I had several Hart barrels put on 788's. The main issue with a 788 was a trigger and spring back in the lugs, they always shot tiny, tiny groups, but resale is crap. Canjar triggers were available back then, then a guy came out with a system to put adjustments on 788 triggers just like 700's.
I think that if a guy hunts around in pawn shops and watches gunbroker, he will be able to pick up a 783 for $225, that would be a steal in a gun. I trust the gunsmith that says the actions is machined true, so that is a real plus. Put on a boyd's stock, and now the inexpensive rifle becomes a very nice rifle.
Many, many guys out there that are young with toddlers in the house scrape and scrimp for a accurate rifle, and I think that this is perhaps a better mouse trap than some of the other alternatives on the market now...I will not mention names.
I want a 22/250, 243, 270, and 7 mag before the end of the year to test. I will start on the 22/250 and go up from there if results are good as I expect they will be.
Remington wants to phase out the 700, they have been trying for years.