Big Monk,
That's a nice looking Remington. Please understand, I'm not being critical, but for me those "see through mounts" would have to go. I know the theory behind them, but they put your head up in the air trying to see through the glass, ruins the "spot weld" that we all learned in the service (just my strong opinion about those type scope mounts

).
The 788 was an embarrassment to Remington when they came out. It seems the lock time on these inexpensive bolt guns was quicker than the lock time of the 700.
Years ago I traded for a new 788 in .243, it has the 18" bbl. Had it laid back in a closet when our son was getting interested in deer hunting. He proceeded to kill a little 4 point with it using the factory iron sights. Easy choice for his Christmas gift that year, a scope for his 788. He killed several deer with it before he went to college. I still have the little gem and I used it one year when I had a "perceived" problem with my old 30-06 700. I wouldn't hesitate to buy or trade for another 788 if one happened to show up

. After killing several deer with the 788 .243, my family bought me a 700 in .243 for Father's Day many moons ago.
I hope you'll really enjoy your "new" 788 and are able to bust ol' Bambi with it!
Here's a picture of our little man back in 1987 with his 788 and his 4 point, he was 9 years old.
Treefarmer