Thoughts on the Remington 783?

[Donny Fenn1]

I know what you mean but it is meant as a hunting rifle and really how many round does the average Hunter shoot each year? 10-20 to sight in,, 10 at game if he is a bad shot and 20 more at pop cans and squirrels! 20 years 1000 rounds! It would take a while and then pop another barrel on and go, the 7MM RM I bought may chew through the barrel after 1200- 2000 rounds tops I guess, then I might change it to a diff caliber if not sooner. Now if you are going to soup it up with new stocks etc. then perhaps it is cheaper to go a couple grades up to one with some goodies on it already.

Some of the hunters I know are still on their first box of ammo 5 years later. It boggles my mind. Just like it boggles theirs that I shoot more than that every time I go shooting.

 

[porpoise]

Well you want opinions so I'll give mine.

Many who buy budget rifles of any flavor rave about their accuracy. I don't dispute this. They are accurate in general. Are they more accurate than a $600-$1500 mid grade rifle? In general no because of their flimsy stocks; but, individual rifles vary and they are not far behind. Aside from the odd lemon modern rifles are generally under 1 inch at 100 yards. Here is the kicker though.

0.5 MOA or 1.5 MOA means diddly squat in a hunting rifle.

Yep, the only deseriable trait, aside from cost, the budget rifles have means nothing. Unless you're into long range hunting (and you won't be using a budget rifle for that anyways) a 1.5 MOA rifle will serve equally as well as a 0.5 MOA one.

What does matter in a hunting rifle? Big on my list are: reliability, ruggedness, fit, feel, cartridge and application. Another that really does not affect my effectiveness in the field is pride of ownership.

The budget guns fall short in all these catagories IMO (and remeber you were looking for opinions.)

I would go on but I need to go to sleep and most are set in their ways on both sides of this argument.

Thats a lot of opinion but we are talking about the 783 what can you tell us about it?

 

[cdn1canhunt]

For budget gun I'd stick to the savage axis before the 783. The axis has a much longer track record with a larger following of shooters. You can replace barrels, stocks, bolts, triggers to trick them out if so desired. And for 300 bucks it's a fun gun to toy with. Check out the savage shooters forum for more info. The 783 just doesn't have a real proven history or any real long standing reviews! JMO

 

[bobdbldr]

For budget gun I'd stick to the savage axis before the 783. The axis has a much longer track record with a larger following of shooters. You can replace barrels, stocks, bolts, triggers to trick them out if so desired. And for 300 bucks it's a fun gun to toy with. Check out the savage shooters forum for more info. The 783 just doesn't have a real proven history or any real long standing reviews! JMO

Well, there are lots of positive reviews on the 783 around the Internet and on this site, which is why I am trying one, I have a 10tr and a fcp HS in .338 too, the 10tr has been in the countryside of Ontario at a repair station since last November waiting for a barrel as my first one was made to shoot around corners, as one other poster said, with the new manufacturing techniques, you can get a lemon in any brand, but for the most part they are all good enough shooters for hunting, and some can even be tack drivers.
As for buying more expensive and prettier guns, that's fine too but as with most things, it is the law of diminishing returns, so if you pay double for your gun, generally speaking you will not get a gun that is twice as good, better, usually but not necessarily!
Cheers Bob

 

[cam1936]

Well, there are lots of positive reviews on the 783 around the Internet and on this site, which is why I am trying one, I have a 10tr and a fcp HS in .338 too, the 10tr has been in the countryside of Ontario at a repair station since last November waiting for a barrel as my first one was made to shoot around corners, as one other poster said, with the new manufacturing techniques, you can get a lemon in any brand, but for the most part they are all good enough shooters for hunting, and some can even be tack drivers.
As for buying more expensive and prettier guns, that's fine too but as with most things, it is the law of diminishing returns, so if you pay double for your gun, generally speaking you will not get a gun that is twice as good, better, usually but not necessarily!
Cheers Bob

I tend to think of the price vs performance scale as a logarithmic curve. At the low end a little bit of money gains a lot of performance. At the high end it takes a whole lot of money for a small gain.

 

[Hitzy]

For budget gun I'd stick to the savage axis before the 783. The axis has a much longer track record with a larger following of shooters. You can replace barrels, stocks, bolts, triggers to trick them out if so desired. And for 300 bucks it's a fun gun to toy with. Check out the savage shooters forum for more info. The 783 just doesn't have a real proven history or any real long standing reviews! JMO

Axis and 783 are very similar design, same barrel attachment, same tube type receiver, similar 2 piece bolt although REM doesn't have that stupid double head like the Axis, rem has better mags, and better trigger design, stock is marginally better/stiffer on the REM. It's really an XL7 which has been around almost as long as the Axis.

 

[philthygeezer]

Save up and buy something much nicer. Far cheaper and less hassle in the long run.

 

[bobdbldr]

I tend to think of the price vs performance scale as a logarithmic curve. At the low end a little bit of money gains a lot of performance. At the high end it takes a whole lot of money for a small gain.

Yes, basically, the law of diminishing returns as it pertains to firearms I guess, but that's true with most products!

 

[sobo4303]

A few months back, I was considering a purchase of a 783 in 30-06 and 308. Then ran across the EE and a '66 PH Baribal was selling in great shape - I snapped it up. Having handled both, there is no comparison to the machining and quality of that used PH Mauser. The 783 was rough and plastic - but will do the job with a scope, but forget irons. Could not get over all the plastic and ended up buying the 308 as a single shot Baikal. The 783 still sits on the store shelf, as I have my doubts of ruggedness.

My point being, there are better quality used rifles out there for the same $ you would spend. You will never get your money out of it and with the added cost of a composite, you really will be able to acquire a fine used rifle. Check out the EE and Tradex for these deals, you won't regret. Check out my recent post of another excellent EE FN rifle I picked up and how I transformed that "sporter" into a fine shooting "princess"! You really will not go wrong with EE. What caliber are you looking for?

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...g-FN-Mauser-Spectacular-Makeover-Lots-of-Pics