I enjoyed your video and history lesson. I purchased my 788 in 1967 for $106.99. I was 15 yrs old at the time. I still have this rifle and yes I have misplaced the magazine. I was addicted to hunting and shot 119 ground hogs the first year that I owned this rifle. A confirmed kill was hanging the chuck on a fence. This is an accurate rifle with several kills at 250-300 yards. I used to handload using Dupont IMR3031 with 46 grain hollow point bullets. I have a 6 power scope on my rifle. Ground hogs aren't near as plentiful as the coyote population has blossomed. Cheers
I have a 788 222 that I have had for 40 years your videos have made me get it back out after 20 years sitting in the cabinet very good rifle to shoot brings me back to the old days and get away from modern rifles and enjoy the old days
Sir, I enjoyed your video! I have owned a Rem 788 in .222 since 1979, new. It has been re-purposed several times over the years; but it has provided me enormous project enjoyment throughout. My loading over the years has centered around IMR 4198 and Hornady hollow points. 3000+ fps is easily attainable and the bullet is, yes, devastating on varmints out to 250 yards! Thank you for this report.
Thanks for your review, history and demonstration, sir. I just purchased this rifle today, the 16 inch barrel version! I already have the Savage 340D also in 222 Rem and it shoots great. Peace and God bless from Canada.
The venerable "Triple Deuce" is my all time favourite centrefire cartridge. With a Sierra 52gr. HPBT bullet ahead of a certain amount of IMR 4198, I can light matches at 100 yards. (Okay, maybe two times out of three... maybe.) The Remington 788 is an inherently accurate action, being an extremely solid, rigid action. The 788's awesome trigger also helps in that regard. About thirty years ago, a 'friend of a friend' accidentally drove over his 788, snapping the stock at the wrist. Thinking it was now useless, he gave it to me free. The rifle had not been well cared for and the bore was starting to pit and show erosion. The action was still fine. So, off it went to my local gunsmith who touched up the receiver threads and re-barreled it with a 24 inch medium sporter, match grade tube with no iron sights. He cleaned up and polished the trigger and put it all on a nice walnut stock made to my dimensions. I toyed with the idea of a recoil pad but wisely let the gunsmith talk me into a proper chequered steel butt plate taken from one of his other 'fallen angels'. Rust blueing, a classic London oil finish and some practical chequering finished it off. All of that cost far more than a new one but what the heck. The only extra adornment is a steel grip cap from the same source as the butt plate. A Leupold 2-7x33mm Compact scope atop Conetrol bases and rings and I was away. After working up my pet load using the IMR 4198 (back then it was with a 53 gr. bullet) I zeroed it for 200 yards. On a good day, it put five rounds into just under an inch at 200 yards, a genuine half minute of angle. On occasion, I lucked into quarter minute groups. (I have a few, signed by witnesses as souvenirs. Hey, bragging rights are bragging rights.) Where I live, in north central BC, varmint hunting is not a big deal, limited to the occasional coyote hunt at the request of some local farmers I know. So my pet custom 788 is mostly a range rifle. That said, it's still my prized rifle in my favourite cartridge. A few friends have offered to buy it just to get me to stop showing off with it. They can wait to get it from my estate.
Sometimes money is of secondary importance, especially when you have a goal in mind. After reading your comment, I can clearly see how much you think of your rifle. Certain guns are the gems of our collection, and I'm sure your 788 is one of them.
I swear to God..... l made almost the Identical post last week pertaining to this gun. Same bullet, with a boat tail, same powder, ccI primer, super x case. Cover with a dime at (150) yds. No-Shit. Daily record of mine, (9) Woodchucks, Southern-tier of Buffalo, N.Y.
Enjoyed your vid OC.Bought that same manual in 1978.Look at how it compares the .222magnum and .223. Thanks Again. God bless the U.S. Tennessee and the big green R. Doug
Yes, different manuals feature varying loads for the same caliber and bullet weights. Looking back now, it's a shame that the .222 rem. magnum never really caught on like the .223 or the .222. Glad you liked the video.
