Remington 788 stock question

[littlelefty]

I have a 788 tack driver in .308. I am lacking in the physical stature department and would like a slightly shorter distance between the butt of the stock and trigger (length of pull????). Does anyone make after market stocks for this model that might offer a youth model stock?

Or, I suppose a gunsmith could do the work for me hopefully without mucking up the gun.

thoughts?
thanks.

 

[Strongbad]

No youth stocks. Ram-line makes a stock for it, but I don't know what the ramifications of chopping it would be, it might be hollow in the back. They're also pretty cheesy. You could also get a replacement wood stock from Richard's Microfit or someone like that. They're not too expensive.

Last two options I can think of are to keep an eye out on Ebay, I've seen 788 stocks there from time to time. Last but not least, measure your LOP and cut it off. My 788 was my first hunting rifle 20+ years ago. Like you it was too long for me at the time. We cut it off with a band saw and saved the portion we removed. A few years later it was glued back on and and everything was sanded and stained. The line where it was cut is almost imperceptible. If you're full grown and don't expect your LOP to change, then it wouldn't make any difference anyway.

 

[littlelefty]

thanks, I've thought about the band saw deal. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Unlike you though, being 45 years old, I will never grow into whatever is cut off.

oh yeh, it's also a lefty 788 - might make finding a stock a little more of a challenge.

 

[Sunray]

A band saw won't cut straight. Use a mitre box or saw. Put some masking tape on the wood first. Prevents chipping the stock side of the cut. You'll need to sand or grind the butt plate/recoil pad to fit the new dimension too.

 

[littlelefty]

hmmm. I thought that the butt had a slight curve to it. Now I'm gonna have to go dig it out and look.
Anyway, thanks for the input on tape. I'll probably get one of my woodworking buddies to help (translation - do it for me).

 

[rangerruck]

the best thing about the 788 is the stock, they are tailor made for messing with!!!! really , go for it, I did mine, a nice honey color, I also thinned it out on the top and sides, and refit the pad, a classic redline pad, that is what you should get also, however old or new, the redline type/style of pad.
just hack an inch or so off the length, refinish at this point if you wanna, fit on your new pad, and you are good to go.
When I pull out this rifle, and whip out that honey colored stock, I proudly stand up and say, I made this!!!! And I am no woodworker by any means...

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

I got a 788 in 243 for my five year old son. The stock is really nice, at least for a 788, but obviously too big for him now. I ordered a new wood stock from Numrich, so that I can cut it down for him. Just checked, they have them in stock for $69.95. If you mess up the one you have, you can get another one. http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=712790&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

 

[rangerruck]

littlelefty; it's an optical illusion; if yours is a monte carlo style stock, the rear of it almost goes to the very end, and it makes it appear to have a curved rear end, but it doesn't.