Got a 788 in .222 when they first hit the market in 1967. Local gun shop got four in on a Friday morning, 2 each in .222 and .22-250. By the time I got there Friday afternoon one .222 was all that was left. Those original ones had stocks of pretty good walnut. Mine, and all I've known of, have been accurate shooters. I think part of their popularity at the time was due to the fact that they were very reasonably priced, as accurate as any factory rifle available at the time (and a lot more accurate than most) and also, we just didn't have the huge selection of guns out there that we have today. My brother got a .243 in 73. It has a "hardwood" stock. The bolt handle did come off once in the mid-70's. He was living near Ilion at the time and took it right in the front door at Remington Arms. They took the gun, said "Wait here." Brought it out to the lobby a half-hour later with a new bolt fitted to it. No problems since. We both still have our 788's. As a matter of fact, I got mine out the other day, probably hasn't been fired since my boys were young teenagers, 20 years or so. Thought I'd load up some .222's and maybe use it for called coyotes this winter. Also, have a 3.3-10 AO Nikon scope that came on a Ruger Number 1 I bought this past summer. Replaced the Nikon with a Leupie and the Nikon's been on the shelf since. Figure I'll upgrade the .222 from the thirty-five year old fixed 6X Bushnell Banner that's on it, see how it shoots. I guess I'll always have a soft spot in my heart (head) for that clunky old 788.
