Hunting Rifle Triggers

[Ben Lamb]

BTW - I had my MkI .30-'06 factory trigger down to 1 1/2 lbs. You have to snip the springs to get there. Then you have to shim the gaps between the trigger and riser. Ruger put so much slop in the MkI trigger riser that the trigger will bind if you apply any off-axis pressure. This makes them completely random and inconsistent. Mine would go from 1 1/2 up to over 6 lbs.

That is to say, before you go and snip the springs on your MkI, get some shims in between your trigger and drop tang. Any of the Blackhawk or Single Six alignment shim kits work great for this. DM me if you want a tutorial. I won't help you snip the springs, but I will show how to put in the shims. Take 5 minutes and won't change any trigger settings.

When I had my Ruger Mk1 (tang safety) rebarrelled, I also had the smith do a trigger job. He got that trigger to 3 pounds and it's crisp as an apple fresh off the tree. I want lower, but I also don't want to mess around with installing a timney because of that slop in the trigger. I'll see if I can stone the trigger & sear that's in it, and see about a different spring.

 

[BrentD]

When I had my Ruger Mk1 (tang safety) rebarrelled, I also had the smith do a trigger job. He got that trigger to 3 pounds and it's crisp as an apple fresh off the tree. I want lower, but I also don't want to mess around with installing a timney because of that slop in the trigger. I'll see if I can stone the trigger & sear that's in it, and see about a different spring.

It must have a trigger return spring. I would start right there. In fact, just to see what is it possible you might remove it and test the trigger. You certainly don't need more than one pound in net spring and, honestly, a lot less.

 

[mtmuley]

I have a couple of the dreaded Remington triggers. Both were worked by a smith near me that was a wizard with triggers. 2.5 pounds no issues in over 20 years. He is no longer in business. Did great work on Ruger factory triggers also. mtmuley

 

[44hunter45]

When I had my Ruger Mk1 (tang safety) rebarrelled, I also had the smith do a trigger job. He got that trigger to 3 pounds and it's crisp as an apple fresh off the tree. I want lower, but I also don't want to mess around with installing a timney because of that slop in the trigger. I'll see if I can stone the trigger & sear that's in it, and see about a different spring.

Get a second spring from Numrich as a backup. They are dirt cheap.

This will all be over soon for my MkI. @p_ham is installing my Timney and 3 POS safety, then filling the tang slot and making is pretty.

 

[Addicting]

Conditions aside, that's a bit concerning. I have a rifle showing up soon that has a triggertech.

All I run now is triggertech. I have ran multiple brands before and found having the same trigger feel across guns is nice. I have had zero issues and had them in some bad conditions.

 

[longbow51]

My Model 70s all had trigger jobs by either Kirby Allen or p_ham, and Kirby did a Sako (just adjusted it, no need for a trigger job) as well. No need for aftermarket triggers. All around 2 1/2#.

My wife has a Sako Vamint with a set trigger which she thought she would hate but loves it. Guessing about a pound or less

 

[Ben Lamb]

My Model 70s all had trigger jobs by either Kirby Allen or p_ham, and Kirby did a Sako (just adjusted it, no need for a trigger job) as well. No need for aftermarket triggers. All around 2 1/2#.

My wife has a Sako Vamint with a set trigger which she thought she would hate but loves it. Guessing about a pound or less

I never did a thing to my 1958 vintage M70 featherweight. It just shot perfectly.

The set triggers are a hoot. Mine is about 1/2 a pound. It really helps you rethink how good your form is.

 

[elkduds]

Had set triggers on a few Hawken-style MLs. A deliberate 2 step process to fire those.

My big game rifles are very different from each other. One is a 9# Interarms Mark X Mauser in 7 RM. Another is a 6# Stevens 200 in 270win. Because they both have Timneys adjusted to the same 2.5ish release they feel identical, at least to my right index finger.

 

[45cal]

I was messing around with some pistols and rifles over the weekend, and ended up testing most of my hunting rifles for trigger pull. Having recently installed a Timney in my Ruger Mkii, I've been possibly overthinking the issue of trigger pull in a hunting rifle. My triggers are all over the place, from 4-5 pounds down to 1/2 a pound for some set triggers of the Teutonic variety.

What's your favorite trigger pull weight? Do you take recoil into account? Game? Seasons, weather, etc?

I've been partial to Timney simply because they're easy and they work as advertised (except an old sportsman on my 1917 - I think I need a lighter spring there). Tons of other options out there though. What's your favorite aftermarket trigger and what poundage do you set it at?

Is your application consistent across the suite of rifles?

My last two triggers have been from Jard triggers. 28oz on Stevens 334 .243 and 2lb on Savage .270 WSM.