Despite the looks and such ... They did the most important thing a rifle should do (shoot straight, over and over) at a very good price for the day.
Back in there day many a 788 could show up at a range and shoot right with some of the best of the bench crowd.
Just imagine a fellow with a full custom route paper puncher with handloads and then there is this newbie shooting right up there with him with his
UGLY, cheap factory thing, and many a time 'green' box factory ammo
Not all but many of the 788's were quite accurate and when they came in 7mm-08 those especially seemed 'scary' accurate, and the working stiff could buy it and a box of ammo without breaking the budget.
Just for reference, the 788 at one time was chambered in 30-30 and 44 mag. If I ever came across either I would seriously be tempted to buy.
