New Remington 783 Debuting at SHOT Show

Remington is launching its new 783 bolt-action rifle with entirely new platform designed from the ground up.  The “7” comes from the 700 line of rifles, the “8” is a throwback to the affordable, but reliable model 788 and the “3” for 2013.  The suggested retail price is $451, but at retail it will be closer to $400.

American Rifleman was one of the first to test-fire the new Remington 783 and reports it to be a straight shooting rifle you’ve come to expect from the 700 line of Remington rifles.

According to John Fink, senior product manager for rifles with The Freedom Group, the model 783 was designed with accuracy, durability and reliability as key elements. It is intended to fill the gap between the Remington Model 770 and Model 700 SPS, and it is being built in America's largest rifle manufacturing facility located in Mayfield, Kentucky.

Richard Mann, of American Rifleman, reports the 783 has a proprietary cylindrical receiver with a minimally sized ejection port. Both features add to the rigidity of the action. All 783s, regardless of caliber are fitted with either a 22- or 24-inch magnum contour barrel, which is attached via a barrel nut system similar to that used on Savage rifles and the Marlin X7 series of bolt-actions.

Two Model 700 front scope bases can be used for scope mounting, but integral scope mounts will be available from Remington. Another nice feature is the bolt, which has dual, opposing locking lugs, a 90-degree throw and a sliding plate-style extractor that is more similar to a Sako or M16 extractor than the one used on the Remington 700.

The stock is synthetic and has an ergonomic appeal with both the trigger guard, and front and rear sling swivel studs molded in. It is attached to the barreled action with two screws that pass through pillars to ensure a free-floated barrel. And, to diminish felt recoil, a Remington SuperCell recoil pad is a standard feature.

The 783 also has a new consumer adjustable trigger, which leaves the factory set at 3.5 pounds. This trigger, which Remington calls the CrossFire Trigger System, is similar in appearance to the Savage AccuTrigger and the Marlin Pro-Fire Trigger; it has a center lever that locks the trigger until it is fully depressed. It is indeed a very nice trigger, and broke and felt, dare I say, as clean as a Timneytrigger.

A detachable box magazine is also standard. The magazine fits flush with the bottom of the stock and the magazine release, which is recessed, is located at the front of the magazine well. The magazine was easy to load and cartridges fed into the chamber just as smoothly.

Initially, the model 783 will be available in three long-action cartridges: .270 Win., 30-06 Sprg. and 7 mm Rem. Mag., and one short-action cartridge: .308 Win. According to Fink, by mid 2013, additional long- and short-action chamberings will be available, as will rifles with stocks sized for shooters with smaller statures.

A low-cost, straight shooting rifle from the leader in firearms is big news and we’ll be sure to stop at the Remington booth to check out this new model.

January 14, 2013