I would like to buy a 788 Remington carbine 18" 243 for coyotes. Shooting only light bullets for coyotes. I have heard most 788s shoot good. They are priced reasonable and seem like it would make a very handy 400 yd and in coyote slayer I want a little more energy that the 223 that I always carry. I could handload for it but I would try to make it shoot Hornady 58 gr stuff first. If it shot under a 1" I would just buy two boxes a year and be done. I think for weight I would consider that new nikon m223 rifle scope 1" tube and good looking knobs to to turn. Thoughts?
Hunting & Fishing 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
- Thread starter toddconley
- Start date
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
I have owned many 788s and they were all tack drivers. The older non-carbine stocks with a monte carlo and no cheek piece was a very well fitting stock, the best factory wood stock IMHO. The bolt is not silky smooth like a Tikka but in the late 70's you could buy one at Longs Drug for $129 with a Bushnell scope factory mounted.
The trigger can be worked over and adding an adjustment screw to the sear engagement like the 540-X and annealing or shortening the spring helps reduce wop.
I have never tried 58gr bullets but off the top of my head I think 400yds might be a stretch, wind drift on that bullet with the bc of a loaf of bread might be pretty bad after the velocity dies off, but I again I've never tried it, someone with experience might offer their thoughts.
Even though I'm a fan of the 788 I think for about the same money you could find a used T3, a much nicer and I think lighter rifle with the same reputation for accuracy.
I have owned many 788s and they were all tack drivers. The older non-carbine stocks with a monte carlo and no cheek piece was a very well fitting stock, the best factory wood stock IMHO. The bolt is not silky smooth like a Tikka but in the late 70's you could buy one at Longs Drug for $129 with a Bushnell scope factory mounted.
I have never tried 58gr bullets but off the top of my head I think 400yds might be a stretch, wind drift on that bullet with the bc of a loaf of bread might be pretty bad after the velocity dies off, but I again I've never tried it, someone with experience might offer their thoughts.
Even though I'm a fan of the 788 I think for about the same money you could find a used T3, a much nicer and I think lighter rifle with the same reputation for accuracy.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
You think the tika would be lighter? I also like the short barrel of the carbine? Tikas do shoot good. I have one in 223 as my main coyote rig.
T
You think the tika would be lighter? I also like the short barrel of the carbine? Tikas do shoot good. I have one in 223 as my main coyote rig.
T
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
The T3 is definetly lighter. The 788 is kinda chunky. The barrel can always be shortened.
The T3 is definetly lighter. The 788 is kinda chunky. The barrel can always be shortened.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
u have brought about some very good points. I know for sure the tikka is going to shoot well. as they all do
u have brought about some very good points. I know for sure the tikka is going to shoot well. as they all do
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
i shot my first deer this year with my grandpas little 788. Chambered in .243, It was pretty nice! Althought the stocks a little beat downn
i shot my first deer this year with my grandpas little 788. Chambered in .243, It was pretty nice! Althought the stocks a little beat downn
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
Would love to get mine back...I loaned it to someone in one of my hunting clubs for a kid and have yet to get it back...don't remember who borrowed it....it has/had a 3x9 Loupy on it.
Would love to get mine back...I loaned it to someone in one of my hunting clubs for a kid and have yet to get it back...don't remember who borrowed it....it has/had a 3x9 Loupy on it.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
I think a nice ol' 788 carbine would make for a great coyote rifle. Compact, accurate, drop magazine, hard hittin' 243...it's got all ya need (except the earplugs). Personally, I'd rather carry that classic firearm in the woods than a new plastic Tikka any day...
I think a nice ol' 788 carbine would make for a great coyote rifle. Compact, accurate, drop magazine, hard hittin' 243...it's got all ya need (except the earplugs). Personally, I'd rather carry that classic firearm in the woods than a new plastic Tikka any day...
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
I am still kinda eat up with the 788. I think I like the idea as much as anything.
I am still kinda eat up with the 788. I think I like the idea as much as anything.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
wonder how fast you could get the 87 gr out of the 16 barrel?
wonder how fast you could get the 87 gr out of the 16 barrel?
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!!
I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!!
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STRICK9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!! </div></div>
...and I lost a magazine everytime I went out. They just fall out...or mine did!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STRICK9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!! </div></div>
...and I lost a magazine everytime I went out. They just fall out...or mine did!!
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
I sold the Rem M788 Lefty in 6mm Rem i had, it was the biggest mistake I have ever made. stupid - stupid - stupid.
I sold the Rem M788 Lefty in 6mm Rem i had, it was the biggest mistake I have ever made. stupid - stupid - stupid.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hatchie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STRICK9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!! </div></div>
...and I lost a magazine everytime I went out. They just fall out...or mine did!! </div></div>
Duct Tape...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hatchie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STRICK9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am only gonna say this once because it hurts, I searched well over a year for a bolt for 788 243. If you own a 788, never break one single thing especially the bolt, the bolt handle, the trigger the safety etc.
They are tight shooters for sure and I can remember when they were 100 bucks in the hardware stores, but I am telling ya, parts is scarce!!!! </div></div>
...and I lost a magazine everytime I went out. They just fall out...or mine did!! </div></div>
Duct Tape...
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
My first Rifle was a 788 in 243 at age 10, I still have it and it is still a tack driver. From what I recall it was only out for a few years and while it was out it was in pretty high demand I know a few guys that would get them put it in a match stock and re barrel it and they liked the action better than the rem 700 action. I have not used it in a while, but it was my primary deer hunting rifle until I moved to Colorado where I put it in a safe and bought an 06 for Elk and Mule deer.
My first Rifle was a 788 in 243 at age 10, I still have it and it is still a tack driver. From what I recall it was only out for a few years and while it was out it was in pretty high demand I know a few guys that would get them put it in a match stock and re barrel it and they liked the action better than the rem 700 action. I have not used it in a while, but it was my primary deer hunting rifle until I moved to Colorado where I put it in a safe and bought an 06 for Elk and Mule deer.
Re: 788 Remington 243 Carbine for Coyotes
my first rifle at 9 was also a 788 in 243 which i still own and plan to pass down (he'll be here in July).....it is the carbine and was 15 yrs old when i got if from my grandpa.......still a shooter to this day and loves 85gr Barnes XLC's with 4064....not sure about coyotes but they put the hammer down on deer....great rifle for sure
my first rifle at 9 was also a 788 in 243 which i still own and plan to pass down (he'll be here in July).....it is the carbine and was 15 yrs old when i got if from my grandpa.......still a shooter to this day and loves 85gr Barnes XLC's with 4064....not sure about coyotes but they put the hammer down on deer....great rifle for sure
