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Joined: Dec 2020
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OP
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I’ve always thought that lefty 788s were only available in 308 and 6mm; today the guy that owns the local gun shop tells me that they were made in 243 as well, and that he has one at home. Said he knows 2 other guys who have them as well. I have never seen one anywhere; can anyone confirm this?
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Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 736 Likes: 11
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 736 Likes: 11 |
I'm not an expert on this topic but based on everything I've seen & know, your initial thought that LH models were only available in 308 & 6mm appears to be correct based on information that is available about that rifle. I couldn't find a single documented example of a LH 788 in 243 anywhere. And I looked because I'm thinking of acquiring a LH 243 at some point. So what makes this strange is a single person claiming to be aware of three of these unicorns. Without additional information (rebore? rebarrel? special undocumented run?, etc.), I am unable to give you hope that you'll be the owner of the equally rare 4th copy of a LH 788 243. But I hope you prove me wrong & are able to pull that rabbit out of a hat.
Last edited by odonata; 02/11/23.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,711 Likes: 8
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
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Never heard of such a critter, very suspicious of his statements.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
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LH models were only made in 6MM & 308. If he has one it is likely the product of a barrel swap with a RH 243.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2019
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never heard of a lefty .243, but I would think it would be very easy to do a barrel swap.
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 116
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 116 |
He’s the type that gets very blustery if you call him out on anything; I just told him I’d like to see his. I’m assuming they’re re-barrels. I just had my 788 308 re-barreled with a 243 barrel from a 700, gonna shoot it tomorrow.
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2019
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If I remember correctly you can date the barrel. It should match up to the receiver date. That would be something that would likely be overlooked in a rebarrel. Does anyone know when the lefties were available? I have never even seen one in person and only know the .308 and 6mm were available for sure. My wife is a South paw and I've been watching for a long time, but have yet to see one.
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Joined: Nov 2022
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Campfire Regular
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Does anyone know when the lefties were available? 1969 ~ 1980 for both calibers.
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 116
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 116 |
If I remember correctly you can date the barrel. It should match up to the receiver date. That would be something that would likely be overlooked in a rebarrel. Does anyone know when the lefties were available? I have never even seen one in person and only know the .308 and 6mm were available for sure. My wife is a South paw and I've been watching for a long time, but have yet to see one. Gunbroker is gonna be your best bet; they’ve gotten spendy the last few years, but they show up there fairly frequently and it beats hitting endless gun shops and pawn shops for a needle in a haystack.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Tell him hes a liar. If any of them have one they have been rebarrelled
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
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He’s the type that gets very blustery if you call him out on anything; I just told him I’d like to see his. I’m assuming they’re re-barrels. I just had my 788 308 re-barreled with a 243 barrel from a 700, gonna shoot it tomorrow. If he's that way he may well be hiding something. It may be best to avoid him.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Campfire Regular
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I would be hesitant to mess with an original 788. Should have some collector value which will likely only grow. Putting a different barrel on an original 788 would decrease it's value I assume.
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Campfire Outfitter
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I had a guy tell me that the 788 carbines were available in every caliber offered.....
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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.222 Remington .223 Remington .22-250 Remington .243 Winchester 6mm Remington 7mm-08 Remington .308 Winchester .30-30 Winchester .44 Remington Magnum
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I had a guy tell me that the 788 carbines were available in every caliber offered..... I have seen them in 243 and 7mm-08.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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A right handed 788 in .243 just sold on another forum for $600.00
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Joined: Mar 2019
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I had a guy tell me that the 788 carbines were available in every caliber offered..... I have seen them in 243 and 7mm-08. I own a .243 carbine, and have made an offer on a 7mm08. I keep looking at the .308 carbine, but i just can't get excited about buying one.
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Joined: Mar 2019
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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A right handed 788 in .243 just sold on another forum for $600.00 I passed on a .243 walnut stock early production for $600 a few days ago. I probably should have bought it.
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I owned a Remington Model 600 in 308 WIN, awesome gun, loved carrying it. But the noise and the recoil.......
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