Hey guys, I ran across a deal on a 6mm rem. I've been looking for a 6mm for a while now and thought this one was intriguing. It is a left handed remington 788 with a factory synthetic stock and factory iron sights. I'm thinking the barrel is 24" long but It may be 22". How much would this rifle be worth? I've heard these rifles were extremely accurate. I know there is an almost cult like following in regards to the remington 788 but why?? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.....

For what it's worth, I don't think 788s ever came from the factory with synthetic stocks.

Yeah, I think they were all birch stocks. Very fast lock time IIRC. There are a couple on GB for about $600, I've been watching for one but with a bit more rational price.

There is some collector value to the lefties due to the relatively low numbers produced in that chambering, the only other one being 308 Win in greater numbers. Realistically a nice one with the factory sights would probably bring $450-500 on gunbroker. One like you described is probably worth $300. LH factory wood takeoff stocks are rare as hen's teeth.

If you are looking for a reliable hunting rifle, you probably won't be disappointed. I have a left-handed 788 in 6mm Rem. and it shoots very well. I'm happy with it.
I agree that it is probably an aftermarket stock. I've never seen a 788 with a synthetic stock.
As for what it's worth, it's only worth what you are willing to pay for it. If you are looking to turn it over and make a few bucks you'd probably have to pick it up for $400-$450.

Jerry

Interesting post to me as my son bought a used one (LH 6mm 788 Rem) over 25 years ago as his first rifle. They are only semi-left-handed as his ejects the cases to the right.

It has been very accurate in-spite of a heavy trigger pull. He didn't shoot it for several years and the trigger froze up. Several shots of carburetor cleaner fixed the problem.

The safety is very easy to bump off when carried by a sling on the left shoulder because just brushing his wool coat will take it off safety. Empty chamber while hiking for this rifle!

I picked one up about 2 years ago with sights and a spare magazine for $305 out the door. I felt like I stole it! Most will bring $450 to $500 as long as they are in good condition. I am a cult leader for 788's. I have all 9 calibers. They never made a synthetic factory stock. I've seen some walnut on the early production 788's, but most are birch. I haven't had a 788 that didn't shoot pretty darn good. The 30-30 will change most peoples mind about 30-30 accuracy. My 6 is a consistant 3/4" gun with about anything I put in it. I would like to see the stock that's on it, if you pick it up, post some pics.

It would be worth checking to see if the original safety/trigger have been replaced.

It would look good next to the one I've owned for about 40 years and is still my go-to whitetail gun. I've never seen or heard of them in factory synthetic. I saw one go at auction about a year ago around $450 in average condition, and saw one about the same time go for $675, but it was in pristine shape with a decent scope. Prices are pretty caliber-specific.

We have purchased 3 788's in the past 10 years all for under $225 and wouldn't sell them for twice that

Thanks guys, that answers a lot of questions that were in my mind. I didn't know for sure if they made them with synthetic stocks, but now I know they didn't. It's in great shape and kind of calling to me. I don't really mind the right hand eject and left hand bolt and of the ones I've shot, they've been tack drivers (both chambered for 222). Another question: What is the best mount and rings for these things as I think the reciever was only drilled for 3 holes (2 in front and 1 in the rear).

788 mags in 6mm Rem are very hard to come up with. the factory ones used to bring $90 if you lose yours. Fella told me awhile back that some outfit started making them for about $55 ea. I looked for a good right handed one for years,saw a few but the owners were too proud of them ,finally ended up with a used M77R for less money than it would have took to get a 788. Saw a beat to hell one with no finish left on it in 22-250 awhile back for $275, makes me smile everytime I see one cause that one was the hardest used outfit I ever saw. The previous owner had pop riveted a 6" length of brass toilet tank chain to the bottom of the mag and wood screwed the other end to the side of the stock.Guess he bought one to many mags for it LOL. Magnum Man

That's freekin hilarious.......

