I’m not sure if they jumped the gun, but a number of online gun shops are now listing the new Remington rifle for 2013:  the model 783.  The new bolt-action rifle appears to be a budget gun, sitting above the 770 and below the 700.  (Read the Remington 783 review here.)
The new rifle has a two position safety and an adjustable trigger.  The trigger has an appearance that is very similar to the AccuTrigger from Savage. That is to say there is a lever “switch” in the center of the trigger face.  This style of trigger seems to be growing in popularity as Mossberg and Marlin both have these kinds of triggers on some of their guns.  It is a bit funny to me considering how much grief Glock got from some people back in the 80’s for a similar trigger safety on their pistols.
The bolt-action rifle has a black, synthetic stock, which will not make the purists happy, but this gun is aimed at the budget conscious.  With the price sensitive shoppers, the synthetic stock is likely to be fine.  The trigger guard is over-sized allowing for a hunter to shoot with gloves on if he or she so desires.
The Remington model 783 has a detachable, four round magazine.  It looks like four calibers will initially be available:  .30-06, .270, 7mm Magnum, and .308.  I would expect all of the typical hunting calibers to be offered eventually (.243, 7mm-08, etc.)  Barrel lengths of 22″ and 24″ will be available.
Currently, there are not any scope packages available for the new Remington rifle.  However, I would not rule out seeing something like that in the future.  I know there are many hunters who like to purchase a “package deal” for hunting, and mating a decent piece of glass to the rifle would probably make for a good selling package.
Speaking to a rep at Leupold, I found out that rings and bases are already available from them for the 783.  Nice.
The new Remington rifle carries a suggested retail price of $451.  However, scanning the dealers who already have the 783 listed, it appears the street prices will be well under $400.  Some dealers are showing prices of only $360.  Assuming this rifle shoots, that is a heck of a deal.
Updates to 783 Line
Remington is expanding the line of 783 rifles to include two new calibers, new camo options and several compact models.  Let’s run down the new guns.
Compact 783 Rifles
For 2014, Remington will introduce two compact versions of the 783.  One will be chambered in .308 Win and the second in .243 Win.  A sharp eye will recognize that .243 Win is one of the new calibers being offered this year as well.  Both rifles will have 20″ barrels and synthetic stocks.  MSRP will be about $451 for each one.
New Calibers
Remington expands the caliber choices in this rifle line by adding the .243 Win and the .300 Win Mag.  Both calibers will be available in the standard rifle configurations introduced in 2013:  22″ barrel for the .243 Win and 24″ for the .300 Win Mag.  The .243 Win, as mentioned above, will also be available in the new compact models.  Pricing will be the same as the other rifles in the series.
Camo Options
To be introduced at the 2014 SHOT Show are camo versions of the standard and magnum rifles.  Remington will use the Mossy Oak Break-up Infinity pattern on the stocks for these guns.  The compact rifles will not be available with the camouflage…yet.  Expect to see that as an option next year if the guns sell well.
What About the 770?
With the expansion of the 783 line, what might this mean for the 770 line of rifles?  The entry level price of the 770 rifles is $373, only $78 cheaper.  With the addition of the new calibers, the 783 line now offers the same caliber choices as the 770.  While the 783 might eventually replace the 770 line completely, I would expect that the 770 will stay around for at least a few more years.
The 770 is currently available in packages with a matching scope as a “ready to hunt, right out of the box” option.  Considering many hunters are not gun geeks, this package likely appeals to many people.  If Remington can continue to manufacture these packages and sell them through big box stores at aggressive prices, I think they will continue to do so.
If we see Remington introduce slightly cheaper 783 rifles with a scope package, that is when I would expect the 770 is on its way out the door.
If you’ve never shot one of the new 783 rifles, check out Aaron’s review of them from last year’s SHOT show.
One reply on “New Remington Rifle for 2013 Revealed: the 783”
Very nice! I can’t wait to put some rounds through one of these at Media Day. Having shot several Remington 700 rifles, I have come to appreciate their reliability and toughness. The 783 has several new features that I find as a great improvement over the standard 700 series.
The enlarged trigger guard is perfect for those cold, winter hunting days. The “Accu-Trigger-like” trigger should make finding the break point all that much easier, especially on one that can be adjusted to shooter preference. Finally, the detachable magazine is a tremendous plus in my opinion. I have shot rifles with internal magazines, and the 700’s with the hinge-plate magazine. Having a detachable magazine is so much easier for reloading, and correcting any type of feed problems, not to mention downloading. I have shot one 700 that had the detachable magazine set up, but that was a custom order and not all of the magazines fit well.
If this rifle performs anywhere near the 700’s level of performance, this could be a huge bonus to Remington. The synthetic stock may turn off purists, but many shooters appreciate that low maintenance feature, and the lighter weight as well. Although the 770 was marketed as Remington’s bargain rifle, the general feel and look of the rifle turned a lot of shooters off. Some even complained of less than stellar accuracy.
The 783 has a nice look to it, and hopefully Remington has solidified the action to maintain the expected Remington accuracy. One interesting point is that the receiver close-up picture doesn’t show any ring or rail mounting holes. That will be one of the first things I look for at SHOT.