rem. 788 or rem. 600, which one?

[thelaw]

i have an opportunity to by a rem. 788 .243 with a 18.5" barrel and a rem. 600 mohawk .6mm with a 18.5" barrel. i only want one of the guns, but can't decide which one to get for my son. the .243 will run me about $350 and the .6mm about $400. i've shot the mohawk before and know its an accurate rifle. which one is considered the better rifle by most. for me its a toss up.

[jvs]

I would get the 600...... 

BUT !

First I would want to know about how many shots went thru either one of them.  The 600 and 660 barrels have a tendency to start to 'cottonball' after about four or five hundred shots, by one thousand rounds accuracy starts to wane badly. Because of the small clip in the 600, you can't just load the bullets out farther to get more life out of the barrel.

[sawfish]

I would go with the 600.  I have a 600, 2 660s, and 3 XP-100s (same basic action).  The 600 and two of the XPs have in excess of 500 rds, and I have not experienced the "cottonball" or accuracy problems referred to in the earlier post.  I am not saying that it does not exist, just that I have not experienced it. 

If it makes any difference, in the seventies the 788 sold for around $67.50 (same as a Ruger Blackhawk), and the Mohawks went for around $120.  Both were considered to be price leader guns.  The Mohawks were not as finely finished as the regular 600s, but were not unattractive. 

The 788 was touted as ugly but very accurate.  Be sure the box magazine is the correct one, and the body, or lips are not dented.  FYI, with the 788 being a rear lug lockup, it would probably not be as accurate if you intend to hot load your rounds.  This is pretty typical of rear lock up rifles.   Neither would be a bad choice.

[rich56]

I had them both, The 600 is the way to go. 788s (243) clip protruded out the bottom badly and was real cheap made. The whole gun shot well but reeked of cheapness. The 600 (308) had a much better trigger, was very accurate, fed well, The only gun of many I've sold that I regret selling

[Don Fischer]

I've had several of both and with the cartridges you list, I'll go with the 788. The 6mm Rem is a bit handicapped by the short action. Of course if all your gonna shoot is factory it won't make a lot of difference other than 243 ammo is a whole lot easier to find!

[huntswithdogs]

I'd go with the 788 also. I've got one in 308 and it'll shoot anything extremely well. As stated earlier,the clip is kinda cheap looking and extends. They only look cheap though. Try to buy one! DANG!!!!!!!

HWD

[Lone Star]

Have both -
Pros: 
600 has a smaller, better action for high pressure loading; better quality; easier to get parts for.
788 has very short lock time; very stiff action; accurate barrels.

Cons:
600 has cheap plastic trigger guard; cheezy stock
788 action springs with high pressure loads; uneven contact on the nine rear locking lugs; overly large receiver for size of rifle; cheezy stock.

Recommendation:
Get the 600 and fit it with a better stock.  You do not need to exceed factory loaded length with the 6mm to get very fine performance.  Only the gunwriters seem to complain about short magazines, the guns still shoot fine.   

.

[Don Fischer]

I'm not a gun writter and I've had a 6mm Rem in a short action, a 700. If you reload and want to use 100gr bullet's seated out to the lands, you can't. The 57mm case is just a shade to long. If your shooting factory ammo, it doesn't matter.

[Slamfire]

The bolt on the 788 locks in the rear and compresses when fired. Causes shorter usable brass life, unless you buy a small based die. $300 is way too much for one anyway. 

[Nobade]

I wouldn't buy either of them. Get a 700 and avoid the pitfalls of those two.

[poncaguy]

600's are like gold around here, better rifles than the 788, I've had both, wish I stilll had my 308 600..........

[Prebanpaul]

I HAVE OWNED PROBABLY 30 REMINGTON MODEL 788'S.  I HAVE TO TELL YOU I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE THAT WOULD NOT SHOOT UNDER 1 INCH GROUPS WITH VERY LITTLE LOAD WORK UPS.  THEY HAVE CONSITANTLY OUT SHOT MY EXPENSIVE PSS AND VARMIT GUNS FROM REMINGTON.  DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT ASK AROUND, PEOPLE THAT HAVE THESE THINGS ALL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON TO SAY ABOUT THEM, THEY SHOOT REALLY REALLY WELL. 

AS FAR AS THE GUY WHO SAYS THAT THERE NOT WORTH $300     I WILL TAKE ANY CALIBER AS LONG AS THE CONDITION ON THE FIRE ARM IS GOOD.  NO HOME MADE CUSTOM WORK .  FOR $300 OFF YOUR HANDS.

[DavOh]

I had them both, The 600 is the way to go. 788s (243) ..... The whole gun shot well but reeked of cheapness. The 600 (308) had a much better trigger, was very accurate, fed well, The only gun of many I've sold that I regret selling

Sorry but you'll never convince me the 788 was anything but a top performing rifle.  That rifle is twice the rifle of anything else new or otherwise in it's price range.

I had a 788 in .308 that would deliver 1/2 MOA all day long.  I took several whitetail @ over 300 yds with it.

The rifle was my father's before me, and over a 30 odd year service between us, it never failed us.

[poncaguy]

My 2 788's were very accurate, but had the bolt handle snap off while trying to eject a snug round, didn't trust them after that.

[Selmer]

I had one in .308 and still have one .243.  Both prefer the hotter rounds for accuracy and both shoot 1/2 MOA if I do my part out to 300 yds.  Never had a 600, but it would be tempting.  Watch out for the muzzle blast on those carbines, it can be wicked.
Selmer

[beemanbeme]

All of the 788's I've owned or seen are like a ugly woman that warms your back on a cold winter's night.  Might not look too great but they can sure get the job done!   

[boommer]

I have a 788 in 222 and it will shoot the left nad off a nat at 100 yards then the right great nat wacker it will shoot and has taken a few thousand purdy stout loads it!she's a keeper I love her we been together over 20 years.

[deltecs]

It's my turn to speak my piece.  I've had both models at one time or another and found nothing for choosing one over the other.  The 600 Mohawk in 6mm is a bit more uncommon than the .243 and would probably maintain or increase in value over the 788 in .243.  I'd go with the Mohawk and get an after market stock for better balance.  Then it is a fine handling weapon.  Both will easily shoot sub minute groups consistently. 
Greg

[dumgunny]

The 788's all shoot good (at least all of them That I've owned), There was a rumor floating around that they were discontinued because they were out shooting the 700's BUT....for just another $50 the 600 is a better all around investment and I like the longer barrel and lack of vent rib(VENT RIB?) on the Mohawk version. Mine all shot MOA+-.
   The only thing that would make me choose a 788 over a comparably priced 600would be if it was in a less common chambering like .35Rem or .44MAG those are pretty scarce.
   Either way you can't go wrong!
JMHO