I had a 783 in 30 06 I sold it because it was a bit much in the recoil dept for a range rifle. I found the stock stiff and free floating my sps stock was neither. The trigger was also way better and the 700 trigger was all over the place depending how the action screws were tightened don’t know what’s up with that. The finish on the 783 was superior. Out of the box the 783 was better than my sps imo
Remington 783 heavy barrel vs Remington 700 SPS in 223. Which one would you buy?
- Thread starter woofer2609
- Start date
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
I have to jump in on this discussion. In my range practises and competitions I am always encountering many clients who purchase both the 783 and the 700 rifle. Both are great platforms for shooting and growing your game especially with the 223 caliber. All inexpensive learning fun.
The 783 platform has really good quality control and I am impressed by it. At the end of the day the 783 is a price point rifle which has the potential to shoot very well but currently it’s lack of aftermarket accessories slow down the ability for the shooter to accessorize and tailor that platform for their growing game and skills and comfort level. If a client approached me and reminded me that they would purchase to 783 to hunt coyotes then I would recommend just that kind of buy. Great price, super performance.
When a customer asks me that they want to grow their learning curve Then I would steer down to the 700 platform. I have currently four of the 700 rifles in my stable and like any good tinkering shooter, I like to tweak my rig towards my personal games. Often my needs change and so do my clients needs. Once in a while my wife likes to get out and shoot so I always keep a 223 Precision Rifle rig for her and beginner clients. With those needs in mind it is nice to have a chassis that can adjust very quickly for a different dimension and shooters. This is where the 783 cannot come close to the 700 and its flexibility Of upgrades.
I am an MDT fan boy since MDT has a track record of meeting the needs of shooters who want or need to switch to a DBM arrangement. Drop hinge floorplates kinda work for me in my deer ground blind but I spend way more time on a range and that’s where a detachable magazine system really shines. the MDT folks make the LSS for the 783 and that great, but....BIG but; every model is designed around the 700 from the beginning. Just reality or numbers or economics or business.....any way you slice it, the 700 platform (good bad or indifferent) will always lead the way for R and D , then manufacturing then marketing.
How serious do you want to get with your shooting? Are you just sitting on the bench and having some fun putting holes in paper? Or do you want to start in a precision rifle match? Do you want to get better at a precision rifle match type of shooting competition? Do you want to progress on to the steel target shooting from barricades and unique shooting positions? These are questions that you want or need or wish to entertain when you are comparing a purchase between the 783 platform and the 700 platform.
And Finally do you want to cry once and buy once? Or are you comfortable buying and selling throughout your learning journey? Either way it’s all good. Enjoy the addiction.
Cheers, Barney
The 783 platform has really good quality control and I am impressed by it. At the end of the day the 783 is a price point rifle which has the potential to shoot very well but currently it’s lack of aftermarket accessories slow down the ability for the shooter to accessorize and tailor that platform for their growing game and skills and comfort level. If a client approached me and reminded me that they would purchase to 783 to hunt coyotes then I would recommend just that kind of buy. Great price, super performance.
When a customer asks me that they want to grow their learning curve Then I would steer down to the 700 platform. I have currently four of the 700 rifles in my stable and like any good tinkering shooter, I like to tweak my rig towards my personal games. Often my needs change and so do my clients needs. Once in a while my wife likes to get out and shoot so I always keep a 223 Precision Rifle rig for her and beginner clients. With those needs in mind it is nice to have a chassis that can adjust very quickly for a different dimension and shooters. This is where the 783 cannot come close to the 700 and its flexibility Of upgrades.
I am an MDT fan boy since MDT has a track record of meeting the needs of shooters who want or need to switch to a DBM arrangement. Drop hinge floorplates kinda work for me in my deer ground blind but I spend way more time on a range and that’s where a detachable magazine system really shines. the MDT folks make the LSS for the 783 and that great, but....BIG but; every model is designed around the 700 from the beginning. Just reality or numbers or economics or business.....any way you slice it, the 700 platform (good bad or indifferent) will always lead the way for R and D , then manufacturing then marketing.
How serious do you want to get with your shooting? Are you just sitting on the bench and having some fun putting holes in paper? Or do you want to start in a precision rifle match? Do you want to get better at a precision rifle match type of shooting competition? Do you want to progress on to the steel target shooting from barricades and unique shooting positions? These are questions that you want or need or wish to entertain when you are comparing a purchase between the 783 platform and the 700 platform.
And Finally do you want to cry once and buy once? Or are you comfortable buying and selling throughout your learning journey? Either way it’s all good. Enjoy the addiction.
Cheers, Barney
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Thanks for all the responses everyone. TacticalTeacher, I appreciate your words and experience. I did end up going with the 783 because I am going after good performance, not trying to put a bullet through the eye of a needle at 1000yds. The rifles were more or less the same price. I didn't want to mess too much with the rifle, but will probably be putting a Boyds thumbhole stock on it. Currently working on loads. I've had good luck with 25.5, 26.5, and 27 grains of 748 under a 55gr hornady 2265. I may try some heavier pills and varget next.
