Rem 783 PRS/Tactical Rifle Build - McGowen Making Prefits Now

Mystic Precision

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Rem 783 Tactical Rifle Build

Here are some sneak peaks to my new Rem 783 PRS/Tactical rifle build I have been mentioning in other posts.

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Factory barreled action... Very impressed with the features in the action and the barrel, in 243, seems to be shooting very well.

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Boyds Pro Varmint stock inletted for CDI DBM. I have modified a Savage Axis DBM to fit... not that far off dimensionally which is not really a surprise

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Rail has been installed into the forend so I can use the MPOD or Harris

I got rid of that horrid factory bolt knob and installed an EGW knob instead.... WAY nicer to use.

An EGW 1pc 20 MOA base will be on the rifle in time for spring shooting....Bases have arrived

I am impressed by how well this action cycles and functions. It seems to be have been designed for AICS mags as there was no mods needed to the action except fitting the DBM to position the mag in the right place.

McGowen barrels is setting up to make prefits for the Ruger precision rifle and Rem 783. Can take orders for Rem 783 prefits now.. same costs and options as Savage prefits

A great action, very usable trigger, aftermarket barrels (McGowen), stocks and chassis available. I hear other aftermarket manfs are looking at this action for parts and accessories.

I have been super keen on Savage actions as donors and still compete with them in F Class but this Rem 783 is far better for mag fed tactical builds.

Rem 783 Tactical Rifle Build

Enjoy...

Jerry

PS, complete bolts from 2 rifles interchange... Big happy smile.
 
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I'm quite interested in this. It's Saturday and I got back from SHOT late last night so my brain is running behind...let me repeat a few things back so I know I'm picking up what you're putting down.

783 barreled action
Boyd's 783 pro varminter stock, with the DBM option
CDI DBM for a Savage Axis

You found that it was pretty straightforward to fit the CDI for the Savage to the Boyd's stock? Am I following you here?
 
it isn't drop in.. there is fitting required by inletting the stock and modifying the DBM to work

BUT the main dimensions of the mag box and action hole actually line up. From the outside, it looks like a part made for the Rem 783 but the inside there are a number of areas to modify to make it work.

PTG apparently has a complete DBM for the 783... I have not seen it.

The stock will continue to be modified to have a quick LOP adjustment and various add ons for barricade supports.

Stay tuned...

Jerry
 
Why not? This action is great, and the rifle as is for hunting is very nice, it is inexpensive, ( got all three of mine for less than $300 each with sales and rebates!) so for an improved Hunter or great target gun, the challenge is there and it sounds like the industry is seeing the possibilities!
 
Why??

You're a dealer for some decent kit. Why not build a nice "PRS gun"?

Remember way back when I did a few builds on the then new Stevens 200 and suggested I had found a wonderful action for single shot competition shooting?

Take the time and study one of the 783... look at each part, how it is engineered, how it functions.

Forget about the price... look at what it does and how it operates... and what it will allow you to do.

Have a look at the close up of the action pic above... what is Jerry trying to show me?

I would love to meet the designer(s) of this action someday.... I think I would find "shooters" who have wanted to resolve a whole range of quirks found in the common repeater "hunting" receiver. There are positive features taken from designs dating back to the 1900's to the newest custom actions. I just can't see all of this being "luck" or to save money in production.

There are a few quirks to this action... one I have just resolved, one I will, and one I can't but it is useable.

From someone looking for a wide range of solutions for a PRS/Tactical mag fed repeater, the 783 has almost resolved them all.

As I have stated before, I cannot talk about longevity as this is all new but so far, parts seem to be running better and better

I only looked at this rifle cause a local Can Tire was blowing them out for dirt cheap, Rem was offering a rebate, and I was looking for a cheap plastic fantastic rifle to muck about with this winter. I have not been a fan of Rem rifles for quite a long time.

I am glad I took a look....

Jerry
 
Why not? This action is great, and the rifle as is for hunting is very nice, it is inexpensive, ( got all three of mine for less than $300 each with sales and rebates!) so for an improved Hunter or great target gun, the challenge is there and it sounds like the industry is seeing the possibilities!

What possibilities? Saving $300 on your total build cost?

Your stock will cost the same as inletting for a 783 is no cheaper than for any other action. Barrel cost is what it is regardless of the action. There are economical DBM's, triggers, etc out there for all actions so where are you saving? Only on the initial cost of the donor rifle.
There are Rem 700's aplenty out there for less than $600 and at least their parts may be worth something to somebody when you sell off the left overs.

JMO.
 
:)

Have a look at the receiver... I am doing this not to save money

Ironically, there are a few custom receiver manf that are working towards what the 783 does right now.

I wouldn't build an AICS sized mag fed rifle on a Rem 700 SA dimensioned action anymore...

But we can compare notes in a few years

Jerry
 
I am new here and not picking up what you guys are setting down... how about straight english for us new guys. I do like the look. Really as a general rule I have found is if Jerry is going to spend the time to post something I listen up... this seems over my head.
 
