788 .243 with Walnut Stock?

[tholt1]

I recently inherited a maple stocked 788 chambered in .243 Winchester. The date code begins with an 'O' (as in the BLACKPOWDERX code) but I can't seem to match it up to any dates that make sense? The gun has a five digit serial number 062XXX (unless you count the 0 as one). I have two friends who are 788 collectors who keep telling me I have what is very likely an early, early .243 788. Has anyone ever seen a rifle like this? Thanks in advance for the help.

[admin]

This is a stock off evaluation of the date code?

[tholt1]

No sir, I can pull the stock and check for another date code? Where would I look? I've only used the barrel date code to date Remingtons before?

[admin]

I'm just suspecting the real date code is under the stock which is often the case.

I also don't want to put my foot in it, these are not my bag of tea but a leading ZERO hum ...
O would be in the future I think in 7nn serials.

We need a 7nn guy here ... HELP.

[tholt1]

I really hope someone comes along who knows these guns and can help! I can post pictures or whatever is needed to help ID it.

[admin]

I really hope someone comes along who knows these guns and can help! I can post pictures or whatever is needed to help ID it.

Pull off the stock, I'm sure the right date codes will be apparent.

[tholt1]

Admin, I made a mistake in my posting; this gun has a WALNUT stock, not a maple one. I'm sorry, is there any way to edit my post to correct this?

[600RemGuy]

Mine is a first year 30/30 and starts 026XXX. What are the "characters" where the date stamp is? Walnut stocks came on the 788s for the first two years. Oh and one more thing. I would really really like to know the spacing distance between the action screws!

[600RemGuy]

No sir, I can pull the stock and check for another date code? Where would I look? I've only used the barrel date code to date Remingtons before?

There will be no other code but for a number possibly stamped on the bottom of the action. Look close. It is likely all there but you may not see it all. I bought a 700 that was said to have only on letter of the code. The other was there for me to see!

[tholt1]

I pulled the stock last night and verified there are no other date codes on the barrel or action. The date on the left hand side of the barrel is '9OR'. The bottom of the '9' is very lightly struck, but that is the code, best we can ascertain. I can measure the distance between the screws on the bottom, if you'd like? I probably won't be able to get to it til Sunday. Any other measurements you need? Serial on mine is '0621XX'

[600RemGuy]

Built July 1968. The 9 is the final inspector. There should be a builder mark closer to the recoil lug. As for the measurement, no hurry. Just wanna know what it is on such an early 243. I'm in the belief that early 243s are what they call, in 788 terms, long actions.

[tholt1]

The distance between the two screws looks to be about 7 1/4 inches. Sound about right?

[600RemGuy]

The distance between the two screws looks to be about 7 1/4 inches. Sound about right?

I was hopin you'd be 1/4 inch the other way! Yours should be 7. 7 is correct for a Extra Long action which is correct for the 6mm, 308 and the later 7mm-08. Well, now I know about a 2nd year. Thanx

[tholt1]

No trouble! Thanks for helping me clear up the mystery around this gun. So that would make it a first-year .243. Interesting. This gun is pretty darn nice, so gonna take extra good care of it! Thanks again!

[600RemGuy]

The distance between the two screws looks to be about 7 1/4 inches. Sound about right?

I was hopin you'd be 1/4 inch the other way! Yours should be 7. 7 is correct for a Extra Long action which is correct for the 6mm, 308 and the later 7mm-08. Well, now I know about a 1st year Extra Long. Thanx