I love my 222 Rem Mag! It’s in a 700 though. I had a 788 chambered in .243 that was stolen 🥺. I do have a 788 chambered in .223 that has a Canjar teigger, great rifle!
@@craignmz5264 I'm sure your 700 Remmy in .222 rem. mag is also a tack-driver. The extra power of the .222 magnum extends your effective range another 50 yards or so over the .222 and .223. I would love to have a .222 magnum in a 721, just because of the nostalgia a gun like that would provide.
Nice job on the 222 video! I have a 1970s Remington 700 ADL in 222 and after years of load development, I can only get consistently about 11/16" group with 50g bullet if seated a few thou into the lands, 19.2 grains IMR 4198. Fantastic rifle ypu ha e and nice reloading! God Bless.
I went to my local Wal-Mart a few days ago to check their ammo display, and I noticed that there was no .223 or 556 ammo available anymore, neither were there any pistol calibers such as 9mm or .357. I did notice that there was some Remington .222 along with other popular hunting calibers such as the .243 win, .270 win. 30-06, 30-30, and others. I guess they are trying to make some kind of anti-tactical/anti-gun statement, I'm not really sure.
Great video man i have a rem 722 in 222 rem built in 1953 still shoots great i love the 222 rem way better than the 223 rem . I got a nice group at 100 yds with 50grn v max and 23.6 grains of ar comp powder .
The main reason the Remington 581,s and 541 series of rimfires were such tack drivers was because of that same bolt design. 9 rear locking lugs make the bolt very sturdy and allow for VERY QUICK LOCKTIMES that just increase a rifles accuracy. Would kill for one of these gems in 222 rem magnum. One of the finest varmint rounds ever produced.
Yes, but sadly the .222 Remington magnum cartridge has lost it's popularity to the .223. I'm afraid that the .222 is suffering the same fate. I guess people want a single chambering to cover all others. Personally I think the .222 is a superior cartridge because of it's longer elegant neck, and longer barrel life it enjoys.
@@CumberlandOutdoorsman yup. Same here, he 223 was just made popular cuz the military adopted it. It holds NO EDGE over a 222 rem mag .Just GOOD PR BS.
Ah my favorite round, the 222 or triple deuce. I've been shooting it since 1980 in a M700 BDL, and along with numerous prairie dogs, crows, coyotes, black birds and turkeys, I have also taken a few deer using a 63gr Sierra SMP. While my rifles do like the 4198 powders, my best varmint loads were with H335, H322 and Varget. I used this round in my BR rifle for some exceptional 5 shot bug hole groups, and today, I still own that old BR rifle wearing its original 8-32x target scope. I still use that rifle and round in 300 yard golf ball shoots. Thanks for the video and trip down history lane.
Sir, I enjoyed this video. Great to see a classic rifle and cartridge featured and see it perform so well. I use a Sako 85 in .223 for foxes and sometimes roe deer here in Scotland, and also the diminutive Muntjaq deer in England, but I'm sure that I would enjoy your rifle just as much (maybe more!). Best Wishes.
Sako's are mighty fine rifles. I would love to own a Vixen in .222, or .223. I'm sure any Sako is capable of fine accuracy. I would also love to get a chance to hunt roe deer some day. They are small deer, but rank high on my list in terms of fine game animals. Thanks for your comments and Best Wishes to you as well sir.
Funny how you said you were looking for one in 7mm-08. Back in the 80"s I was looking for something lighter to hunt deer. I almost bought a 788 in that caliber but didn't know much about it so I did some research. Working in a ballistics lab I had access to all the gun magazines so I went at it. Articles at the time praised the 788 as being as accurate if not more accurate as the 700. Bolt throw was 60 degrees and bolt travel was probably at least a half inch shorter than front locking bolts. Couple this with a very rigid receiver and it was no wonder it was so good. Anyway I missed the 788, it was sold when I got back and I bought a Sako instead. Yes it was twice the price but the stock fit me much better and it looked better. I still think of that 788 now and then and regret my decision at the time only because I still think it would have been a tack driver even if it was a carbine with the short barrel. Now if Remington could bring back a version of the 788 with a better stock and trigger in 6 or 6.5 Creed, they would probably have the new go to rifle for these long range competitions. I take that back, make it one in 6.5 Grendel with an even shorter bolt travel. Imagine what that would feel like to shoot.
