Just bought 4 Rem 783's for $199 each!

[Deleted member 46119]

Engineer40,

Now that you've looked deep. What are your thoughts on the viability of converting one to 22 Hornet or even 5.7x28. I know you started with long actions just looking into "donor" concept for a 22LR/22WMR substitute that I can load in copper at a cost of $.025 per round.

 

[HarryN]

Fred, you are going to have to post something in the reloading area on that idea. Primer plus a piece of copper wire?

 

[engineer40]

Engineer40,

Now that you've looked deep. What are your thoughts on the viability of converting one to 22 Hornet or even 5.7x28. I know you started with long actions just looking into "donor" concept for a 22LR/22WMR substitute that I can load in copper at a cost of $.025 per round.

I don't see a problem with converting a short action into one of those cartridges. What would your main concerns be? I believe these are just accurate as any factory rifle can be.

The biggest reason I haven't started on my second 783 build yet is because so far nobody is making bottom metal for the long action. PT&G says they will have theirs later this year. But I tend to not put faith in manufacturers that give timelines like "later this year".

Whether or not I can replace the plastic trigger guard with real bottom metal will determine what direction I go with my next after market stock. I have some interesting ideas in my head that I am excited about; but not willing to do if I have to keep the plastic trigger guard. (Obviously cheap plastic on rifles have their place in the world too).

For cheap 22 caliber ammo, my preference is 223. If you wait for sales, I've got the steel case stuff from Cabela's for as little as 19 cents a round (with my Veteran's discount). And I've found it to be just as accurate out of my AR15 as any other moderately priced 223 brass ammo. I've done a lot of research and I believe the negative hype around steel case ammo is maybe 5% true. It seems like people's opinions of steel case ammo is directly related to the prevailing cost of ammo at that time. However my wife's uncle just showed me a few targets he shot with a Kimber bolt action 22WMR at 100 yards and all the holes were touching every time. The steel case 223 ammo I buy will not do that!

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Thank you,

The biggest "goal" is copper loaded 22 caliber for varminting.

I've got a Ruger Precision on the list ahead of a 783.

 

[engineer40]

I must be getting better at reloading.

That is a 4 shot group, not 3.

This is the best group I've had so far with one of these rifles.

(Reminder; I'm using the factory barrel).

 

[MudRunner2005]

Impossible! I'm calling shenanigans... That had to have been shot with a Savage, because everyone knows Remingtons are the most inaccurate pieces of junk on the planet...



Now that I'm back out of sarcasm mode... That's some good shooting! I think you definitely found that rifle's node for that bullet. I'm very impressed being that it is a 783 shooting those groups. I know every factory barrel has the ability to shoot, or be a lemon, but that's impressive to see a nearly 1/4" group out of a $250 rifle... Keep us updated, I'm very interested to see how the other rifles in the other calibers shoot, too.

Also, did you happen to chrono that load? According to my Hornady 9th Ed. manual, that is a fairly mild load (middle of the road). It says with that powder and the 178 A-Max that max load recommended is 49.2gr of IMR 4064. With that info, you might can find another good node at a higher velocity if you keep working up to find max pressures.

 

[FEENIX]

I know that it is just a matter of time when such a sarcasm re-surfaces again, esp. when it is going so well ... but it's expected and it never fails.

As has already been established and should be the focus, kudos to engineer40 for a successful project.

 

[engineer40]

Also, did you happen to chrono that load? According to my Hornady 9th Ed. manual, that is a fairly mild load (middle of the road). It says with that powder and the 178 A-Max that max load recommended is 49.2gr of IMR 4064. With that info, you might can find another good node at a higher velocity if you keep working up to find max pressures.

Thanks Mudrunner! Unfortunately, I don't have a chrono yet. I just recently got into reloading and I think my wife is already having heart palpitations from the money I've been spending. It is on the list of things I still need to get though!

I agree. I am hoping to find another accuracy node with more velocity. I have more ammo loaded all the way through what's listed as a max load. I just ran out of time at the range so I'm only about 1/3 of the way tested with that specific bullet and IMR 4064.

It always surprises me when you tell your family "Hey I'm going to the range for an hour or two". Next thing you know it's 4 hours later, you've made everyone late for a trip to your in-laws, and you've only got half of the stuff done you wanted to accomplish at the range!

