Trigger Pull Weight

redpete

I have Timney triggers in my Weatherby Vanguards.

What is a good weight for the trigger pull in a hunting rifle?

rwfixem

4 pounds MINIMUM!

charliemeyer007

Would they be regular, single or double set and which type of double set? How much shooting have you done and what are you hunting from what position?

beantownshootah

quote:Originally posted by redpete
I have Timney triggers in my Weatherby Vanguards.

What is a good weight for the trigger pull in a hunting rifle?


Depends on:

-What you're accustomed to (and this is probably more important than ANYTHING else). Obviously, too light or too heavy aren't optimal, but its possible to do good work with any weight between 2 and 7 pounds.

-The weight of the gun in question. Heavier guns can have heavier triggers. Heavy trigger on a light gun isn't good because when you pull the trigger, you'll be moving the gun too!

-The type of trigger (eg single stage, double stage, etc).

-Whether or not you'll be pulling the trigger with gloves on. (IF so, you'll want a heavier trigger). Edit: Also, if the weather is really cold, even without gloves your fingers might get somewhat numb, and in that situation light trigger isn't good.


For purposes of this post, I'll say the discussion starts at 3 to 3.5 lbs for a typical medium/large game rifle. For a long range varmint gun, maybe 2.5 lbs, and some experienced shooters like lesser weight pulls on that kind of gun.

But again, if you're accustomed to heavier triggers or much lighter ones, you can still do good work.

Super-light "match" type triggers under one lb are probably acceptable for long range varmint shooting, which itself is somewhat like benchrest target shooting. But light triggers are really a liability in any other hunting situation where you might have to pull the trigger after exertion, and having too light a squeeze is a setup for a bad shot or even accidental discharge.

tsr1965

As long as the pull weight is reasonable(between 3 and 5 pounds), it is really not the weight that count's. The amount the trigger travels before and after the sear breaks(sear engagement, and over travel), is what count's. The less a trigger moves, the less chance you have of pulling the sights, and subsequentially, the shot, off target.

I prefer my trigger's on my precision rifles under 3 pounds, but not for rifles that may be used by someone other than myself. It is down right hard to beat the older Remington 700 style trigger's, for adjustability.

Best

redpete

Thanks for your responses...here is some additional information...

I have three Vanguards with Timney triggers...7mm-08, .270 Winchester and .30-06.

They are regular Timney triggers that come from the factory set at 3 pounds.

We hunt from elevated stands in central Minnesota.

I shoot quite a bit (too much says my wife...), but I shoot more shotgun and handgun than I do rifle...

beantownshootah

I don't see how you're going to go wrong with a 3lb Timney trigger.

The main issue is your comfort/experience with the trigger. Light triggers can be problematic if you're accustomed to working with much heavier ones (and vice versa).

But if you have plenty of trigger time with that trigger, you'll be fine.

Ambrose

As long as you have the same TYPE of triggers on all your rifles, you should have fewer problems. I was recently at my range shooting a Savage model 11 with the "accu-trigger", a 1903-A3 with the two-stage military trigger, along with a 721 and an old model 70. I had to remind myself, when changing rifles, not to "take up the slack" on the 721 and 70!

charliemeyer007

+1 Ambrose. I think you should be just fine as they are, however they are adjustable for a reason. If you want more pull go for it.