Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Price check - Remmy 788 in 223

Local store has a Remington 788 in 223 Rem, with 2 mags, Redfield scope mount (full length with a fold down peep) and a throw away Bushnell scope. Overall in very good to excellent condition. Asking $499.00.

223’s were real popular here but tough to find even back then. Some were even taking 222’s and converting them. I traded mine off many years ago and it’sa trade that still haunts me occasionally. If it were me and I was in the market I think that’s a very fair price given what I’ve seen. I looked hard at a lefty 6mm last month priced at $599 if that gives you some perspective

I wouldnt be surprised if that rifle is gone when you go back tomorrow to look at it.

This is a serious ? I mean no offense to anyone.

I had a 788 in 243 back in the 70s. It was decently accurate but that’s about it. I didn’t care for the rear locking lugs.

My ? Is, What makes them desirable today — given so many other choices ?

Jerry

Jerry, I hunted with a Rem788 for more than 30 years. During that time I bought around 40 other rifles. With a little adjusting handloads I got reasonably accurate in all of them. The 788 was the only one that would put all three bullets in the same hole at a 100...with factory ammo.

By the way, belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I get a little nervous about buying 40 year old rifles in calibers like 223, 243, 22-250, and 6mm. Always thinking that they're near the end of their barrel life. So I'd like a price that reflects that possibility.
But apparently the .223 was only offered in 1975. Could have some additional collector value which wouldn't affect it's value for me since I'd buy it to shoot.

BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!

I sold all of my 788s, a 223, 243, and 308, for between 375 and 450. I couldnt get them gone fast enough.

No doubt 788s are great, but for $499 you can get a new 700 all,at least, and maybe an SPS...both of which are superior....

Buy it, shoot it, and if it doesn't meet your accuracy expectations, re-sell it. The most accurate rifle I have ever fired, well, except for a real bench rest rifle that weighed 15 lb and had a 2 oz. trigger, was a 788 in .222. With Winchester factory ammo it would put five shots in one hole at 100 yards. I never should have sold that one, but I had limited funds at the time and was seduced by a Model 70 Sporter Varmint in .22-250. Such is life.

When new (early 70's to early 80's) 788's were originally a $99 rifle and could often be found on sale for as little as $69. Over the years I owned at least a half-dozen of them in 222 in 223, and yes they all shot very well. But the bolt is clunky, the magazine protrudes enough that it is not a comfortable rifle to hand carry. The triggers are generally horribly heavy because they use the same spring for the sear and trigger reset (pull). The triggers can be modified to be acceptable but one does have to be careful doing it because it requires some drilling, making a trigger reset screw/spring and getting it all in the correct spot. Parts are becoming problematic if something goes wrong with one.

Like a lot of things they are commanding higher prices because they are not made any more, not necessarily because they are superior. IMO for $499 would have to be a near new in the box.

As Ingwe mentioned get a 700 or if you want an inexpensive shooter try a Ruger American - ugly but no more so than the 788.

drover

As I said I meant no offense. When I had my 788 I was a newbie in the rifle world. I also didn't like the squared protruding mag. "squared' being the most important.

I'm glad to know there are not things about the 788 I didn't know.

Thnx

Jerry

Yup. Interesting in a trashy kind of way, but $500 for one, insane.

I love 788's but I wouldn't pay $500 for one! I have a Mossberg Patriot in wood stock that shoot's well under an inch. Paid about $450 out the door!

It will take a ton of work to make a new rem 700 shoot like a 788 always shoots. I have 788's in 7 different calibers all stock (except 2 that do have timney triggers).
Really hard to make reloads that equal what factory rounds do in ALL OF THEM. Ugly, yup Heavy, yup accurate, you betcha!
As far as a new 700 being superior, well you would be hard pressed to prove that to me .And I own a have dozen 700's
We all have opinions. The 788 has one of the fastest lock-up times to date for any factory rifle from any company.
Why do you think the price keeps going up on them ? There are hundred, of models of older firearms that will never rise in price like the 788's have been.
There are also hundreds of models that prices are rising a lot more so than on the 788's. I guess we all have choices and favorites, I have been shooting a 788 in 7mm08
since 1984. I like them.