Next project - Reviving the REM 788 in 222

Now that the BSA P14 is at shootable stage, it’s time to address the 788 that’s been languishing in the safe. The rifle looked ok at first glance but the more I looked at it, the more it became apparent that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed. When I first bought it to its new home, it was stripped down for a thorough clean. The barrel was a right state and it was a rusty mess under the Hillver bridge mount. Though there is some minor pitting on the last two inches or so, the bore cleaned up well and no lasting damage to the action. Blueing is still very good, bolt runs very nicely and overall doesn’t look like it’s had a lot of use.
By this time, I’d become a great deal more educated on the 788’s having a lovely 22-250 as well. So looking at this one, it just didn’t look right. From the photos at time of purchase, it was obvious that the comb had been removed but once I had it in my hands it was clear something else was off. Turns out that she had been chopped two inches from both ends and as per the photos, has multiple sling mount holes and a split at the butt. I parked my disappointment in the safe and every so now and then, would bring it out and stare at it, getting my head around the fact that this rifle was not going to be restored back to reasonably original condition.

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The positives are that the barrel is still 22”, which is good for a 222 and in good order, the action is sweet, had the trigger tuned a bit and it’s breaks beautifully, I have two mags, always a bonus, and it came with a very nice Hillver mount and rings. Chucked on a Weaver V2.5-7 just to see how it looked and not disappointed.

So now to move forward on this project, I have to resolve the stock problem. There’s little to no chance of finding another 788 stock to suit so decided that I’ll find and adapt an older mod 700 wooden one. My plan is to first experiment with a synthetic one I have on hand. JB weld, plastic packers and some drilling and grinding should get me in the ball park. Just looking at the two side by side, it’s probably best to align the recoil lugs and work towards the rear. Even if it doesn’t pan out, it’ll be a challenging and interesting exercise.
Any and all feedback welcome. Cheers everyone.

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good luck they are a great model I still have my 788 in .308 wont part with it just really does the job

Fill those holes in your existing stock - wooden dowels and glue will fix that. And then just use it .

Reinventing the wheel just because doesnt make a lot of sense on a working rifle.

Used to have one in 222. Had a rusty pitted bore but still shot nice little groups. One of the most accurate rifles Ive owned. Have you shot this one yet?

thats good advice from feenicks yeah don't turn it into a plastic fantastic - no major cracks in stock so yeah fill the holes - going well these will shoot as good as any tikka or sako - stiff heavy action and fast lock time really helped and the triggers were usually quite okay

Looks to me like the original stock wouldnt take too much to tidy up. Fill the holes, lengthen the butt, fit a higher cheekpiece if thats what you want. And do a bit or remodelling. Theres been several posts lately explaining how to do some pretty nice looking paint jobs. Put it back together and have at it. Theyre great rifles for the money and rarely wont shoot nice little groups. Looking forward to the update pic's.

A big fat recoil pad isn't needed on trebly but would lengthen it nicely.agree totally to fill cracks n holes and just use it as it comes out. Plastic is soulless

@Sidetrack , Boyds do a direct fit stock for the 788, think you can spec in pillars as well.

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/conte...88-3u2049204zz

Wait till they have a sale (usually during US holidays) and you'll get a wee discount.

Thanks for all the feedback. I’ve been going back and forth with the idea of just inletting a new cheek riser and extending the butt for a better fit but having a patchwork stock didn’t sit well with me. Given the state of it, I’m just being too prissy about it so will pursue that course of action. I’ve kept some of the cleaner bits of Rimu from our current ongoing renovations here which should be ideal for the job.
Cheers all.

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Originally Posted by caberslash

@Sidetrack , Boyds do a direct fit stock for the 788, think you can spec in pillars as well.

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/conte...88-3u2049204zz

Wait till they have a sale (usually during US holidays) and you'll get a wee discount.

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“you’ll get a wee discount” hahaha, that spoke to the kilt wearer in me!! I’ll keep that in the back of mind, cheers.

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Originally Posted by blip

Used to have one in 222. Had a rusty pitted bore but still shot nice little groups. One of the most accurate rifles Ive owned. Have you shot this one yet?

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No, not as yet. Bought it on a whim and have slowly put together dies, brass etc for it. Developed a bit of a fetish for these rifles for some reason. They’re relatively cheap and plain but interesting. Have sourced another which is all there but needs some tlc so starting to become a bit of an obsession. I thinks its worth saving a few as originals, as a lot of them were stripped for their actions and the rest have been well and truly raced, rallied and rolled.

