Rem 783 - Some Range Testing - post 18

[blwebster]

Is there much flex in the fore end of the tupper ware stock? If so how did you remedy this? Thnks Jerry great thread!

Not the same thing as the normal SPS tupperware stocks at all. The ones I have shot were quite all right and worked using a bipod so that should tell you something itself.

 

[Craftsman]

I have been following your findings on the 783, and I feel like you will be deserving of a bit of commission for the next couple hundred of Remington 783's sold.
Looking forward to reading more on these. I've always got room for another .308 project.

 

[st1264]

I read reviews when getting into an entry level hunting rig and read a lot of good things about the Rem 783. I'm a beginner using scopes/longer range rifles and have no chance in getting some of the accuracy that some experienced shooters are getting with these rifles (right now), but I must say that I'm impressed even with Chinese surplus and my cheap scope.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Is there much flex in the fore end of the tupper ware stock? If so how did you remedy this? Thnks Jerry great thread!

Of the plastic fantastic rifles on the market, the Rem 783 has one of the best "plastic" stocks going.... even better then the Rem 700 sps versions (which is kind of weird). The forend will certainly flex but it takes far more force then most. I have opened up the sides of the channel with some 80grit sandpaper. Just wrap around a dowell and sand. More space the better.

The current testing I am doing confirms that even with a Harris, the stock is stable enough to let the barrel do its thing. You can see from some of my test loads, some very promising results (post 18). I am working towards the CGN hunting rifle challenge keeping sub 3/4 min for 5X3rds groups on the same target.

Went out last week and missed the challenge by 1 shot out - but it was a weird group vs the other 4. Was bummed but it has lead me to investigate the firing pin system further. As you see in my website article, the firing pin is a quick removal system.. almost tool less (or at least, I use a tool so I don't cut my hands).

The rifle has now seen 500rds and cycled many many times... best guess, around 800 bolt cycles.. maybe 1000. This type of useage has really smoothed up the bolt operation.. was already decent out of the box, it now flows without the notchiness common to most factory rifles. Yes, I have smoothed a few camming surfaces but I feel they would have worked in anyways.

The bolt cycling just flows smoothly and fast. I continue to try and get the action to bind but it simply will not. A bit of lube on the moving surfaces and it just glides.

The bolt lift effort is one of the lightest I have used in any rifle..... can literally lift and cycle with my pinky. Although that feels really nice, I wondered if it means the firing pin spring was getting weak. I did get a few misfires but thought maybe in the cold, the lube was too much and slowing the firing pin down. It has now happened enough to look for a fix.

Now it is very rare for a firing pin to loose strength this early in its life but things happen. It is common practise to replace a firing pin on a regular basis with 3000 to 5000 bolt cycles... so most target shooters just swap in a new spring at the beginning of each season. $12 to ensure consistent and reliable ignition. Cheap insurance.

For anyone who has seen or replaced a Rem 700 firing pin, they know it requires some tools, a pin and some knowledge on how to do. If in doubt, send it to your gunsmith before you break something.

I looked and looked over the Rem 783 firing pin set up and couldn't find any of the same holes. I looked at the rifle schematic and it seemed to not have alot of parts. I was really quite confused on how to proceed... except on the firing pin body that holds the front of the spring in place, it has 2 flats. Took a wrench and turned the firing pin... voila, it started to unscrew from the cocking piece.

A few twists later, the firing pin was separated and the firing pin spring free.... no muss, no fuss, super easy and no cussing. The firing pin screws into the cocking piece and compresses the firing spring as it tightens... that's it. There are no other parts.. It needs no special tools, skills or voodoo to change.

I have not seen another rifle that is as simple and easy to swap out a spring. A Savage is pretty close but still has little parts that must be properly aligned or things don't work ..

By comparison, the Rem 783 is about as complicated as changing a light bulb. You just need to make sure the cocking piece is aligned so you can start threading the firing pin. Regular maintenance is going to be a breeze with this rifle.

FYI, I have swapped in a heavier Wolff Rem 700 SA firing pin spring (28lbs) which should make ignition very positive... maybe too positive??? We will test shortly and see how it goes.

Bolt lift has increased in force needed. Still very smooth but you can tell the spring used is stiffer then the original.... hopefully, a good thing. If not, I will put in a Rem 700 factory weight spring (24lbs)

So next time out, we will see how ignition goes and how this affects my groups. Hopefully, this has been a positive upgrade and groups with settle down and tighten up.