I believe the next 783 will turn into either a 6.5-284 or a 6.5 Sherman. I really like the 6.5 Sherman from what I've read. The main thing going for the 6.5-284 is that it's just so well established in the long range community already; brass, reloading supplies, reloading data, dies, no firm forming, etc...

As has already been established and should be the focus, kudos to engineer40 for a successful project.

Thanks Feenix! It's been a fun learning curve!

 

[HarryN]

I am not sure about you, but for me, it seems like 4 hours is the minimum time increment to do most anything interesting.

I don't even attempt to tell my wife something will finish in two hours.

 

[engineer40]

I'm getting ready to order a barrel for one of these from Northland. I do have some questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm going to order a bull barrel (this rifle will not be a hunting rifle). Right now I'm thinking 28 inches. Would a 28 inch bull barrel put too much stress on the receiver from the added weight? Are there any special precautions guys take when using heavy barrels like that?

I've read that if you order a 28 inch barrel it will actually come somewhat shorter once it's finished. Is that always the case? How about with the Criterion Pre-Fit barrels?

Thanks!

 

[WildRose]

I'm getting ready to order a barrel for one of these from Northland. I do have some questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm going to order a bull barrel (this rifle will not be a hunting rifle). Right now I'm thinking 28 inches. Would a 28 inch bull barrel put too much stress on the receiver from the added weight? Are there any special precautions guys take when using heavy barrels like that?

I've read that if you order a 28 inch barrel it will actually come somewhat shorter once it's finished. Is that always the case? How about with the Criterion Pre-Fit barrels?

Thanks!

What do you mean by a "bull barrel"? A magnum Bull Sporter shouldn't be a problem.

This is such a new action that very little is known about it and I don't know if anyone is putting Sendero or heavier contours on them or what the results are.

Personally when I bed a rifle I like to bed under the chamber/barrel out to about a half an inch beyond my cartridge OAL to relieve stress on the receiver no matter what weight of barrel I'm putting on.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'm getting ready to order a barrel for one of these from Northland. I do have some questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm going to order a bull barrel (this rifle will not be a hunting rifle). Right now I'm thinking 28 inches. Would a 28 inch bull barrel put too much stress on the receiver from the added weight? Are there any special precautions guys take when using heavy barrels like that?

I've read that if you order a 28 inch barrel it will actually come somewhat shorter once it's finished. Is that always the case? How about with the Criterion Pre-Fit barrels?

Thanks!

28" Sendero contour should be fine (I hope). But that's just a guess since I don't really know much about the 783 actions.

I DO know, that I personally feel going with a barrel of that length and weight, you might be better going with the no-nut setup, like a Model 700. I think it is a stronger and more rigid design, compared to using the barrel nut setup. Just my thoughts.

What caliber you going with? .25-06 AI, .280 AI, .30-06 AI?

 

[Capt RB]

There is much more metal in this action than a 700 so you should be fine. You may need to add weight to the butt so it balances better depending on the stock you choose.

 

[engineer40]

What do you mean by a "bull barrel"? A magnum Bull Sporter shouldn't be a problem.

This is such a new action that very little is known about it and I don't know if anyone is putting Sendero or heavier contours on them or what the results are.

Personally when I bed a rifle I like to bed under the chamber/barrel out to about a half an inch beyond my cartridge OAL to relieve stress on the receiver no matter what weight of barrel I'm putting on.

The barrel I'm looking at is exactly 1 inch at the muzzle.

28" Sendero contour should be fine (I hope). But that's just a guess since I don't really know much about the 783 actions.

I DO know, that I personally feel going with a barrel of that length and weight, you might be better going with the no-nut setup, like a Model 700. I think it is a stronger and more rigid design, compared to using the barrel nut setup. Just my thoughts.

What caliber you going with? .25-06 AI, .280 AI, .30-06 AI?

Man... I've flip flopped on the caliber choices too many times. I had an easier time picking out the names for my kids. I do think at least one of them will end up a 6.5-284.

I actually have sold 2 of these rifles (for a healthy profit). So I have 2 to modify and play with. I'm still quite happy with these rifles for an inexpensive firearm to play with and modify. Only sold 2 of them because I knew 2 guys that really wanted to buy them from me. So I'll just put that money towards the other 2 I still have.

There is much more metal in this action than a 700 so you should be fine. You may need to add weight to the butt so it balances better depending on the stock you choose.

Thanks.