Marlin 783

[The Scout]

A friend of mine gave me his Marlin 783 when he moved away about two years ago. I have not yet fired it since what my family once used for a range was demolished to build a house. We have recently applied for a membership at a Shooting Range and I just want to know more about my rifle before I use it. So far all I really know is it was manufactured by the Marlin Firearms Co., it is a Model 783 Micro-Groove Barrel, .22 caliber, and meant for WMR ammo only.

It came equipped with a 2.5X32 Scope, Universal Hialeah, Florida.

Here are some pictures I took, I am not a very good photographer as you can see.






I have not clean it or anything, I am not sure if I'd be able to reassemble it, if anyone has a link to an online manual I'd appreciate it. Any tips, suggestions, corrections you have that will help me please share them. I've learned a little bit about the rifle from searching the forum but I'm sure I don't know nearly enough.

 

[halvey]

Not really much to say.

It's an older version as they came out with the 883 and now the 983. Most rimfire Marlin's are shooters and this one should shoot too. It may be picky on ammo, so buy a box at a time to see if the gu "likes" it because the WMR stuff isn't cheap.

You may find more info at rimfirecentral.com

 

[The Scout]

When you say the gun may not like the ammo, is that in regards to feeding the ammo or to the accuracy. Also what does WMR stand for?

 

[ArmedBear]

Accuracy. Those bolt guns should feed anything that's not out of spec.

WMR stands for Winchester Magnum Rimfire. It's also called ".22 Magnum" in casual speech. It's NOT .22LR and it's NOT compatible with .22LR.

It's a much higher velocity round with a much longer case and a larger case diameter and a .224" bore like the .22 centerfires. It usually comes with real jacketed bullets, not plated like .22LR, though they're generally still around 40 grains. It's more of a serious small game hunting round than a high-volume plinker; it's a lot more expensive than .22LR. It also has about the same energy at 100 yards that .22LR has at the muzzle. It's still much cheaper than centerfire.

Read all about it: http://www.chuckhawks.com/22mag.htm

 

[The Scout]

How much will the accuracy vary with a good load as opposed to a bad load. I'm not looking to be putting up 2" groups, I haven't been able to shoot anything more powerful than a pellet gun in years, I think it'll be a long time before I'll be abe to shoot even close to that.

I am only going to really be using this at the range, most small game in my area are taken care of by our cats, not to mention my Dad would throw a fit if he knew I was shooting a firearm without him being present. Will it still be alright to use at the range, the article ArmedBear linked stated that this was meant more for serious small game hunting rather than high velocity plinking.

 

[halvey]

When I said that, I mean some rimfires "like" certain ammo better. I have guns that will shoot the 36 gr bullets better than the 40 gr. Some feed better in my semi autos. That's what I meant.

Well, you didn't ask for my advice, but here goes...

You should maybe consider selling that 783 and buy a regular .22. .22's can be had cheap at pawnshops ($80-100) or even new I paid $139 for a Marlin 981T. Thing is, you can shoot 500 rounds of .22 for what you can shoot what 50-100 rounds of .22 mag for?

For range practice, nothing beats a .22 and a .22 hole in the paper from a .22 or a .22 mag looks the same.

 

[woof]

I have a new 983s which I really like. But I would have to agree that you might be best off selling this gun and getting a good 22lr. .22 mag ammo is going to run you 10+ cents per pop and you can get .22lr for under 2 cents. It doesn't sound like the power difference will matter that much to you. The rifle you have is really best for stuff like groundhogs out at 100 yards. You would probably get more enjoyment out of something like a fun lever action Henry .22lr and be able to shoot it a lot more. As for cleaning I'd leave it alone if you decide to part with it. if you keep it get a bore snake and some Hoppes #9 and a silicone cloth.

 

[The Scout]

Wow, I didn't realize the ammo would be such a huge difference in price. In other words I could buy a brick of 500LR rounds for the same price as 50WMR rounds. I'd probably have to think about selling it still, plus clear it with my parents. But I also have no idea what the law is for a minor selling a gun in PA is, anyone have any sites to help me with that? And where to sell it at?

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

I don't think a minor can sell a gun anywhere in the US. Your parents would have to. I have a Marlin 925M (bolt action .22 magnum) It is a joy to shoot, I had the trigger lightened to 4lbs and got rid of the creep and it is fun! If you just want to plink like crazy then it will not be the best (.22LR would), but still much cheaper than centerfire. If you want a rimfire with some punch that can reach out to critters at 150 yards it would suit you nicely. I bought mine for range duty, however it also gets taken to a ranch and I just wanted the extra "just in case power." You may not, and may not want to pay for it.

About the cheapest good ammo you can get is the CCI Maxi-mags, real good ammo and like $8 per 50 at Academy. Good bulk (still not great, great ammo doesn't come in bulk) for the .22LR is about $12 for 500. It is a lot cheaper and whether or not you keep this gun depends on what you want from it.

Peanut

 

[Danny Creasy]

The first firearm I purchased on my own was a 783 tube repeater just like that. 1975. $79.99.

I don't think you will have to worry about the trigger having any creep. Mine and most of the Marlin 7XX series had no take up. Unfortunately, they tended to be very heavy. My 783 was over 6 lbs. Inspite of that heavy trigger, I used that wonderful rifle to take four ground hogs, a crow, and a few dozen squirrels. I still have a little scrap of paper laying in one of my loading bench drawers that reflects a five shot 7/8ths inch group fired at 100 yards with Winchester .22 WMR hollow points fired by that Marlin using the top of my Daddy's black and white chevrolet pickup for a rest. I would stand in the bed and put my .50 caliber ammo can on the roof of the cab with a little sandbag on top of it. I could get 100 to 150 yards out of the old dump everybody in Florence used for a range. Once somebody left a grocery sack full of baby food jars out their. Now those were some fine 100 to 125 yard WMR targets!

I got into all kinds of match shooting later in life and quit hunting and decided to sale that Marlin. Wish I hadn't. Picked up a 925M a couple of years ago. But, it is not as accurate or as attractive. Marlin put black walnut stocks on all of their rifles prior to the 80s. They only put hardwood stocks on their el cheapo "Glenfield" line of guns. However, I do like the 925M trigger better.

 

[woof]

Scout, your ammo cost comparison has it at 10 to 1 when it is really more like 5 to 1, still a big difference. Don't try to sell the gun if you are under 21. Let a parent do it. You can try making a trade at a gun shop but you probably won't come out very well financially. Best would be someone with a suitable 22lr who wants a 22mag and you can trade even. But even if you have to put more money into the deal, remember you will begin making up for it right away with ammo cost. If I were you I'd start by going to some gun shops and seeing what they have in used 22lr before even mentioning the gun you have.

 

[The Scout]

Alright, thanks for the advice. I'm still not sure whether or not I want to sell it, I really won't be able to get to the range that often because my Dad is always working and I'm a year shy of the required age to hold membership, it used to be 16 but they bumped it up recently.

My Dad didn't even realize it was a Magnum until I told him I didn't realize there was such a large price difference. He just laughed and I showed him the gun and he said, just as you guys said, that its got a lot more punch than a .22LR.