Remington 788 info

[beerbucksducks]

I am considering a trade for a 788 chambered in 250 savage. The owner states that it was believed to be a 22-250 that was rebarreled to 250 savage. The barrel is unmarked but the chamber cast shows it to be a 250 savage. My question is, what is the mag length (max OAL)on a 788 22-250? From what I see online the 308 case magazines will not work in the 22-250s. I am concerned with the short oal to fit the mag and it eating up case capacity. The owner doesn’t know the max OAL for the magazine or the chamber. Any other thoughts or concerns are appreciated! I’ve always been interested in the .250 savage and the 788 but I have never owned either.


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[WoodBow]

I have a 788 in .243. I can measure the magazine length with a micrometer for you if it will be any help.

788's have a bit of a cult following. They are nostalgic for those of us that grew up using them. Solid shooters with nothing fancy about them.

 

[beerbucksducks]

Thanks! That would be great. It might be helpful to others if we get the different mag lengths posted for comparison. I couldn’t find much info online.


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[Tmac]

I have a stock 788 in 22-250. It’s a very short action, suspect specific to that coal. I looked at making it a 250 Savage and decided not to after running into several oal issues. So if that one was a real short action 22-250 made into a 250 Savage I suspect you will have a 250 Savage light at best. Just not enough room.

 

[beerbucksducks]

That is what I was afraid of. Thank you


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[TaperPin]

Very good shooters. The 250-3000 is the original name for 250 savage. Since the 243/308 have the same head diameter and only vary by 3/16” in col I’d be surprised if they wouldnt feed the 250 ok, but that’s just me thinking out loud.

Back in the day these ugly ducklings sold for $100 used when a good deal on a used 700 adl was $125 - now they are selling for $400-$500.

The factory trigger is very basic and not adjustable, but it lends itself to having the sear surfaces polished and spring pressure reduced to 2 lbs or so. There is an old magazine article in American Rifleman (?) from early 1980’s that describes how to diy it. Aftermarket triggers are still available.

If it shoots good it’s probably a $400 gun, shoots really good $500, and even if it can’t hit the barn wall someone like me would buy it for $300 just to rebarrel. I’ve wanted to pick one up and have a match grade barrel installed as an ugly weird old rifle to beat the nephews with at the 500 yard range. Lol

 

[Wapiti1]

I looked in my DeHaas book, but he doesn't give action lengths, just inside mag lengths. 22-250 is 2.410" and .308 (and 6mm Rem) is 2.875" inside length.

That said, I know the 788 came in at least 3 action lengths with different bolt stops, and bottom metal to accommodate the different magazines. I've worked on several of these.

Jeremy

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

I love 788s. I’d say get it and have fun.

 

[beerbucksducks]

I looked in my DeHaas book, but he doesn't give action lengths, just inside mag lengths. 22-250 is 2.410" and .308 (and 6mm Rem) is 2.875" inside length.

That said, I know the 788 came in at least 3 action lengths with different bolt stops, and bottom metal to accommodate the different magazines. I've worked on several of these.

Jeremy

Perfect, thank you! 2.410 isn’t quite as bad as I thought (still not ideal). Can anyone confirm that 2.410 oal will feed and cycle in their 22-250? Or what factory 250 sav ammo measures (2.515 being saami)?


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[DakotaBPNW]

I have a .243 788. My magazine inside measures right around 2.860”. I have loaded rounds that measure 2.770” that feed and cycle without issue.

 

[tallsdyotehunter]

If it was a factory 22-250 it is the "short" action of the 788 family 6 3/4 screw spacing if i remember right. These are small, they made 222, 223, 30-30, and 22-250 in the "short" action. 44mag was a weird littler yet beast and then the "long" action was for the 243, 308, 7mm-08, 6mm Rem. I am certain that the 2.410" number is right for mag length and you wont get anymore in it unless you go single shot. Have fun

 

[beerbucksducks]

If it was a factory 22-250 it is the "short" action of the 788 family 6 3/4 screw spacing if i remember right. These are small, they made 222, 223, 30-30, and 22-250 in the "short" action. 44mag was a weird littler yet beast and then the "long" action was for the 243, 308, 7mm-08, 6mm Rem. I am certain that the 2.410" number is right for mag length and you wont get anymore in it unless you go single shot. Have fun

Thanks for the info! I decided to pass on it, given the length restrictions.


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