Rem 783 - Some Range Testing - post 18

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Mystic Precision

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Rem 783 - BCPRL Tac Div Win

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Update July 20, 17 - rifle is all done and shooting great.

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Sporting a new CarbonSix prefit in 6.5 Creedmoor

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How does this all work? Pretty darn good...

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For those that have been following my Rem 783 "PRS" build, I have some wonderful news.

Took apart a couple of these actions to do some more tweaks and to see what type of prefit is used.... I am very happy to say, the Rem 783 uses a version of the Savage prefit. The options are now pretty much limitless in both supply and chamberings.

These Rem 783 actions look to be very true in their alignment and machining. As you would imagine with the floating bolt head, Wear is even in the lug recess and contact is very high. It didn't have the "grit" found buried in threads of new gen Savages. The quality of interior finish and smoothness is amazing given the price point and target audience. I was going to polish the feed ramps but now see no point.

A big shout to Terry at BARC for helping me convert from the Rem style recoil lug to a Savage style pinned recoil lug. It will make swapping barrels and fitting into existing bedding so much easier.

Fitted a 2nd rifle for CDI DBM in a Boyds provarmint stock... no this is not a drop in and involves a bunch of custom changes. This action will also get the factory bolt knob replaced and tweaks to the stock.

Hoping that Timney or Rifle basix will consider aftermarket triggers. The factory ones are not bad but a hint more creep then is ideal... lawyer safe.

When I get some time, I will do up a video of the Rem 783 cycling rds from the mag. Works very nicely....

Check out my facebook for pictures and accuracy results from my 243. Next rifle to test will be in 308.. waiting on muzzle brake to be installed.

I continue to be very impressed with the new Rem products from the KY plant

Jerry
 

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I wonder if a 700 bolt could be used in the 783?

I like that they left steel across the top of the receiver on the 783 which will put the action on par with the Savage model 12 for stiffness but I'm not sure how I feel about the bolt style.

Since there is no bolt nose, I wonder how it will behave for accuracy or if we'd be better off with something that centers up like the 700 bolt for a target rig.

Curious.
 
BadAsMo said:
I wonder if a 700 bolt could be used in the 783?

I like that they left steel across the top of the receiver on the 783 which will put the action on par with the Savage model 12 for stiffness but I'm not sure how I feel about the bolt style.

Since there is no bolt nose, I wonder how it will behave for accuracy or if we'd be better off with something that centers up like the 700 bolt for a target rig.

Curious.
Click to expand...

There is nothing from the 700 that will work on the 783.. completely different and in my opinion, there are some really strong improvements ... see my article.

Floating bolt heads are a love hate thing. I personally love them. They solve so many issues and help get great lock up in production actions... all for very little money. They also keep running when things get really dirty... can't say that about many customs.

The bolt can't bind.. and I have really tried to make it hang up.

The primary and secondary lift forces are better then a 700.. there is almost a "spring" to help get the bolt lift moving. The bolt handle and action timing is just better then many production grade 700's. They are putting them together properly in KY

I got one of these 783's cause they were dirt cheap and I have been comparing entry level plastic fantastic HUNTING rifles .... not as a "great" donor for precision shooting. I have been and continue to be blown away by the engineering, quality of manf (yes, you can actually say that) and how well it runs with the AICS mags.

And the lock up on the 783 (I have 2) is bang on.... WAY better then the not too old 700's that we spend time truing up (I hear new gen 700's can be equally well made so...). I mean I can swap complete bolts on my 783's and they headspace the same - that is nuts.

I feel the Rem 783 bolt head is better designed then the Savage and extraction/ejection is very positive.... which can't always be said for the Savage.

The firing pin set up is way better then the current Axis/Savage 1/3 a spring goofy set up. The ease of stripping is rare in ANY bolt action. I have run up some pretty toasty loads just to see what would happen and very little primer cratering.

WRT to accuracy, no different then Savages.. in that the accuracy potential is solid ( I am around 1/2 min at 250yds with the factory barrel - go figure). Accuracy of Savage based rifles have been proven time and again.

I am waiting on new barrels to give my guns a hard work out.... I am not expecting any surprises but let's get some lead on target to prove the point.

Now that we can use a Savage prefit, the quality of match barrels widened tremendously. I also had Terry at BARC, notch my receiver so I can use the Savage recoil lug making barrel swaps a no brainer (I have Rem lugs and how they can move around) - fit right back into my bedding.

