We live in a tragic world of public misinformation these days that could easily be remedied by removing the “Comments” feature from technical articles. I was reading prerelease coverage of the Remington Model 783 a while ago. The coverage was well thought out, experienced technical insight was provided and the author obviously has access to Remington management. Very well done, very educational. What followed in the “comments” section was the typical train wreck of public opinion.
Perhaps a dozen people led with comments regarding content of the article and assessments of facts and illustrations presented. For the most part positive, but also taking exception to specific points that they carefully and logically defined. Most seemed to understand that this Model 783 is a firearm positioned to satisfy a growing demand for low cost, no frills firearms and perhaps as a phased in replacement for the Model 770 product. Unfortunately, the divot heads then arrived.
One guy claimed to have owned and sold, out of dissatisfaction, this new model. Not sure how, as the first production inventory did not move into resale channels until almost two weeks after the post was made. Two guys stated that the new model is based on the Remington Model 770, then went on to list all of the things they felt was wrong with the Model 770. The Model 783 is not a Model 770 derivative and even the technical comments regarding the Model 770 were grossly incorrect. Some folks trashed Remington for producing an inexpensive rifle which, they felt, somehow besmirched the reputation of the Remington Model 700, then went on to promote Savage, a low cost firearm company infamous for placing cost reduction before aesthetics and quality. Others just blurted out the name of their favorite handgun… or dog, or car, or home state.
Made in Kentucky… Yes, that is the U.S.A
The Remington Model 783 is manufactured in the Remington Mayfield, Kentucky plant where Remington expand from 44,000 square feet to 91,000 square feet and to bump employment from 91 to 315 people. The intention is to accommodate Model 783 production as well as several Marlin product lines. Not sure how anyone can grumble over “Made in America”. Millions invested in America and the creation of American jobs. Wonder how many thousands of jobs New York State’s politics have costs the residents of that state?
A port without a storm
The Model 783 is a Remington type thick wall, cylindrical receiver with a minimal port opening for the sake of receiver rigidity. The receiver is all steel with no poly inserts as is the case with the Model 770. The Model 783 receiver top measures a robust 0.345″ compared to a Model 700 receiver which measures 0.215″. Bolt lug seats are integral to the receiver, just like the Remington Model 700, not in the barrel shank as is the case with the Model 770. The tang is an extension of the receiver on both the Model 783 and Model 700, not an additional piece as it is on the Model 770.
During the evaluation of the Model 783, there was no incidence of empty brass not ejecting as a result of the reduced ejection port size. During live fire evaluation I top loaded the staggered magazine and routinely dropped a round into the chamber without mishap or hardship. The Model 700 aft receiver is flat contoured like a Mauser. The Model 783 maintains a 1.360″ diameter front to rear. Because the receiver isn’t stepped, it utilizes symmetrical scope bases from and rear; two Model 700 front bases.
Both the Model 700 and Model 783 have barrels with threaded shanks and a sandwiched recoil lug. However, where headspace for the Model 700 is controlled with depth of chamber reamer cut, the Model 783 has a degree of headspace adjustment provided my the barrel nut positioning.
I still don’t like Michael Bolton
Both the Model 700 (lower) and Model 783 share a common bolt body diameter of 0.695″ and opposing twin lugs for a 90º lift and approximately 4.500″ stroke. That is enough cartridge length capacity to handle a Remington Ultra Mag.
A notable physical difference is that the bolt body and face extend beyond the Model 700’s lugs to recess into the rifle’s barrel shank when the bolt is closed; Remington’s three rings of steel. The Model 783 does not share this feature. The Model 783 also has a sliding rather than fixed extractor.
The Model 783 has a magnum profile 22″ long barrel with a 10″ button rifles twist. Nothing is lightweight or delicate on this firearms, which probably explains the 7.5 lb weight for the 30-06 Springfield version.
The stock… bad image to follow
The stock is secured to the barreled action with two graded, internal hex head fasteners. Removal is easy, and necessary when adjusting the Model 783’s trigger.
I think there is enough clarity in the image above to illustrate the two pillar bedding inserts molded integral to the stock and the strengthening ribs in the barrel channel. The Model 783 does not use an integrated aluminum frame and the barrel is full floating. From experience with Remington and other manufacturers products with similar stocks, the result is usually consistent accuracy and recoil dampening and I saw nothing different in the Model 783.
The magazine is a staggered type. The base is poly, the rest is steel, including magazine box and follower. I was able to load 4 rounds of 30-06 Springfield and one in the chamber for a total capacity of 5. The magazine type allows easy top loading is desired, however, the simple one catch release… sounds like fishing… makes the magazine easy to load when removed from the rifle.
Where the Model 700 gets the X-Mark Pro trigger, the Model 783 gets the sear presetting CrossFire trigger. The little spur hinged in the trigger face acts as a safety to prevent a very light trigger from firing without finger tip depression. Pull is adjustable from 2.5 – 5 lbs by cranking the nut locked set screw in the front face of the trigger housing.
Hmmm… so wadda we have?
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Mostly a rifle we need to take a careful look at and not draw associations with other Remington models or other brand rifles. Today this is a basic model Remington, but only because of finish, not design. Much like the Model 700 SPS compared to the Model 700 CDL in price, fit and finish.
Polish the hardware a bit, finish the barreled action with satin bluing, drop it into a cut checked walnut stock and you’ve got a very nice sporter. Substitute a heavy contour, precision barrel and you’ve got a good varmint or perhaps target rifle. My point is that the Model 783 appears to be more of a starting point of a successor to the Model 700 than a limited application product like the Model 770. No, I have no insight into that issue, nor am I speaking with any greater authority that conjecture affords.
Because the receiver is non-stepped cylindrical, both front and rear scope mount bases are the same. I mentioned two from Remington Model 700 bases, which is a common Warne M902, the same front base used on the Remington Model 700, the Weatherby Vanguard and Mark V, the Howa 1500, the Winchester Model 70, etc. For now, we’re going to do a little more shooting to make sure we have a good feel for the rifle, it’s handling characteristics and its accuracy.
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