243
.243 Winchester
The .243 Winchester is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Initially designed as a varmint round, it is now more frequently used on medium to large game such as whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn, wild hogs, and even black bear and caribou...
, but less common bolt-action calibers are available such as .30-30 Winchester
.30-30 Winchester
The .30-30 Winchester/.30 Winchester Center Fire/7.62×51mmR cartridge was first marketed in early 1895 for the Winchester Model 1894 lever-action rifle. The .30-30 , as it is most commonly known, was the USA's first small-bore, sporting rifle cartridge designed for smokeless powder. The .30-30 is...
and .44 magnum
.44 Magnum
The .44 Remington Magnum, or simply .44 Magnum, is a large-bore cartridge originally designed for revolvers. After introduction, it was quickly adopted for carbines and rifles...
. These rifles differed slightly in the design of the magazine and the bolt. The front of these bolts did not rotate.
Remington made extensive use of 'screw-machines' in the manufacture of this rifle. The 788 was discontinued in the 1980s. In its used form, the 788 retains a cult following for its accuracy, despite several serious design flaws. Such as the safety, it is notorious for slipping up and making the firearm unfit for safe use. Because this rifle is no longer in production, it is very hard and expensive to find parts to one. The Remington 700 is still in production and is used (with variants) as a military sniper rifle.