Great rifles. Mine in .308 is my go to.
I have the original stock for mine after I built a new walnut stock for it, but I don’t imagine the .222 and .308 will have the same inletting?
Also at some point someone has cut a bit of a schnabel into the fore end.
It’s otherwise original inc the plastic butstock. I’ll get a photo after work.

I would be keen to get one of these in .223 as a wallaby/goat gun.

I’ve never have a longer action stock to compare it to but I don’t think there will be much variation. The rear end should be pretty much identical and then stretched out forwards of the recoil lug.

Would just like to pass on a lesson I’ve learnt regarding these kind of projects. It came to me when looking for a solution for scope mounts for the P14. It doesn’t really apply to a full restoration of a piece and those that want period correct parts and accessories. This is all well and good but it’s becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to achieve and not to mention, impractical, when all you want is to continue to use these firearms in the future, without the hassle of trying to source unobtanium parts. Common, off the shelf parts like scope mounts, a case in point.

I got hung up on sourcing mounts for my other 788 that I missed the simple and obvious. For the sake of drilling and tapping one hole in the receiver, I wasted a lot of time and effort looking for a part that was specifically made for that particular model. Lesson learnt and applied to the P14. One hole redrilled and tapped and the whole world of Model 70 mounts was opened to me. I’ve applied the same lesson for this rifle.
Only one rear mount hole (I think because they generally had bridge mounts fitted) and the fronts match up with a standard M700 mount. One hole and Bob’s your uncle. I now have the option to toss the pic rails and choose any two piece mounts that I want and they’ll always be on the shelf.

yeah keep it original one point i notice though is that it appears that it has had a coat of varnish over it - could be wrong but it looks like it - be careful sanding - those stocks from factory were heavily stained - the original beech is very very pale so if you sand back you will need a stain to get it to look like anything original

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I also have an unfinished Powlonia carbon fibre stock inletted and bedded for the 308 action. It needs a good sand and another coat or two of epoxy. I didn’t like how it came out thickness wise so it’s been sitting waiting to get finished.

I was keeping the stock in case I ever decided to sell the rifle to keep it original, but I have already cut and suppressed the barrel so that’s out.

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Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

yeah keep it original one point i notice though is that it appears that it has had a coat of varnish over it - could be wrong but it looks like it - be careful sanding - those stocks from factory were heavily stained - the original beech is very very pale so if you sand back you will need a stain to get it to look like anything original

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Definitely hard and shiny. Refinishing these birch stocks can be a trial and if not done correctly you end up with blotching as per my 22-250 which I’m in the process of redoing.
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@Delphus can you please upload a photo of the topside inletting with tape as well and I’ll do some comparisons. Thanks.

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Tape held in the same place for all photos. Moved the camera to get a more exact view

There are at least 3 788 receivers. Short and long, and Ultra Short

When ordering a new stock you have to be careful. These action distances are what decides your stock size at Boyd's for example.

For whatever reason Remington caused alot of pain with the naming conventions in these rifles.

Long Action, 243 and .308 Winchesters measured 6-9/16 inches.
Short Action, 222/233, 22-250 Remington, and .30-30 Winchester measured 6-5/16 inches
Ultra Short Action, (44 Mag) action measured 5-5/8 inches

Yep, and some interesting caliber choices. Add 7mm08 and 6mmRem as well. I wonder if the reason there were none chambered in the more popular 270 or 30-06 was because it might take sales from the M700 line. I like the 2’s but a 6mm would be an interesting one to have. Not that I know a lot about the cartridge or whether it was chambered in any another rifle that came to nz?

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Yep, and some interesting caliber choices. Add 7mm08 and 6mmRem as well. I wonder if the reason there were none chambered in the more popular 270 or 30-06 was because it might take sales from the M700 line. I like the 2’s but a 6mm would be an interesting one to have. Not that I know a lot about the cartridge or whether it was chambered in any another rifle that came to nz?

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Yup, was chambered in the short action 700. Would have been nice in the long action 700 just so you could seat some of the newer heavier boolits out a bit further. A 6mm Rem with a fast twist barrel and a slightly longer mag box than a SA would certainly hold its own with all the fancy new 6's we're seeing lately.

@Delphus I got around to checking some dimensions on the stock. I have exactly 200mm from the front edge of the recoil lug to the centre of the rear action screw. About 172-173 between the screws. Doesn’t look a lot of difference and there’s plenty of meat in the stock to accommodate the slightly longer or shorter action.

This week sent away 100 rounds of triple deuce for a 788. 55gr Sierra GMK with BM2. Mate says its a honey load. Loves the rifle which has been in the family from his father.