I think who tries never left it again. In Europe for roe deer and fox works well. I believe that 222 it's not common since people thinks that needs necessarily a big cartridge for any animal.
There are triggers that are available to improve the accuracy of the 788. I asked an old gunsmith friend of mine once of what was the most accurate rifle he ever worked on and sighted in. His answer was a Remington 788 in a 22-250 caliber. He could not believe the accuracy of the rifle as he said all five rounds after sighting it in, were three bullets in the same hole and two that were halfway inside the one hole.
Great video! Would you consider doing a video series on all the calibers that 788s were manufactured in? Might be your niche in the youtube community. Could also include 581, 721, and 722. Tehre are lots of fans of the older Remingtons
Thanks for the comment. I plan on doing some more reviews on the 580 series rimfire rifles. I am currently trying to locate the 580, and 582 models, and already own the 5-teen series from the 510 to the 513. As you probably already know these are the predecessors to the 580 series rimfires. If and when I come across other 788 caliber chamberings, I would be delighted to make videos reviewing them.
I very much appreciate your knowledge on the Remington rifles . Will the magazine out of the Remington 581 work in a Remington 77 Nylon ? Thanks ahead of time for your response .
Yes they will. In this video about the Nylon 66, I actually show a 77 magazine that I have used in my 581. I think you'll enjoy this video; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pQaqOiQ2kIE.html
I had a 788 arbiter in -08 what a great shooting rifle 3 shot dime size groups using factory 120 grain Remington ammo, not sure Remington loads that any longer as I sold that rifle 20 years ago sadly I do have a pre Vixen Sako 222 and what a great rifle that is
My first rifle was a 788 in 308, and it is still one of the most accurate rifles I've owned. Just as good or better than Ruger, CZ, T/C costing much more. If you can find one, buy it.
I have owned and shot several of these rifles, back when I was in the gun selling business I have sold many of these rifles using the lione that Remington dis-continued the production of this line as it shot better than their flagship model 700 line of rifles and I really believe that even though no one at Remington would admit to it but having owned and shot both 700's and 788's I have never shot a 788 that did not outshoot a model 700
European hunters have good taste in guns and cartridges. It seems the .222 Rem. has remained popular in Europe, whereas it's popularity has dwindled here in America. That is rather unfortunate in my opinion.
Very nice , I love the 788 and the 222. My 222 is in the mowhawk 600 rem. I have cast lead bullet loads that duplicate the 22 mag. And shoot under a dime. During the 22 rimfire shortage. A little 2400, a peace of old lead pipe. A few wheel weights and I had a renewable supply of squirrel ammo. I have a load for Turkey also. As a game warden , I used the mowhawk 600 in 222 for road injured deer. A situation where extreme accuracy is a must , and after the shot nothing follows. No exit of the bullet and instant effect. I used the 63gr semi point for this work. It's a great fit for the utv ,to do a ride around after the hay is cut and worry the ground hogs. My mowhawk has a new straight grain black walnut stock. And the floor plate replaced with an after market metal plate. As for the 788, I have them in 243win, 308 win. And 30 30 win. The 30 30 came with the black walnut stock. The other two stocks are from Boyd's as is the mowhawks. My mowhawk 222 cost 144.00 in 1978.I Still have my receipt . And its rode along with me on a career
Wow! That's quite a story. I thought of making some lead bullets for my .222, but haven't got the mold yet. A friend of mine once had a Remington Mohawk in .222 and he regrettably sold it years ago. Now he wishes he still had it. You are a smart man for holding on to yours because as I mentioned in the video, these older Remingtons are getting harder to find because more and more people have discovered just how well these old rifles were made. I am considering making a part 2 to this video. Glad you enjoyed this video.
