I recently read that the Remington Model 788 experiences some degree of bolt compression, especially in the more high pressure calibers. Seems that this can necessitate more frequent full length resizing and maybe shorter case life.

For those of you out there who have been shooting your reloads in a Model 788, what calibers are you shooting, how "hot" are your reloads, and what has been your experience regarding case life ? Any other comments about your experiences with the 788 will also be welcome.

I recently bought a 788 in .222Rem and will be reloading, probably some fodder that approximates factory stuff for casual target and general fun shooting. And, as is apparently normal, the trigger is pretty heavy. Anything I can do about it myself, or is it strictly a job for a smith ? Thanks....Doug

I have a 308 that I have at least 5,000 rounds through. A couple of years ago I broke the bolt handle off falling down a mountain in Colorado. I sent it in to Wisner's to get repaired and while it was there they checked the headspace for me. The bolt would not close on a no-go gage. So it's still shootable.

I would say that 90% of the loads shot in that gun in the last 20 years have been a 165 grain Hornady BTSP seated long (because of the worn throat)with 44 grains of IMR4064.

When I developed this load in 1981 the Hornady manual listed the max load as 43.5 grains but the Dupont IMR loading guide from 1981 gave the max as 44.2 grains, so it is close to a max load.

I shoot a 6mmBR in a 788 that was a 22-250.
So far I have not experienced any problems with the alledged compression. I don't load "max" loads so maybe I am not a good data point for you.

quote:

I recently bought a 788 in .222Rem

I have a friend that has run a pile of hot loads of 22-250 thru his and it's still shooting fine and he has no trouble with brass giving up on him

Your .222 should not be a problem at all....have a ball.

Mine is 6mm, purchased in 1971. many load ran through it, few have been max, everything is still tight and shooting straight.

Don't worry about it. Just clean it good, shoot it, and say, "Damn, how can something this ugly shoot this good!"
Locally, the price of one that is in reasonable shape has crept up to over $400. I think the first ones sold for around $70.

I had one in .22-250 and I loaded it hot all the time. The only thing I noticed is with the rear lugs it seemed to have a sticky bolt lift with loads that had no indication of pressure in a Rem BDL. I used it 'till it needed a new barrel. Nate

quote:

I recently bought a 788 in .222Rem and will be reloading, probably some fodder that approximates factory stuff for casual target and general fun shooting. And, as is apparently normal, the trigger is pretty heavy. Anything I can do about it myself, or is it strictly a job for a smith ? Thanks....Doug

Timney finally released their 788 trigger, about $66 at MidSouth...or you can send it to Mike Bryant for a $50 tweaking.

Re the 222 Rem: I also have one in 788, great shooter. You will notice virtually ever reloading manual keeps max load 222 pressures low, for reasons unknown to me...I exceed most w/o any issue. Had to keep the 222 ahead of my 221 Fireball!

The 222 is under loaded if you look at brass and action capability. I would think saami is into preserving marketing differentials. Why has the hornet been consistently downgraded too? I have two 788s and have had three others, without action problems. My current 222 is going in for rebarreling to 223AI after countless rounds, without problems and it too will run at max insofar as it supports varmint accuracy.

Timney just shipped an order to www.MidsouthShooterssupply.com on Feb 20th, so they should be stocked soon.

I have a 788 in .223 improved and the primer pockets will loosen up before I get any indication of case-head seperation. The ai case doesn't feed very well from the magazine, though.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR INPUT...
I'm looking forward to shooting this 788. Need to get some scope rings, thought I would try the Burris Signature. Need to pick up an extra clip, also.
We have a gun show up the road tomorrow so there will be a chance there for things needed. The way the bidding goes on Ebay for any Mod 788 parts, I'd say there must be a very large number of 788 shooters out there. In fact, there are a couple of citizens out there who are trying to corner the market on original factory 788 magazines still in the package. I think I will keep the one I have under my pillow.
Thanks Again for your contributions to my questions....Doug

The mags are around, check some old gunshops. If worse comes to worse try http://www.jocoemprise.com/rifles/remington/remington788.html
They make new replacement ones, but they're $60-$75 each.