I have a 788 and it is a 22-250. I bought it new in the 70's. Still looks like new and is a tack driver with the right load as well. Great gun.

They are ok for getting form down and fetting started. HOwever all the really are are cheap 700s

Crow wrote:

They are ok for getting form down and fetting started. HOwever all the really are are cheap 700s

Humm I don't know about that.

Dimitri

Crow wrote:

They are ok for getting form down and fetting started. HOwever all the really are are cheap 700s

They are quite a bit different than the 700. And as far as getting started, I am willing to bet that there are guys out there that own only 1 rifle and its a 788. Those guns will last just as long as a 700. JMHO.

What I find with guys that own them is no matter how many rifles they eventually own, they won't give up the 788. I've got several rifles some that cost much much more but don't really shoot any better. I know I will never give mine up and I own three of them, and would buy more if I could find them.
Don

Pitt55 wrote:

What I find with guys that own them is no matter how many rifles they eventually own, they won't give up the 788. I've got several rifles some that cost much much more but don't really shoot any better. I know I will never give mine up and I own three of them, and would buy more if I could find them. Don

I agree with you Pitt, I will never give up my one and only 788. I had a chance quite a few years back to buy another that was exactly like the one I have but didn't have the funds. Have not seen another since then.

If you think the 700 and the 788 are the same just look at the actions. The 788 has a very small ejection port area compared to the 700 which opens about half of the receiver. This simple but strong receiver is where most people think the 788 gets it accuracy from. I think that just about any well put together rifle, the savage 110 for example, is capable of the same level of accuracy. I attribute the 788's accuracy to the lighter easier to shoot calibers that it came in as opposed to the 700's 30-06, 300 Win Mag., 338, etc... which I believe are a little too much for most people to handle, i.e. recoil anticipation. The 308 is the most powerful cartridge that it came in and that is the only one that might be hard to shoot all day long. The others, like the 222, 22-250, 243, 30-30 even the 44 Mag. all have somewhat mild recoil making them easier to shoot accurately. The 788 is a good gun but it is only one of many many other good guns out there. Try some other guns like a Savage 99 in 300 Savage, Browning BAR in 243, or a Marlin 336 in 30-30 they all shoot pretty sweet too.

This was my first deer rifle at age 12.
A 788 in .308 cal. with a Tasco straight 4power on it. Shot a lot of deer with it. I still own it 30 years later. I took the scope of it and just use the iron sights. It's my woods gun now.

The 788's have a shorter lock time then the mod 700 as well.
Joe