I have a Remington 722in 222 one hole groups at 100 yards are almost a guarantee if you do your part I found nosler 34 grain varmint grenade hollow points and 21 grains of imr4198 shoot great and will cut a woodchuck in half at 200 yards
Tengo un Winchester modelo 70 en 222 rem con un lente leupold 3x9 x 40, lo recargo con polvora hogdon 4198 y puntas GMX hornady 55 gr y sin problema abate venados. Tamaulipas México.
Ive got a 1980 carbine version in .308 ,with a burris compact 3x9 with those rings and mount , i bought it from a friend 7 years ago for $125.00 , its never for sale
Yes I do. It is a one piece mount made by Burris especially for the 788. I'm not sure if it is still available, but I know for sure that the rings are the older style that are more rounded and streamlined than the new style. I think I got the whole set from an ebay auction. It's been some years ago.
@@CumberlandOutdoorsmanloved your video, I also own a mod.788 in 222 cal....shot heaps of goats, foxes and more with it over 30yrs.... need a new trigger sear for mine but can't cv find one anywhere here in Australia...would appreciate anyone over your way who may know of one available. Thanks for the video cheers from Down Under
Excellent content. I’m new to the .222 and purchased a Kimber of Oregon M84 - going to mount a scope on it. Maybe you’d have some input - pigs, coyote, raccoons and the likes will be taken with this rifle. Thank you 😊
@@CumberlandOutdoorsman it's a shame they're destroying a part of America's history. I wish I was a billionaire I would buy Remington and put it back to what it was American product with quality and pride.
Such joy to see my grandson started off with a 222. Never developed a flinch ever since , now he competes internationally in reap , shot the big 5 before he turned 21 and never looked back,. The 222 was always his 22lr . Start them right
Enjoyed your video about the great 222 rem my favourite calibre, I have a Ruger M77 stainless synthetic in 222rem and love this rifle two if my friends have this calibre and have taken a few roe deer with it. Shooters in France and some other European countries are banned from using military calibres such as 223 and 7.62 but not here in Scotland,
The Ruger M77 is an absolutely great gun. It is pretty much a Mauser 98 design with modern styling in Ruger fashion. I have heard of M77's in .222 that print 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards, (which is outstanding). A friend of mine has a Ruger M77 in .270 Winchester and is adorned with a Mannlicher style walnut stock. Perhaps I will borrow it to do a review.
I believe back in the 60s, .222 was the Olympic target round at 100metres ? With gold medal 🏅 groups around .300 !! Alot of Sakos winning, cheers 🍻 from Australia 😊
in case some don't know. the 788 was known for extreme accuracy. the reason is Remington had a contract with Douglas barrel company. they made the match grade barrels for these little guns,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Back in the day the meat hunters used 222 or 222 mag to take moose and anything else in Alaska and they used 222 because it was cheap to reload do you know how many rounds you can load out of a pound of powder a lot !
Excelente video. I just happen to have obtained an almost unfired Remington 700 with a Leupold V 1.5-5X , but I have to go into a surgery before using it. Your video is an additional Motivation to work in my recovery! Thanks a lot
I’ve had a bunch of 222’s such as Sako Vixen (both the normal and a Varmint version) and Winchester 70. Currently using a Sako A1. Really nice cartridge. Thanks for a nice video 👍🏻
Great video. I enjoyed it very much. Also learned a lot. I enjoy my 222s as well. Along with an old Remington 700 and a Savage 340D, I just got a new Savage model 25 in 222. They're all a joy to shoot. The 222 has been doing everything all these new cartridges are supposed to since 1950. I wish you well.
About 7 years ago I found new-in-box 788 in 222 rem. at a gun store in San Diego. I was thrilled since the owner was asking $425. I knew the inherent accuracy of the 788 platform, having owned the same gun in 22-250 many years earlier, which I foolishly sold. The 222 is a pleasure to shoot. Good video!
Wow! A new in box 788 in .222 Remington is a jewel to find! Personally I'd rather have the .222 than the 22-250. They are more pleasurable to shoot, and the barrels and brass last much longer.
