When I was younger, I too knew nothing about the issue of trigger pull. Later in life (not that much later) a gunsmith by the name of George Vais (the inventor and patent holder of the famous Vais Muzzle brake) told me while I was in his shop in Houston, Texas that the "secret" to good accuracy is not knowing exactly when the rifle will go off because if you do, then you have a tendency to flinch. He said that when the gun goes off, it should be a "surprise." Well, after having trigger jobs on several of my bolt action rifles, I can tell you that it works. My groups were tighter. I had, and still do, have a problem with the way that he phrased it - "surprise" because that denotes that something sounds kinda dangerous. However, don't take the term too seriously. It's not like the gun will go off at any time. Additionally, if you practice with a light trigger, then you expect it - thus no more surprise.
I think that the most applicable thing about lighter triggers is that it leave you less time to "pull the rifle." Meaning that, you may be on target, but by pulling the trigger hard, you have a tendency to pull it one way or the other.
When I started having competent gunsmiths do trigger jobs, I started with a 3 1/2" lbs. I loved it. Then I went down to 3 lbs. Virtually all of my guns have 3 lb pulls. Recently, I had a Jewell trigger installed on my Remington 700 BDL SS DM. What a trigger! :eek: And at $230, it should be. The gunsmith told me it should be set at 2 lbs. I said that was too light, so we compromised at 2 1/4 lbs. Let me tell you - I love it. Now I think that the 3 lbs are on the heavy side, and the 3 1/2 are just too heavy, and the out-of-the-box 4 to 6 lbs are just untolerable.
Now, would I ever go down to, say 1.5 lbs? Maybe, but I don't think so. Keep in mind that factory triggers, although capable of being set as low as 3 lbs or so, are safe, they should not be set any lower. On the other hand, there are aftermarket triggers, like Jewell, that are especially set at the factory as low as 2 OUNCES! :eek: (I.E. ONE EIGHTH OF A POUND!!). Yes, these are for BENCHREST SHOOTING ONLY, and I would NEVER use such a light trigger for hunting purposes - just too many factors that could cause disaster - hunting gloves and cold weather - you'd never even FEEL the trigger!
Yes, many years ago most people never even heard of the trigger pull issue. Then again, many years ago people never even heard of anti-lock disc brakes, power windows and door locks, automatic transmission, etc. You see, what formula car racing is to our everyday city cars is what benchrest shooting rifles it to hunting rifles. Our cars today use some of the technology that was derived from the racing cars. Our hunting rifles (especially the long range bean field rifles) use technology that is derived from the benchrest rifles.
Take a look at the Remington Sendero SF. It has a true synthetic stock, stainless steel bull barrel, which is fluted, and free-floated, and recessed target crown (if i remember correctly). In any event, this is what the benchrest rifles of the 1980s, 90s, and even today look like. Granted, the Sendero is heavy, just like some benchrest rifles, but you can't deny that they are derived from benchrest technology.
What I'm trying to say is that change is good, or at least sometimes it's good. I still have some concerns (and fears) about technology, but at least in this regard - rifles, I have no problem with it. In fact, I welcome it. :grin:
Now, if people are not comfortable with light triggers, then they should not shoot with them. On the other hand, if other people are truly comfortable with them, and simply not "magazine" shooters, then they should not use it. Then again, all it takes is some practice - just like with me. :wink:
Zachary
