Lighter Trigger or Not

[ET]

A topic seldom seen is amount of trigger pull that a shooter prefers. My perveance is about 3lbs with minimal creep. This allows me more control of a quicker trigger break. Targets stand still but game animals don’t so there are times you want to release that shot quickly when the cross-hairs settle on the location you want. Now I’m not an expert at shooting but I can see the results on paper with a lighter trigger adjustment.
I would enjoy hearing from others about their experience or thoughts on trigger adjustment.

Ed

[Deleted]

I too like a light trigger pull.When I get the sights on the animal,I do not like to wait to pull the trigger,and with a lighter pull that allows me not to jerk the trigger.The longer I wait to pull the trigger on an animal the more likely it will move and there goes the shot.

[cuda]

I am 65 and disabled and have arthritis in my right hand. So a light trigger is a must for me and both of my sons some times shoot my gun. They both really like the light trigger in my 50cal. My oldest son shoots a 45cal I did off of a Stevens and he can get better groups with a light trigger. So we set his lighter like mine is we both hunt alone and different seasons. Being we hunt alone and that there are no other hunter even close to where we hunt we feel it is safe to have it lighter. I will not state how light we have them set but they are not hair triggers either. We all need to know our personal limits.

[edge]

I too like a light trigger, which is why I am a big fan of the Accutrigger!

With most triggers, if I start to pull, and decide not to finish I am very uncomfortable that the sear isn't compromised.
With the Accutrigger, I know that even if the sear "almost" disengaged, and movement cases it to break, that the firing pin is in a safe position and can't fire.

Using the light spring, I can hunt with sub 2 pound pull, and still feel safe.

edge.

[jims]

I definitely like the lighter trigger pulls, my daughters also. I never cared for the Accutrigger, had all of them changed out to SSS (SharpShooterSupply) triggers, generally in the 1.5 to 2 pound ranges. A good barrel and trigger go a long way IMO for an accurate rifle.
We hunt out of fixed blinds on our farm, if I was still hunting in the cold I might go as high as 3 pounds if no creep. Have a CVA Scout V2 in that range that works well.

[dannoboone]

A co-worker once wanted me to shoot his BR rifle. The trigger
was set to the low ounces. Fortunately, he had me dry-fire a
few times prior to actually shooting a group. A very light
touch tripped the trigger. Once accustomed to it, I shot a
three shot group 3/16" @ 100yds.

Going to the other end of the "pull spectrum", I got my
first CCW, a Springfield Armory XD-S. Noting how much it
took for the trigger to break, I tested it and it breaks
at 7 1/4#. Shooting it left-handed, it pulls horizontally,
from the right hand it pulls vertically, both of which can
be seen when aiming through the sights just prior to the
sear releasing. I'm really thinking about a trigger job, but
that may take only 2 1/4# off the pull.

Moral of story: A great trigger will never make a firearm
more accurate than its capability, but it certainly can make
YOU a more accurate shooter!

At first I really liked the AccuTriggers but then made the
"mistake" of installing a Timney on the 700ml. By the time
three-four years had passed, none of the Savages had their
original triggers being replaced with Timney, SSS, and Rifle
Basix. Personally, I like the break to come at 1 1/2#.

[edge]

I installed a Timney on my original ML, pre-Accutrigger.
My fault, I probably adjusted it below its design limitations.
It went "click" on bolt closure.
I increased the trigger pull, but always felt uncomfortable after that.
I like the Belt and Suspenders of the Accutrigger.
Admittedly I worry about a non firing click when I wear gloves, but will live with that for the safety aspect.

edge.

[sw]

I have 3 smokeless MLers now, down from 6. The Obo RB 45 has a Timney at about 3#. My Kevin Rayhill bedded, etc has a SSS Comp trigger at 1.5#. My Richard D 45 Rem ML/Brux has a Jewell of ? 1-2#. I greatly prefer the 2 lighter triggers even though 3# is comparatively light. The Jewell has the best overall feel.

[ET]

Boy, a lot of good responses and mention of different trigger assemblies.
For some reason I stayed with the original Savage trigger as I was comfortable with it. The trigger was originally set at slightly over 7lbs.
Through the help with this board a discussion ensued about adjusting the trigger, I was all ears, chuckle. Now a recommendation was made not to adjust it below 3#. Okay my curiosity got the better of me and my first adjustment was about 2-1/4lbs. Removed my scope by way of quick detachment mounts and gave my 10ML-II the 1-foot drop test on the rear of the stock. I cringed when I heard the familiar CLICK. Reset the trigger to 3lbs and tested it with the drop test 3-times.
No issues after that. I've gotten comfortable with the original trigger set at 3lbs and doubt if I would change it. But if I couldn't reset it from 7lbs it would be history.

Ed

[jims]

I can relate to edge but a bit in reverse. I had an early model Sav MLII. I "think" that model may have been pre-accutrigger. Anyways I adjusted it myself too low and it would discharge sitting in the gun rest on the bench. It spooked me enough that I did not even try to readjust it back up. I simply replaced the trigger and the others. Maybe I did not give them enough chance or perhaps I would have liked them like edge and others. But I had lost confidence in it in any capacity so switched out. I know it was my fault for the same but felt better with them gone.

[ET]

Jims
The one word that struck a key note with me was "Confidence". Safety is also a key point with me and if I have any doubts about the safety of my equipment I do something about it until I feel confident there is no unsafe condition.
To me confidence also extends to overall how your equipment is working. But this is another topic down the road.

Ed

[rpcw]

I set mine about 2.5 pounds. All three are this way

[dans]

+1 no creep no backlash.