Remington 788 .22-250

[DropZone]

Hello,

I posted a question about optics on the forum but I have a rifle question as well so here goes. I got a like new Remington 788 in .22-250 not long ago. It was a good price, $400.00, and I couldn't pass it up. Made in 1981, the owner has shot less than 50 rounds through it since he got it.

I have procured 300 rounds of once fired Hornday/Frontier brass for it from a friend who is was going to pitch it cause he doesn't reload. I have primers and some 55 grain vmax moly bullets that were given to me as a gift. I also have some VVN140 and N150 powder...

Anyone here have any experience they can share with me as I get this thing ready to run since I have never loaded for the .22-250, although I have a lot of experience loading other rifle and pistol rounds. Any good starting load suggestions for these older rifles?

I know the limitations of the bolt handle and have fixed that already before it becomes a problem by having it laser welded to the bolt. I'm trying to think ahead on that one.

Also any feedback on these guns in general would be great as I also got a 1969 .308 Remington 788 at the same time for the same price that does not appear to have ever been fired.

Sincerely,
Joe Chambers

 

[bandit10_4]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

I have owned several 788's over the years and I will say one thing about them... They Shoot! I had a 22-250 and it was definately my favorite of all the 788s Ive owned, wish I still had it. These rifles were an econo-rifle that I believe retailed for around $100, crazy that they shoot so well. All I ever did was have them bedded and tuned the trigger and they are good to go! My 22-250 liked 55 gr anything (I mostly shot nosler bt) but it also liked 40s and 50s too. I will say that I never really had any pressure problems, just stay safe. I will look through my stuff and get back to you tomorrow on the load data. Good Luck, Bandit

 

[r_boyette]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

Cant share any experience with ur reloading question, but wanted to say u have a fine rifle there(Im sure u already know). Two of the old timers that hangout at my local gunshop collect these things. One having 1(or 2-3) of each caliber. Would be nice if Big Green would dump their current line of economy(read "crap") and go back to a rifle that wasnt a throw away. The other old hand at the store was a very successful member of our 877th National Guard Shooting team, and for deer hunting he swears by his 788 Carbine in 7mm-08.
Good luck with the new-old stick!

 

[rundm]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

You will not be disappointed in the rifle. Mine would shoot 55 grain anything but mostly nbt's. Was a very accurate gun but for some reason I got rid of it. Don't know why but I should not have let it go.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

I loved my .22-250 Ruger 77VT; it shot extremely well. It couldn't handle sustained fire. The barrel simply heated too much, too fast.

The Nosler 55gr Ballistic Tip was a Varminator with 35.0gr of Varget. I used 36.0gr of Varget with the 52grSMK, likewise 34.1gr of IMR-4064 and the 52SMK. The Varget loads are max, the IMR load maxes out at 35.8gr with the 52SMK. Dime holes at 200yd off the rest.

Greg

 

[DropZone]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

Thank you all for the info. I plan on getting started with some loading now as soon as I can decided which scope to pick up for this crittergetter.

Anyone else wanna chime in please feel free!

Joe

 

[Parallax]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

Make sure you point it in a safe direction when taking it off safety with a round in the chamber. The older ones had some issues with the safety design and sometimes fired... partially because IIRC you gotta have the safety off to work the bolt I suspect. Old info from Remington below...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington Model 788 bolt-action rifles are not included in the safety modification program.

Model 788 rifles were manufactured from 1967 until 1983. Model 788 rifles made before 1975 were equipped with a bolt-lock mechanism. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: If you have a Model 788 rifle with a bolt-lock mechanism, the manual safety must be placed in the .F. or .Off or Fire. position to lift the bolt and begin the process of unloading the rifle. Be sure the rifle is pointing in a safe direction anytime you move the manual safety to the .F. or .Off or Fire. position. After you have lifted the bolt, slide the bolt rearward and then immediately put the manual safety back in the .S. or .On safe. position and then continue the unloading process.

Regardless of whether your Model 788 rifle has a bolt-lock mechanism you must always follow the 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety. Special care must be taken during the loading and unloading process. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Always unload your rifle when not actually in use. Every firearm should be unloaded as soon as you are finished shooting . before taking it into your car, camp or house. Remington wants you to enjoy the shooting sports - safely! </div></div>


They were good rifles for the money. They took the Savage 340's place in the market after Savage dropped it. Some benchrest guys used the rear locking action for a short time on their rifles.

 

[Gunslinger67]

Re: Remington 788 .22-250

I love the 788s ,but never owned one in 22-250 so I cant vouch for any good loads with that caliber.

I have a 308 that is one of my favorite deer sticks, a 222 that loves the Hornady 50g V-Maxs so much , I havent bothered to try hand rolling anything yet .
A 243 that is ...well ... like most 243s , easy to shoot with most anything , and a 4th one that my smith re-barreled with a Lilja pipe in 6BR . I want to try and finish it this spring and try my luck at 600yd F Class.

My 308 was my Sunday club shooter for years in 100yd Hunter class and never let me down.I won alot of meat with 150gr Nosler BTs over 42.5 grs of VV N133....loaded .010 off the lands. I run the same load with 150 Accubonds for deer, great for clean headshots.

I didnt see anyone mention the bolt other than you and the handle, but the other thing is that since the lugs are at the rear , and even though there are 9 of them , it still doesnt like super hot loads due to the bolt's tube compressing . I cant say Ive experienced it first hand , but Ive sen it mentioned enough on other forums that it would be something to keep an eye on.

The rifles do have a cult following and I proudly claim membership to the same cult , I pick them up when I find them cheap in corners of old gun shops.

I still need a spare bolt if anyone has one kicking around.

Enjoy her and let us know your results with the 22-250 loads, Im sure I'll have one someday soon.