I love the .222. I have my Pop’s Revelation model 225, which is same as the Savage 340, in .222 Remington that he bought new in 1962 at the local Western Auto Store. I was three years old at that time. This is the first center fire rifle that he started teaching me to shoot and reload. It’s still a great sub moa rifle. I have taken deer with it with 60 grain bullets. It works. No it’s not my regular deer rifle.
Great Video as usual.. I really enjoy 22 centerfires ..im a groundhog hunter from western NC...THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO BRING US THESE GREAT VIDEOS... IM A FAN FOREVER..!!
@@CumberlandOutdoorsman one of my favorite loads was BLC-2...23 GRAINS WITH A 53 GRAIN MATCH HORNADY HOLLOW POINT..CCI Br PRIMER .. Its not maxium ...but great accuracy in my 722 Remington
Same one remington 788 .222 my papwa had that i own now has the original Glenfield scope on it. Is ther any way I can find out the year it was made? Relly enjoyed your video.
Yes there are some stamped letters, and/or numbers on the left side of the barrel close to the chamber end. Here is a link to the barrel date codes. www.remingtonsociety.org/manufacture-dates/
A friend of mine has a Savage 340 chambered in .222. He uses it on varmints around his place, and absolutely loves it. This is one of those great old cartridges that just seems to hang on because there are lots of folks out there that own a rifle chambered in it.
my 788/.222 load is nosler 50gr ballistic tips infront of 23.5 grains of bm2 powder , have owned the gun since new when i bought it in 1981 . might try a few of the loads you mention .
The 788 increased in value in the last couple years. I don't know why. It was less than 100 dollars new usually had a very basic uncheckered stock and the unusual locking lug. I have one in .243. It only likes 100 gr bullets. They can be finicky in my experience to get them to shoot well.
I bought my 788 222 new in 72’. The trigger was very hard pull. I put a CanJar trigger in it early 73’. I used a Lyman All American 10x fine crosshair scope on it for years as well as the wood stock although bedded the action in 73’. In 88’ put it into a Lee Six ( Six Enterprises) beaver tail glass stock and changed up to a Leupold M8 12x. Still have that rifle so almost 48 years now. It made me look better than I was as a shooter and even 9 year old kids could shoot
222triple I saw your comment on the Rem 788 on Utube. Concur with your experiences. Bought one new in ‘78 and have converted it three times to different endeavors. Through all projects, the rifle shoots better than I can hold. It began life with, what I called a, target barrel. After match target shooting it in two iterations, I had it turned down and shortened for a sporter, putting it back in the OEM stock. That was disappointing, beyond 100 yds. So, I ordered a Boyd’s laminated classic stock and modified that to suit my fancies and bedded the bbl/action. New delights in varmint and small game hunting. My pet load uses Sako cases (I brought home from Germany 40 years ago), IMR 4198, and Hornady HPs at 3030 fps. Case life and bbl life have been remarkable
Bert, Also my dad’s name. Don’t know if you know the history of fiberglass stocks. Chet Brown and Lee Six we’re shooting bench matches in the late 60’s and going from west ( San Jose CA) to east ( Camp Perry etc) their Wood stocks would warp dramatically and they came up with fiberglass stocks . I met them at Chet’s place in 73’ where they showed me their two piece molds and a homemade oven to cure the fiberglass with heat lamps. They were both engineers for PacBell I think. Anyway we were talking about my 222 788 and Chet said he won a match with one in 222 with a match barrel and glass stock. He said the wind was very switchy and hard to read so he would load up the mag and one in the chamber and in between wind switches would fire of five fast rounds. Lee and Chet quit doing business together and I became friends with Lee and went on a Squirrel shoot that was a hoot and a pig hunting on Santa Cruz Island. Sadly he passed away several years ago most of my stocks are old school Lee Six stocks. Those were the days. My 788 birch stock was free floated and bedded and shot really small groups. However going from the high & dry NE California climate to Los Padres National forest west of King City my stock would warp ( even though sealed) enough to touch the barrel and it had a fair gap. One trip it would be 2” off to the right next trip 2” off to the left so in 88’ put it in a Lee Six beavertail stock and never had that issue again My varmint load back in the day was 19.3 gr of IMR 4198 using 50 Sierra Blitz and Remington brass. It still has the original barrel on it 24”. Also shot the Sierra match Bullets very well 52/53 gr Cheers/mike