When people talk about building a precision rifle, what they're really talking about is building a rifle with a high degree of repeatability, that is: it puts bullets in the same spot every time.

In order to do that, what you need to do is eliminate as many variables as possible. If you shot different bullet weights every time, for example, you'd never get a decent group because that variable would be too hard to control.

Assuming you've got identical cartridges, the rifle needs to also be doing the same thing, the same way, every time. If it were made of cooked linguine it would be impossible to control the flexing and flopping, so you could never get a decent group. Conversely, if it weighed eight tons, and was cut out of a solid block of steel, it would be incredibly repeatable because nothing would be flexing at all.


The receiver on a 783 is a solid tube with ports cut into it, not a machined frame with huge gaps. It's going to be extremely rigid. And rigidity = repeatability.

edit: and I haven't even mentioned the barrel attachment system.

The 783 is probably a better base gun than a 700.
 
I'm thinking I'm gonna grab one of these.. I've wanted to get started with a low cost precision build for awhile. A shop in town has one of these for real cheap.. Mystic, what are your your thoughts on 7mm Vs 308 for this? I want something I can shoot with out to 500, and still have some energy when I get there. This will be my first tactical build.. Not really sure where to start.. What's your suggestion here?

Really cool to see where this project is headed. It'll be sweet to see how she shoots.
 
I am new here and not picking up what you guys are setting down... how about straight english for us new guys. I do like the look. Really as a general rule I have found is if Jerry is going to spend the time to post something I listen up... this seems over my head.

If doing research into custom or "better" tactical actions, see the points that make them more positive/better.

What do shooters like and not... then see how they relate to the 783.

Put the images of the action side by side and compare where the similarities and differences are. See what features shooters are asking for and how new products address them.

But in the end, you need to shoot and see what you like and not... then finding the parts and bits that you feel are better.

Jerry
 
I'm thinking I'm gonna grab one of these.. I've wanted to get started with a low cost precision build for awhile. A shop in town has one of these for real cheap.. Mystic, what are your your thoughts on 7mm Vs 308 for this? I want something I can shoot with out to 500, and still have some energy when I get there. This will be my first tactical build.. Not really sure where to start.. What's your suggestion here?

Really cool to see where this project is headed. It'll be sweet to see how she shoots.

Boils down to whether you want to use SA or Magnum mags. My build is to support the needs of PRS style events. This is a SA, 308 family AICS mag set up.

If you have hunting in mind, then you go with what you need at impact. PRS is about using the smallest to get the job done... there is no upside to alot of recoil

I have not looked at the LA 783 so have no idea how it will fair with magnum/long action options. I only know the SA 783 is a gem for what I want and need to do.

So pick your receiver then figure out what works.

As a footnote, the factory det mag is not bad. Feeding is about average for a factory mag.... there are better ones. I am looking at the rifle as a donor, not as an out of the box hunting rifle.

Jerry
 
How similar is the 783 to the marlin xs7vh or xl7? I have a couple of marlins and am impressed with them and since remington took over i have been waiting for the xs series to show up again.
 
Boils down to whether you want to use SA or Magnum mags. My build is to support the needs of PRS style events. This is a SA, 308 family AICS mag set up.

If you have hunting in mind, then you go with what you need at impact. PRS is about using the smallest to get the job done... there is no upside to alot of recoil

I have not looked at the LA 783 so have no idea how it will fair with magnum/long action options. I only know the SA 783 is a gem for what I want and need to do.

So pick your receiver then figure out what works.

As a footnote, the factory det mag is not bad. Feeding is about average for a factory mag.... there are better ones. I am looking at the rifle as a donor, not as an out of the box hunting rifle.

Jerry

So what is the most common caliber in these PRS matches? 6.5 creedmoor seems to be popular? I would like to build a rifle like this in 223 or 243?
 
Most common cartridges in Open Division are here: http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/10/12/best-rifle-caliber/

This year they introduced Tactical Division which is only .223 and .308.

It really doesn't make much difference what action you use as long is it's smooth and reliable and the rifle is accurate. I'll take a tuned M700 over a tight fitting custom target action any day. Bolt binding is extremely frustrating... I honestly can't say there is any advantage shooting a match with my Surgeon 591 vs. my GAP tuned M700. I've had some issue with triggers in the Surgeon and it doesn't single feed rounds as well the the M700.

The only think about this build that I would change is the DBM. With flush bottom metal, you will often get misfeeds if you push the mag into the barricade (which can really help stabilize your position). Happened to me when I used to use Badger DBM. It happened to the AM I was paired with at the Grind with his Tikka. I ended up doing a straight trade with TacticalTeacher for Stealth DBM, which extends below the stock and supports more of the mag. Hawkins Precision has a nice DBM and I don't think anyone is bringing his stuff in.

http://www.hawkinsprecision.com/dbm-bottom-metal
 
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