Are they going up in value? A local store had a 243 in decent shape and was asking $600 for it and yesterday I saw another 243 and it had the stock refinished and they were asking $700 for it. The 243 isn't exactly one of the most sought after 788's as I see more of them for sale than any other.

That sounds like, a lot, for a 788 and I wouldn't ever spend that much for one but others may.

Like anything that's not made from the original manufacturer price goes up .

I've never had a want for one at any price.

Nothing against them and I worked with a guy that had one in 22-250 that he said shot really well but they've just never appealed to me in any way and I always thought they were a lower budget kind of fugly rifle. Not Savage fugly but close.

Mind reader....

Wish I had bought a pallet of them at 169.00

I bought a 223 and tried it on hogs and coyotes, they are heavy but make up for that in accuracy. I liked it well enough that I refinished the stock. Couple months later I came across a 243 in like new condition and bought it based on experience with the 223. It did not disappoint. Paid $516.00 for 223 and $505.00 for 243. I consider them both a bargain.

I believe nostalgia adds $200-$250 to the price. Inherited one in 22-250
but would never buy one. It has extremely hard and rough bolt lift
because the inside of the bolt is galled in the cocking mechanism and
would take some very fancy welding and grinding to repair. But it's just
as accurate as a 700 I once had.

Trade value of $600 for the one I got.

I have one in 222 that I paid right around $500 for. It was in the original stock. I refinished the stock and didn't like its look so I bought a Boyd's. I didn't want laminate so I went with maple, then I said WTH and splurged for checkering. A little later I'm at $350 for a stock. Then I bed the action and had a trigger job done. Added a nice Nikon scope so now I'm in it pretty deep for a 788.....but it is nice. And it shoots good as well. A fool and his money!!!!!

In calibers that just aren't available any longer, 44 Mag, 30-30, 222 Rem they are decent rifles there are lots of better rifles in 22-250, 243, 308 that you can buy new for that kind of money.

About the only 788 I haven't had is the 44 mag and 7-08. Had a 30-30, 223 and 22-250, and a couple 243's. All shot pretty good for what they are. The 22-250 hated hot loads so I had to keep them on the mild side. The 222 I have now shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100yds with about everything I have tried. It really shines with 40 grain pills. Fun little rifle and gets lots of looks. I get lots of looks when I tell them how much money I have in it. LOL

Here in SW PA they were bringing that kinda money Pre-COVID. I think its mainly hype but some guys seem to really like them.

I dont see many for sale at gun shows any more either which tells me they are likely being collected or sold off to collectors online.

Like everything else, I would bet they are going up in value. 700 BDLs that I used to pass up at $600 are now $900.

In 1978 I paid $93.00 for mine, caliber 243, carbine model, and bought a
an extra magazine. The rifle shoots very nice, shoot 100 grains and drops whitetail, and a few other targets of opportunity.
I did change out my trigger, I believe it is a Timney. Just keeps on ticking....
Charlie

The longest shot I have ever made on a whitetail deer was with a 788 in 243 and the carbine version. It was 378 steps (not yards). I admit, it was a Hail Mary shot but I'll take it. I was much much younger then and my eyes were lots better.