Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Why would a Remington 78 sell for so much?

I followed this ad on Gunbroker and I can't believe the final price on this Remington 78 chambered in 223. I thought this was a budget 700 even more so than the ADL. What am I missing?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=445832366

People can be ignorant at times
It's hard to say exactly why anyone does anything

Maybe it was someone's Grandfather's rifle

Or it could be a fake bid too

Could be lots of answers

It looked to be in great shape. Also, I've read that the 223's in the 78's tend to shoot lights out, so maybe that?

Originally Posted By: mcmurphrjk
Looking at Remington's site 788 production numbers These were only made in 1975. So might be relatively rare.

I mistakenly supplied information for a 788, not a 78. My mistake.

It's a model 78, not a 788. 78 is really a bare bones 700, and the 788 is a different animal.

The buyer has one feedback. Maybe he thought it was a 788??

Maybe someone was collecting 78's and needed the 223,who knows. I paid $259 brand new for mine.

I should start buying guns at Walmart and selling them on Gunbroker

I think you are right. They probably got the models confused.

Seems like I read somewhere that they were really rare in .223

My 1st deer rifle, which I still have is a 78 in .270

Mike

or maybe it really is worth that price...eight people bidding and 28 bids tells me that is the current market value

The 78 is held in pretty high regard in some Remington circles. That was as very nice looking rifle and the marketing in the ad was top notch to match. Very definately a fair auction w/bidders that knew how bad they wanted it.

The sportsman 78 in a .223 may in deed be a bit rare , have own several 78's and have some actions on customs rifles , have never seen an orginal in a .223

Same here,and that one looked to be in 'collectible' condition.

If you just want a Rem.223 that shoots well, any of the new SPS's would fit the bill. The 78 apparently has a little collector interest.

I'm gonna say that a collector wanted it. I've seen very few of them in 223.

I'd venture to say most 78s are bought to be donors, but it wouldn't make sense to pay that much for a donor. The short action 78s in general are much harder to come by than long actions. I guess a collector who wants to be a completetist and have one of every variation of whatever Remingtons he collects would pay top dollar for a cherry specimen. There's no reason for 788s to bring what they do for certain variations either since they were an "econo-gun" in their day. I've kind of had a mild desire for one in .30/30 lately and really nice ones bring way more than they really should. I certainly doubt any of the POS "econo-guns" of today will bring a premium 25 years from now...

Buyers, collectors, and shooters. Something is worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for it.

Those 78s are sure a good vintage Remington, made from '84-'88, B prefix 700. Not polished shiny but at least sanded instead of this blasted econo blue rustamatic chit. Maybe not $650 good but wayy better than the bottom of the line nowadays, right there with the best. They're smooth actions too. Stock is simple but slim, well shaped, stiff, and light with proper comb height. A lot going for it. Let a 223 go away for $390 a couple years ago. Heck, in '84 a shiny new 700 7mm RM Classic could be had for $320 or so. Big R did not put out a single chit model then compared to this last decade! Phuggin triangle barrels, X-marks, and the list goes on....

I agree with you that buying quality like that today would bring the price it brought. The Blue Book NIB is only $400 for it.

Side by side, it'd be only a fool that'd pick a current manufacture over a 78. Secret's out. But since bottom metal price has risen, are old BDLs worth $500 easily? Maybe. Those ADL plastic pukes aren't nothing to be proud of.