Barrel nut, again another love/hate thing. I see swapping match barrels in a few minutes, spend way less money and months less down time as positives. I love it.

I am back to loving a Rem bolt action rifle.... been a long time.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
I LOVE BACON....

:)

Jerry
Click to expand...

Me too!

I now own 3 Savage which I have tinkered with and made upgrades. I think my next rifle will be a Remington 783 in 300 WM since these rifles seem to be better suited for what I want to do next compared to the Axis. MDT has a short action LSS chassis and is planning on a long action chassis in the not so distant future. I own two MDT LSS chassis already and would happily buy a third. When that happens I will be getting in touch about an aftermarket barrel. Thanks Jerry!
 
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I remember reading in the same experience from the budget rifle article comparison from Calibre Magazine. They were shocked at the accuracy and quality of the 783. I am looking forward to reading your build review!
 
Quick update...

Shooting the factory barrel in 243 continues to show the barrel/action will hold 1/2 to 2/3 min with handloads at 100yds. This barrel seems to not mind getting hot either .... nice bonus.

The factory triggers do come with varying degrees of creep. However, for those who understand triggers and trigger work, the unit can be worked to get a really nice crisp pull. Just massaged both of my rifles and for the given pull weight, they break as well as any aftermarket unit. Sorry, no instructions as you are modding a factory part but if you, or your gunsmith understands triggers, not a tough thing to figure out.

Feeding and cycling continue to be very nice. In fact, better then my Savage in 223. The action is shaped so the AICS mag cannot "climb" into the action causing jams or stiff feeding. NO problem to use the mag as a rest or as a barricade stop.... although I am not a fan of using the mag as a stop for other gun handling reasons.

Got both action bolt handles changed over to much better feeling EGW bolt knobs... this is a must do. The factory paddle is a PITA to use.

Terry at BARC did a great job (as always) to notch the receivers so I can use the savage recoil lugs with the tab.. makes barrel swaps so much easier and I prefer the tapered recoil lug over the Rem rectangle style.

Enjoying the Boyds pro Varmint stocks and mods have been done for the stops and braces I hope will help with barricade shooting. Still a few ergonomic things I want to deal with but waiting for warmer weather.

Like me on facebook (mystic precision inc) to see pictures and more info.

Jerry
 
so, could a factory Savage takeoff barrel be fitted without much drama? I'd like a varmint 24-26" one.

Seems to me there must be a few out there as guys are always upgrading to fancy match units.
 
Good to know.

I have been a Savage fan for a decade or so. (Bought a prefit from Jerry a while ago).

Been getting the components together for a precision/varmint rig. Currently looking at the .223 chamber options avaliable on Shilen pre-fits.


But.....

Maybe I need to look closer at the Rem 783.

My only loyalty is to who delivers the best bang for buck.
 
Savage action threads have changed slightly over the years so I do not recommend a "savage" prefit as I have no idea on the dimensions.

I am working with barrel manf that will get the thread dimensioned to fit the Rem 783 so pm or email if interested.

I have both Savage and the 783 going... both have pros and cons. If you want a wider range of accessories, the savage is your choice. But if the parts offered for the 783 fit into what you want to build, it can be a really nice action for an AICS mag fed repeater.

Jerry
 
Weather has warmed up and thought I would see how the Rem 783 in factory dress would perform. Working with Berger 95gr VLD and 90gr BT, H4350, CCI primer, Win brass. Thought I would shoot the groups from a Harris and load the ammo from the factory mag.

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All 100yds. Weather has been very nice, around 0C and very calm for winds.

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First day was testing both Berger 95gr VLD left page and 90gr BT on right. The 90gr BT shot very consistently with the better groups at 3/8" to 1/2".

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The 95gr had a spectacular load but that can be as much luck as design. Guessing things will settle down around 3/8" or so.. that would be fantastic.

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The 2 groups (high and low - 3rds groups) on the LHS were 90gr BT... 2 groups on the RHS were 95gr... middle group was 95gr and obviously not a working load. 2 bullets, 3 loads and I almost beat the factory rifle challenge (5X3rds under 3/4"). One shot in that middle group was too far away or it would have been done.

From todays testing, I am going to make up more ammo and see if I can make the challenge.

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So far, I am very impressed with the way this Rem 783 functions and fires. The action has been bedded, forend opened up for plenty of clearance, bolt knob changed, trigger tuned, otherwise a factory rifle...
 
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