If you have a rifle that been used heavily for a season or two and flyers happen or accuracy starts to get irratic, consider swapping in a new firing pin spring. For the cost, it can save a huge amount of headache. Wolff is the industry standard and make a great product. They make heavier springs which can be nice when running toasty loads to reduce primer cratering.. but bolt lift will likely get heavier too.

I appreciate the comments and feedback on this Rem 783 project. This is a gem and the best donor on the market today (yep, better then the current gen Savages). These rifles continue to be blown out at rock bottom pricing so if you ever wanted a great mag fed donor and don't need a sub 2lbs trigger pull (at least not yet), get one before the prices go up

Note: I don't sell Rem 783 rifles. I do sell some accessories and will continue to bug aftermarket manfs to support this action.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

I have been following your findings on the 783, and I feel like you will be deserving of a bit of commission for the next couple hundred of Remington 783's sold.
Looking forward to reading more on these. I've always got room for another .308 project.

When enough are in the field, customers want parts.. when enough customers want parts, aftermarket manf start making goodies.

And I try and offer the goodies to you.... so in a round about way, I can benefit from its success.

Unfortunately, Remington is likely the biggest hurdle as corporately, the Rem 700 is its darling despite its many shortcomings. Hopefully, the interest in the Rem 783 will grow to a point Rem will start to notice their entry level rifle should move to the front of the class.

.. AND change out that POS bolt knob.

With the PRS game exploding, there are many many custom repeater actions coming in many flavours and for some very exotic prices. Almost all are based on a Rem 700 dimensionally. They inherit many of the limitations baked into the Rem 700 SA.. pity.

The Rem 783 is such a refreshing change and resolves so many of my niggles in rifle action design. It has a few niggles of its own but so far, easy to work around or fix.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

Was a blustery -6C day but really wanted to know how the new firing pin spring would work out. 3rds group on the left using new ammo and the 90gr BT.

Two groups on the right are a pair of shots each, burning up some older ammo. Results seem to be more consistent and repeatable... no weird outs.

Seems like the new firing pin spring is working out just fine. Operation continues to be very good.... bolt lift is a bit heavier then before... bolt closing needs a bit more of a push then before but still smooth.

hopefully, get out again this week and see if I can make the CGN hunting rifle challenge.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

Let's get some updated stuff going.

Did the CGN Hunting rifle challenge with the Rem 783 in factory dress and a Harris bipod... completed 0.544" average for 5X3rds groups at 100yds.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...quot-75-quot-all-day!-Really-Prove-it!/page34

The factory rifle shot really well. Yes, it would toss a shot now and then but overall for a hunting grade barrel, you can't blame it if you miss.

The Wolff spring was a big aid and definitely a good upgrade. Trigger is working great. No issues with extraction and ejection. Cases are straight and lock up is solid.

Onto next project which is to convert a Shilen 6XC barrel that was used on my Savage rifle to fit into my Rem 783.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

Big shout out to Terry at BARC for making the conversion from a shouldered headspaced to barrel nut barrel. Barrel is a Shilen SS Select Match #4 contour with a 8 twist, chamber is a 6XC - around 750rds fired so far.

Tested the new Nosler 6mm 105gr RDF. Load work up over the range that did well with Hrn 105gr BTHP. I am using my 2nd Rem 783 which started life as a 308 Win.

Same tuning as Rem 783 #1 but today was using the factory firing pin spring. They suck and a Wolff spring will be going in asap.

Each letter is a 0.2gr increment... details are on the target of the components used. Load B is the same as I used for the Hrn 105's.

Except for load A which had 4rds, all others were 3rds. All ammo fed from the mag. I think Load B will work just fine. Load E looks like it is going back into a higher node. Give both of these more testing when things thaw and I can shoot further.

I had very good luck with the Nosler 22cal 70gr RDF in my AR and now the 6mm also looks very promising.

So if the question is "can a Rem 783 shoot with a quality match barrel installed?" Short answer... YES. Lock up is great with near 100% lug contact on this action. Fired cases extract and eject with ease. Look like they came out of my Pierce FTR receiver.. nice and straight with a well centered firing pin dent on the primer. Continue to be very impressed with this action.