222triple Mike, Loved hearing from you and your experiences. Likewise, I converted the atrocious Rem factory trigger to Canjar, about 1982. What a wonderful difference. Choice - unset, about what one would appreciate over the factory; but SET,...a completely new experience! We have somethings in common. Would enjoy an association. blawrence1223@gmail.com
Bert 222 has the standard CanJar trigger which was about 35$ in early 73’. In late 70’s picked up a CanJar Set trigger for my Ruger 77 converted from 7X57mm to 244 slow twist 1-12” 24” Shilen match barrel, work done by Stu Harvey also a supreme bench shooter in his day and held a nation record for years and machinist. The trigger not set is very light I’d guess a pound and I have rarely used the set function and then only on a bench. Guess maybe 4oz but I don’t have a gauge. It’s also in a Lee Six Beavertail stock. Looked like a swat rifle before it’s time lol
You can use a 62 grain bullet, but I wouldn't recommend it. The 1 in 14 inch twist rifling of these guns perform best with 45 to 55 grain bullets. These rifles shoot at their optimum best in the 50 grain realm of bullet weights.
"Will outshoot any other .22 centrefire cartridge "....get real...those groups are nothing more than average...I've owned several.222's and they've never been any more accurate than any of the many .223's/22-250 I've owned and certainly NOT more accurate than my current .22br foxing rifle!.... you're making out this calibre to something it isn't!
I love my 222 Rem. Cal. in my Rem, M-600, w/Vent-rib, Win.(post-64) M-70/222Rem.,Savage M-340,222Rem.,& favorite rem. M-788/222Rem. I own &shoot my 22Hornets, Ruger M-77, Win. M-43 / & Marlin M1894, 218 Bee. my 223 Rem, 5.56 220 Swift, but my go-to-varmiter cal. is my 222 Rem. Great video, Thanks
Ive had 2 rem 788s....this is what ive done and learnt Cases wont eject due to scope rail....ive just found if i put in a weaker ejector spring they gently eject. Magazines rattle....no good for stealthy hunting.... fix, put silicon or glue material on side of magazine where the magazine rattles against floor plate. Replace trigger with timney trigger.... Have mine bedded at front and rear action screws. Had one rebarelled to 17rem...shoots amazing. Use fine allen key through hole in bolt shroud to remove firing pin. I prefer round firing pin to the flat style.... A raceway on the bolt can drag over a cartridge in the magazine scrapping off brass specs that build up over time. Fix... carefully remove thst 90° sharp edge...then ..smoother bolt operating and no brass specks in action. Ive moved to rem 700 so i csn use bix n andy tacsport Pro 2 stage trigger...if only that would fit on rem 788....😢 Both rem 788s were 222....
Great video. I have a Marlin XS7 in .222Rem , great rifle , pleasure to shoot. I believe this chambering was export only and not sold in USA. 1/9 Twist barrel is a bonus.Cheers from Australia.
100yrds is nothing for a .222; 400yrds isn't much either! You could drop a Stag at 600 -1,000yrds if you had the sense and coordination to put the bullet in the right spot! The damage that that little 50 gm bullet does when it hits at 3,200 fts is amazing. Just saying from hunting Deer and Thar in the mountains of NZ and wild Boar and Goats etc in the low country. The . 222 is a real hunters rifle, all that B/S about .308's is for people with small what do you call its! Sorry Just saying!
My uncle which is long gone now he shot 222 almost exclusively and he used 4198 powder and also BLC-(2) in his so knowing his loads when I got a model 700 BDL in one in the 90’s general shoot 50 grain bullets in it very inherently accurate cartridge 223 won’t shoot as accurate even though it decent
