Remington's Model 783 Compact

No, I don’t know why, but I often wonder what one rifle would I want to have in my possession in a post apocalyptic world. Zombies, hyper viruses, asteroid strike, Hillary Clinton elected president… Any number of cataclysmic events that would make the survival of the human race questionable.

Sure, I’d like to have a big 375 H&H for any heavy predatory animals I might encounter, but that wouldn’t help me when I am trying to put together a rabbit strew. I’d like to have a .223 Remington for the rabbit and perhaps small deer, but what about that charging wooly mammoth whose DNA had been accidentally regenerated by scientists while trying to formulate a serum to make Harry Reid look less… embalmed? Lots to consider.

In the end, just before I snap back to reality and work, I always end up selecting the cartridge I absolutely hate the most, the .308 Winchester. Why do I hate it? If cartridges were colors, the .308 Winchester would be beige. If it were a car, it would be a Rambler American. If it were a state it would be New Jersey. If it were a vegetable it would be broccoli. If it were a band it would be the Bay City Rollers.

So why do I always end up selecting the .308 Winchester? In extreme situations there is no room for false loyalties, trivial preferences or straying beyond rational thought. Since my post apocalyptic world begins and ends with North America, there is no game I could not drop on either end of the critter spectrum. Sabot mounted 0.224″ bullet loads at  4,000 fps deliver varmint rifle performance and 150 grain to 180 grain heavy hitters could take care of the rest.

And what rifle for such diverse applications? …??

The Model 783 Compact is new for 2014. It is the Model 783 scaled for a smaller shooter, or for anyone who wants a light, compact firearm to carry through a long day of hunting in tough terrain. It is almost a half pound lighter, its pull is one inch shorter and its overall length 3″ shorter than the standard size Model 783.

In 2013, Remington introduced the bolt action Model 783 as taking “Accuracy to a whole new level on an entirely new bolt-action platform designed from the ground up by the engineering team. It’s a tack-driving confluence of our legendary bolt-action heritage and today’s most advanced precision-enhancing features”. A 2013 checkout of the Model 783 suggested that Remington’s description was not an exaggeration. In full size, chambered for the 30-06 Springfield, the rifle delivered sub MOA performance with a variety of bullet weights from factory loaded ammunition. The  2014 Compact is pretty much more of the same.

 Little gun, big action

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. 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. The tang is an extension of the receiver on both the Model 783 and Model 700.

During the evaluation of the Model 783, there was no incidence of empty brass not ejecting as a result of the solid receiver top. 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.

It may not be fancy, but it is slick

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. However, the bolt head and lugs are larger and lug seat engagement is greater. The Model 783 also has a sliding rather than fixed extractor.

The Model 783 has a very rigid magnum profile 20″ long barrel with a 10″ button rifles twist. Nothing is lightweight or delicate on this firearms, which probably explains the 7.1 lb weight for the .308 Winchester Compact version.

Feed

The Model 783 is detachable box magazine fed and may be topped off through the ejection port. The box is steel, the floorplate and catch assembly are poly. The unit is flush with the bottom of the rifle, the catch is easy to actuate, but recessed to prevent accidental release. Capacity is 4+1 and spare magazines are readily available.

Model 783 action and stock

The safety hinged in the trigger face prevents a very light trigger from firing without deliberate finger tip depression. Pull is adjustable from 2.5 – 5 lbs by cranking the nut locked set screw in the front of the trigger housing. It is a very crisp trigger with very short disengagement travel and minimal overtravel.

The receiver bottom is the familiar Remington tube and recoil lug, this time trapped between the receiver and the barrel nut. the span between securing fastener is wide to assure longitudinal alignment.

The stock is injection molded with pillar bed inserts. This method of securing, metal on metal, assures consistent fit of stock and action that will not change with weather conditions. The well ahead of the forward pillar retains the recoil lug, the barrel floats the length of the barrel channel. The recoil pad is outstanding.

Center and top left…

I kind of like these targets, although it didn’t start out that way. The contrast is good and I can see holes easily even at a range with lots of shade trees. My routine, because I usually shoot bullets of different weights and shifting points of impact, is to bore sight and leave it where they hit if they are close enough to the bullseye… like this.

No break in, factory Remington 150 grain Core-Lokt ammo, the first three bullets out of the rifle looked like the target on the right, approximately 1.2″ group @ 100 yards. The next three shots in a corner target looked as pictured left, approximately 0.8″. Again, first time the rifle was shot, first time I shot this particular rifle. All sighting in was done with an optical boresight.

So what have we got here?

It is a barky little gun, with enough recoil to remind the shooter, when combined with the smell of burnt smokeless powder and game that drops where hit, that it is a very versatile hunting rifle. It is light to carry, compact and fast handling for those blessed with a modicum of coordination. The rifle’s compactness comes with a slight penalty. Remington Express Core-Lokt 150 grain ammo rated at 2,820 fps clocked 2,778 fps over the chronograph. Sounds like a big compromise, but it is not. The velocity difference shortens 246 yard point blank range with optimal zero to 243 yards… 3 yards!

The Remington Model 783 is a very good thing. I know it is easy to assume everyone is running around with big paychecks and jobs for life, incredible benefits and no accountability, but some of us are not members of Congress. The Model 783 is a legitimate sub MOA rifle that can be purchased at discount retail in the $380 – $390 range and it will provide 100 years of barrel life to the average 60 rounds per year deer hunter. Neato.

Signs of future live and applications? Places like Pacific Tool and Gauge are offering hot rod parts like one piece fluted bolts, light firing pins, etc. This is a good action that has a lot of potential.