Have owned many a 788: 6mm Rem with 100 grainers, 22-250 with 55 grain bullets, 223 with Noler 40 gr.BT, all loaded at One grain under max never a problem. Built a 22-250 AI with factory barrel both on the 22-250 actions and 308 lenght actions no problems, Made a 250-3000 AI on a 308 lenght and neer max charges ran into pressure problems. Bolt became stickey, I now load to about an one grain under max 250-300 standard by using slower powder. The 250-300 AI has a PacNor 24' Factory contured Barrel with a 10 twist and MPI thumble whole (RH) stock and overhauled factory trigger shoots five shot groups into high 19's and low 20's. Rest shot 3/8 to 1/2 groups with handloads. Did have to re- barrel a 22-250 I bought used that was shot out and had a head space problem. I have owned the 6mm for 36 years, still shoots around 3/8" groups. Dad killed His last Mule Deer with it just before he died. Someday a grand child will get this one also. I know the 788 had short commings, Yet like many of the early cars had short commings it didn't stop them from beoming cLassics either.