Redfield, Leupold, and Burris have all made steel bases for the 788. The odd thing about these mounts is that you will be looking for an extra long action base. Odd for the 788's, everything else would be a short action. Looks like Midway has them in stock. Weaver also makes bases, I just prefer the steel. Here's a link.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/11...se-remington-788-extra-long-action-gloss

Midway also has 6mm magazines for $37.99, it's one of the Numrich ones. The old factory ones used to bring $60-$75 when you could find one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/683241/gpc-magazine-remington-788-6mm-remington-3-round-steel-blue

Good shooting

Numrich has 6mm mags for about 30 bucks. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=4346

Looks to me like a 788 carbine in 30-30 would be a cinch conversion to 375 Winchester!! That'd get my attention.

Wrong sized hole in the barrel.

I had a right hand 788 in 6mm for about 5 years, it was a shooter. I replaced it with a #1 in 6mm, sure wish the #1 shot even close to the 788.

Just put it on hold and it comes with the original wood stock too (so that is a relief, phewwww...). I've been eyeballing this thing for too long so I decided to just buy it!! Maybe now Nsaqam will get off my butt about not having any left handed rifles

You're beginning to see the light BSA!

This is encouraging!

I was hoping you'd run across my post . I listened to you and decided to buy the rifle. I've been going in and fondeling it too much anyway, I think the gunshop owner was ready to start charging me or raise the price....

Encouraging, and a step in the right direction. But it doesn't count until he buys a new lefty to drive demand for more production.

BSA, go forth and buy thee a new lefty.

I will as soon as winchester starts making them. Damn bastids!!

Left handed repro stock:

http://www.gunville.com/productDetails.aspx?prodid=46

Thanks Carlos, I created a shortcut to that so when I feel the need to get a nice walnut stock for it, it will be easy to look up. Great find my friend....

I hear you. Wanted a Winchester, and found a New Haven LH M70 in 300 WSM Fwt at Gander Mountain. But the bastids were awfully proud of it ... like $899 proud of it. Kept an occasional eye on it until it finally went on sale. It be mine now. Don't know if I'll ever get one of the SC M70's assuming they come out with lefty's eventually. I never thought Winchester would ever make Model 71's again, but darned if they haven't. Of course, I already purchased a Browning 71 carbine a few years prior to that happening. I've got a knack for that kind of thing.

old 71's are cool but very spendy.....

I had a gammut of 788's including a LH 6mm. All of them were accurate as all get out but the one issue I had with them was with the bolt. Obviously in old school fashion, it didn't lock down with the safety and while carrying it with a sling the bolt would easily open a bit. Just enough that when I'd slip the safety off to shoot, it wouldn't shoot. It took me one lost buck mule deer to figure that one out. After that I'd slip the safety off then make sure the bolt was fully closed before attempting to shoot.

The LH M70's in the WSM chamberings are expensive but the ones with a .473" boltface are absolutely ridiculous.

Congrats bsa! I've always liked the 788. They aren't fancy but they sure do shoot. I've got a LH 788 6mm myself.

For whatever reason I've always liked the rear locking lug actions like the old Schultz & Larsen's, the Colt Sauer's, and the 788's.
Heck I even like the action on the incredibly ugly French MAS 36!

They always seem to feed well because the cartridge doesn't have to jump the locking lug abutments like it does on front lug actions.

Yep, it's a neat little rifle. I'll pick it up tomorrow afternoon and start refinishing the birch stock. I told the gunshop owner I'd buy it if he had the original wood stock for it and he could keep the plastic stock. He said, "wait a minute, I think I have it here in the back". Glad I finally asked about it.....it's (the stock) got some dings and scratches in it but shouldn't be too hard to get to looking good again...

Matt, the funny thing about this is I bought some leupold rings from you to go on my new 788. What a coincidence . Not the normal type of mount or rings for one of these but I wanted to keep all the original sights on the rifle and figured this would be just the ticket. Thanks again....: