To learn more, visit [track-link url=”https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783″ campaign=”Remington783″ target=”_blank”]https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783[/track-link].
To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: [track-link url=”https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=remington%20783″ campaign=”Remington783onGA” target=”_blank”]https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=remington%20783[/track-link].
For years Remington has made a name for itself as one of the premier manufacturers of high-quality bolt-action rifles. Their flagship rifle, the [track-link url=”https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700″ campaign=”Remington700″ target=”_blank”]Remington 700[/track-link], has withstood decades of use by hunters and shooters alike, and is well-known for its outstanding accuracy and reasonable price point.
But “reasonable” doesn’t always mean “affordable” in today’s economic climate. Depending on the model and features, shooters often pay between $800 and $1,500 for a Remington 700, and that’s not even counting a rail, a mount, and a scope. Not everyone (or, at least, not everyone’s spouse) can justify dropping half a month’s pay on a new rifle, no matter how legendary it may be.
The [track-link url=”https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783/model-783-scoped” campaign=”Remington783Scoped” target=”_blank”]Remington 783 Scoped[/track-link] might provide an answer to that dilemma. For less than $400, shooters get a quality rifle along with scope rings and a scope—everything they need to get deer season off to a good start. And, it comes with the scope and rings installed and boresighted.
It’s a great option for young or first-time shooters, too. Christmas is on the way, and the Remington 783 comes in a variety of chamberings (from .223 Rem. up to .300 Win. Mag.). I tested this in .270 Win., which, while a nice caliber, might hit too hard for someone of slighter build. The .223 Rem is a good option for those recoil-sensitive. It’ll get the job done, but it doesn’t hit too hard and the ammo isn’t too expensive.
Speaking of price, keep in mind throughout this review that the Remington 783 (and scope) is a mere $399 MSRP. It’s not a perfect gun, but it is perfect for someone looking to buy a solid rifle on a budget or for a parent hoping to introduce their kid to shooting without breaking the bank.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, here are the specs.
SPECS
- Chambering: .270 Win., .22-250 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., .308 Win.,.30-06 Sprg., 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .243 Win.
- Barrel: 22 inches
- OA Length: 42.5 inches
- Weight: 8.625 pounds
- Stock: Synthetic, dual-pillar bedding
- Sights: 3-9X Scope
- Action: Bolt-action
- Finish: Black
- Capacity: 4
- MSRP: $399-$451
Rifle Features
If you like frills, the Remington 783 probably won’t be your cup of tea. This is a working man’s rifle—what you see is what you get. But it does include a few nice features I want to highlight.
We’ll start where all the magic happens: The barrel. According to the owner’s manual, the 783 includes a magnum contour button-rifled barrel that’s been free-floated to enhance accuracy. Remington says it’s been crafted in their newest manufacturing facility “using proprietary methods that create the tightest tolerances from rifle to rifle.” Sounds good to me.
I received in a camo-stocked version of the 783 Scoped packaged, which bumps the MSRP to $451 compared to the $399 MSRP of the black-stocked model. The rifle’s weight was the first thing I noticed coming out of the box. It’s hefty enough to handle larger rounds, but light enough to carry all day on a hunt. It’s also light enough to take a shot without a rest or bipod, which is sometimes necessary in the field. The rubber shoulder pad also helps absorb the recoil, allowing for longer range sessions and comfortable shooting.
The action itself is what you’d expect from Remington, and in many ways it reminded me of the 700. It’s smooth without being loose, and it never failed to load or extract a round. Sometimes the bolt was a bit tough to close, but that’s to be expected on a new rifle. The push-feed bolt also includes dual, opposing locking lugs, a 90-degree throw and a sliding plate-style extractor.
The receiver is where 783 departs from its great-grandfather. Unlike the 700, the primary one-piece cylindrical receiver has a small ejection port, which helps with rigidity and accuracy. Some have called the 783 an “evolution” for Remington, and the receiver provides a great example of that evolution.
The action cocks on opening and includes a cocking indicator—a small pin that protrudes from the rear of the bolt—to indicate to the shooter that the rifle is ready to fire. The firing mechanism also includes a foolproof two-position safety that blocks the trigger from releasing the firing pin when in the “Safe” position (it does not, however, prevent the action from being able to be cycled).
The steel detachable magazine is another nice feature. The steel latch makes the magazine easy to remove and easy to install, which, again, is ideal for a new or young shooter. There is an audible and tactile click each time the magazine is inserted, and it doesn’t matter whether the front or the back is inserted first (no AK magazine problems here). Plus, the four-round capacity is more than sufficient for a hunt, and the shooter doesn’t have to worry about catching an extended magazine on a branch or a vine.
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All those features are helpful, but the trigger is what makes the Remington 783 stand out. Despite its super-low price point, the gun still includes Remington’s CrossFire adjustable trigger system. The trigger is set at 3.5 pounds but can be calibrated to be heavier or lighter to fit the shooter’s preference. The trigger is adjusted by removing the action from the stock and rotating the trigger adjustment nut with a hex key wrench. It’s a simple process, but I didn’t feel the trigger needed any fine-tuning coming out of the box. The weight was perfect, and the break was nice and crisp. In the realm of factory triggers, the CrossFire doesn’t disappoint.
Remington didn’t spare any expense with their Model 783. It functions as you might expect a Remington to function, and it includes features that are usually only included on more expensive rifles. If you’re looking for a budget rifle that doesn’t feel like a budget rifle, the 783 is a great choice.
Scope
The 3-9X scope was clear and held zero, but, compared to the rifle, it’s the all-in-one product’s weakest point. Remington doesn’t say in the owner’s manual who manufactures the scope, and there isn’t any branding that I could find. Given that many pre-packaged scopes only include a maximum magnification of 7X, I was pleased to see that this scope goes all the way up to 9X from 3X. The sight picture is clear enough to see paper holes at 100 yards, and I didn’t have any trouble adjusting the magnification. The scope even includes a ring to adjust the clarity of the reticle.
But that’s about where the nice features end. The first thing I noticed about the scope was the limited eye relief. The eye relief isn’t long enough to get a comfortable cheek weld. I had to get my eye so close to the scope that on one shot the recoil pushed the scope back into my forehead.
The scope adjusts .25 inches per click at 100 yards, and the clicks were nice and crisp. But the reticle does not include MOA hash marks, and the tracking only seemed to work half the time. As I was sighting in the scope, I had to move the reticle more clicks than I thought was necessary. Maybe my math was off, but it seemed like the reticle didn’t always track as it was supposed to.
I believe the scope is bore-sighted at 100 yards from the factory. The rings kept the scope in place well enough, though I had to tighten them before shooting for the first time.
All that being said, the scope functions more or less as a scope should: it holds zero and allows the shooter to see the target more clearly. New shooters shouldn’t expect to make any 500-yard shots with this scope, but, again, the whole package only costs $399. Remington says the 783 Scoped is designed to be taken out of the box and into a tree stand. As long as you’re not hunting on the Great Plains of Nebraska, that’s exactly what the scope allows you to do.
Accuracy
I tested the rifle at 100 yards with four different types of ammunition using a [track-link url=”https://outfitter.media/82-33-caldwell-lead-sled-solo-recoil-reducing-shooting-rest-deal-week/” campaign=”CaldwellLeadSled” target=”_blank”]Caldwell Lead Sled[/track-link]. I shot five, 3-shot groups with each loads. I also recorded the velocity of the bullet at the muzzle for each shot and averaged that data as well.
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Given the gun’s cost, achieving a sub-MOA average with any load on a windy day is an accomplishment. As I test different loads I’ll be able to determine exactly what the rifle likes and what it doesn’t like. The Federal Fusion is a great contender, but I’m excited to test more loads to determine just how accurate this rifle can be. Though it was a windy day, every load except the some Hornady GMX I tried shot at least one group under one inch. In fact, that Hornady GMX ammo performed so poorly in the rifle I actually pulled it from the shooting results chart I was compiling. It apparently just did not like this load at all.
Conclusion
So, should you purchase the Remington 783 Scoped? As with any firearms purchase, that depends on what you want to use it for.
If you’re looking for a competition-caliber Remington 700 on the cheap, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you’re looking for your next deer rifle—or your kid’s first deer rifle—you should absolutely order one. With the right ammunition, the Remington 783 is accurate enough to hit your target every time. While the scope leaves something to be desired, the rifle alone is worth what you paid for the entire package. The scope allows you to take the rifle out of the box and onto the range, and the price point allows you to do it without breaking the bank. In today’s economy, that’s more than enough reason to pull the trigger on a Remington 783.
To learn more, visit [track-link url=”https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783″ campaign=”Remington783″ target=”_blank”]https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783[/track-link].
To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: [track-link url=”https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=remington%20783″ campaign=”Remington783onGA” target=”_blank”]https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=remington%20783[/track-link].
