Remington 788 - Overview

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. 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 .222 .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, replacement parts are expensive and difficult to find. The Remington 700 is still in production and is used (with variants) as a military sniper rifle.