The Remington 700 and 783 are two bolt action models that are still in production and are rather popular in the shooting industry. However, these two rifle models, while the same company makes them, have their differences which should be noted before you choose what is right for you.
Here is the short answer:
The model 700 is available in 14 different calibers and has 15 different variations of the 700 platform. The 783 is not as flashy, is only available in 27 caliber options, and has 5 variations of the same model.
There is still a lot to look at in each rifle model such as the different variations and calibers they are available in, as well as an in-depth comparison of the two models.
The model 700
The model 700 has been in production by Remington since 1967, so it has seen some use. IT has been used to take just about any game animal on the planet and is one of the most recognizable and popular bolt-action rifles in the world. So it is safe to say, that the model 700 is an iconic rifle.
Currently, the model 700 is offered in 15 different variations: ADL VARMINT, ADL, MAGPUL ENHANCED, LONG RANGE, BDL, CDL, SPS VARMINT, CDL SF, SPS TACTICAL THREADED, SPS TACTICAL, VARMINT SF, SPS STAINLESS, SENDERO SF II, SPS, and the ALPHA 1 HUNTER. If you can think of an application that you could use a bolt action rifle for, it is a safe bet that there is a model 700 rifle for it.
There are many different cartridges that the 700 is offered in. Here are the cartridge offerings: 22-250 Remington, 223 Remington, 308 Win, 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Win, 30-06 Sprg, 300 Win mag, 7mm Remington mag, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 300 Blackout, 7mm-08 Remington, and the 375 H&H mag. Again, there is not an animal out there that you can’t hunt with these cartridges.
Depending on the model 700 you get, your rifle could have iron sights, a wood stock, a polymer stock, a Picatinny rail, a normal scope mounting system, a flat blade trigger, a curved trigger, and the list goes on. There is truly no limit of what type of rifle you can get from Remington. Keep in mind, this is not to mention the countless number of after-market parts you can get for the model 700. Once you get a 700, you can customize it in whatever way you want.
The model 783
The 783 has not seen as much use as the 700 but is still known for its reliability and affordability. Since 2013 the model 783 has been in production and has been marketed as a more affordable version of the 700 but can function when you need it to.
Here are the different options for the model 783: The SYNTHETIC, HEAVY BARREL THREADED, HEAVY BARREL THREADED FDE CAMO, HEAVY BARREL THREADED BLACK, SYNTHETIC CAMO. As you can see there are not nearly as many options as there are for the model 700, but there are still a fair few options that will suit most shooters.
Where the 783 does shine is the wide variety of cartridges it is available in. Here are those cartridges: 243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 350 Legend, 223 Remington, 270 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 7mm Remington mag and 300 Win mag. With this selection of calibers, you can hunt just about any animal on the planet other than dangerous game.
The 783 is not going to be very customizable because there are not as many aftermarket parts available for it. Additionally, the 783 is more designed to be a budget style rifle, so bells and whistles aren’t really its thing.
In-depth Comparison
The biggest difference between the two models is the customizability. The model 700 is a much more popular model with many more after-market offerings. Additionally, there are more variations of the 700 than the 783 so you can buy the rifle you are looking for from Remington rather than having to go through the work of modifying your rifle after you buy it.
Another big difference is the quality of the two models. The 783 is made to be a more budget offering so it is going to have worse cosmetics, a worse trigger, less strict quality control, a rougher finish, and most importantly, will be less accurate than the 700.
A couple more things to consider is that the model 700 is a top loading rifle while the 783 is a magazine fed rifle. The 783s are generally half to a full pound lighter than the 700s. And lastly, the 700s generally have a better manufactured bolt that is easier to cycle and grab a hold of in a hurry.
Conclusion
If you are looking for top quality manufacturing, more accuracy, better triggers, and more after market parts and overall customizability, as well as just an overall better shooting experience, the 700 is the choice for you. But, if you want a more affordable rifle that is a little lighter, is still pretty accurate, and don’t plan on doing much modifying to your rifle, then the 783 will work perfectly fine.