Areas to tweak - get rid of the awful factory bolt knob, swap in a Wolff Rem 700 SA spring either 24 or 28lbs, Some polishing of the bolt and bolt head as this one had alot of sharp edges. Also, some touch up on the antibind ridge in the receiver - again, this one had a lot of sharp edges.

Action 1 was nicely smoothed and deburred. Action 2 has alot of sharp edges left and this was causing the action to bind and cycle a bit rough/stiff... easy enough to polish off. Both triggers have been tuned and are breaking very cleanly around 2lbs.

for the $400 price tag, I can live with doing a bit of TLC. Both now feed and cycle very well.

Jerry

 

[JR Hartman]

well, I have ordered a 783 in .223.

I hope I can have the same success you are having.

I will be ordering a bolt knob and firing pin spring. If I can get them from you that would be just fine.

any pictures of what needs smoothing in the bolt and receiver?

 

[Mystic Precision]

PM or email. I can help with the bolt knob but you will need to order the Wolff spring directly.

Put in the Wolff 24lbs spring into action #2 last night. The factory spring quickly degrades with cycling. I have likely cycled the action to smooth and dehone more times then the average hunter will in a several years of useage and the spring is collapsing leaving ignition irratic. Get rid of it and life is good.

Why Rem would skimp on such a critical part is beyond me but hey, a penny saved is a few thousand lost on bad feedback... makes great business sense. But then there is their logo'ed bolt knob so....

The areas to touch up will be obvious once you play with the action. you are looking for burrs, machine marks and overly sharp edges/corner (if unsure, leave it alone). It is just a process that would occur naturally with useage but I am not interested in waiting that long. Some times very fine lapping compound is best... some times, very fine emery cloth... some times proper files. Do not muck with the caming surfaces on the bolt handle and mating surface on the action.... not necessary as they have been bang on for fitment on my 2 actions (YES, a Rem handle put on properly by the factory )

Same with the lugs... they will seat properly all on their own.

Sure slicks up nicely when done...WRT to the factory barrel, hopefully, you get a good one... but there are solutions for that too.

Jerry

 

[JR Hartman]

thanks, email on the way

 

[Bubba Yugga]

So, having tried both, which weight of spring do you recommend?

 

[dead meat]

I'm thinking one of these rifles with a fast twist barrel chambered for a 22-250 would be an excellent long range rig. Was going to order a prefit barrel to fit my 700 but may have to think things over.

 

[Mystic Precision]

So, having tried both, which weight of spring do you recommend?

So far both have worked but the bolt lift with the 28lbs was noticeably heavier. I am going to run the 24lbs for the spring and see how it goes.

As long as I get 100% ignition and solid accuracy, I see no point in going heavier.

But time will tell...

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

I'm thinking one of these rifles with a fast twist barrel chambered for a 22-250 would be an excellent long range rig. Was going to order a prefit barrel to fit my 700 but may have to think things over.

It certainly would be, but if going with a prefit, ALL popular chambering options are possible and some will feed better from mags. you can get an idea of the range and scope of options by looking at what is possible for prefits for the Savage platform

It really is quite enormous and growing....

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

Finally got around to finishing up the paint job on the stock. Took it out to 1265yds yesterday and all worked very well. Scope tracked nicely.... accuracy was spot on.

Very happy with the end result.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

So far both have worked but the bolt lift with the 28lbs was noticeably heavier. I am going to run the 24lbs for the spring and see how it goes.

As long as I get 100% ignition and solid accuracy, I see no point in going heavier.

But time will tell...

Jerry

24lbs is working great.. Just cut it 3/4" shorter then for the Rem 700 SA. A few cycles to let the spring settle in and enjoy.

LR accuracy has been superb and consistent.

Jerry

 

[Bubba Yugga]

I've got a .308 short action. So what you're saying is to buy the 24 pound Wolff 700 SA spring and cut 3/4" off it?
Just want to make sure I got you right.
BTW, lovely rig man.

 

[Mystic Precision]

I've got a .308 short action. So what you're saying is to buy the 24 pound Wolff 700 SA spring and cut 3/4" off it?
Just want to make sure I got you right.
BTW, lovely rig man.

Correct. Thanks for the kind words...

Jerry

 

[JR Hartman]

huh. I never cut my spring, just installed it as it came out of the bag.