Author Topic: Hunting Trigger Weight (Read 701 times)

Weatherby223 · « **on:** July 04, 2004, 04:38:24 PM »

Just wondering what weight of pull you all set your triggers for in a Hunting situation? My Trigger was completely covered in dust on the weekend and now it is creepy and horrible even after i cleaned it last night, :cry: it did have creep before but it was smooth so i didn't bother about it, so its going to the shop to get some work on it. I do knock it around a fair bit :twisted: so i want a safe pull weight but not an overly hard let off either..
Happy Hunting...
Mick

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2004, 04:17:41 AM »

I would never want more than a 3# trigger for anything. On the other hand not less than 2.5#s for hunting. I benchrest with the same rifles that I hunt with and heavier triggers take forever to go off when shooting off of the bench. You may not notice it as much when hunting, but I like to use the same rifles . . . no surprises.

Long

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2004, 08:46:52 AM »

As a general rule a 3 to 3 1/2 pound pull is as low as I suggest setting a hunting rifle. Remove all the slack and overtravel and make it break cleanly. For those like Longwinters who spend a lot of time with target rifles on bench rests I may set a hunting trigger as low as 2 1/2 but with the warning the if used in the cold where heavy gloves and numb fingers are the norm extra care must be taken.. Normally 3 to 3 1/2 is low enough. The Quality of the pull is more important than the weight.. Try cleaing that trigger assembly with carb cleaner(outdoors please) and lube with LockEase, which is graphite suspended in a volatile solvent. As soon as its applied the solvent vaporizes and the graphite is left. This dry lube won't attract dirt and fouling as fast as oil of grease. This works especially well on 22 rimfires due to their dirty nature.. As a note I use the cheapest brand sold at the local WalMart. It doesn'r contain any unwanted additives and cost less than $.85 which is also nice.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:50:39 AM »

I'm with Gunnut on the trigger pull weight. I like my pull weight set between 3 and 3.5 pounds. If you are going to shoot mostly off hand the lighter pull weights are not much help IMHO.

Weatherby223 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2004, 02:25:41 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys! I have got the Rifle at the Gunsmith at the moment getting it done. I have taken your advice and gone for around 3.5pounds. Happy Hunting...
Mick

tbonecpa · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2004, 03:14:45 AM »

I adjusted the trigger on my Model 70 last weekend and used a fish scale to check the pull. It is set at 3 1/2 lbs. It is incredibly easy to adjust the trigger on that gun. I had the action out of the stock to change to a sythetic stock and figured why not play with the trigger too. Haven't shot it yet but I really like the feel now.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2004, 10:17:32 AM »

Guys-
Remember that anytime a trigger is altered to perform tests to be certain that the trigger will withstand normal use safely. Of course be extra cautious and be certain the rifle is empty and is never pointed in a dangerous direction. Drop the rifle butt down on a firm surface(clean wood) several times. It must hit very hard. This impact accelerates the trigger parts to a high velocity, then suddenly stops them. The spring pressure must not allow the weapon to discharge. Slam the bolt open and closed serval times. It must NEVER fail to hold the striker cocked. If it fails either test it must be set to a higher pull for safeties sake.

Hooker · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2004, 06:29:46 PM »

This may be of interest my rifle triggers are all set at 3# with the acception of my muzzel loader which has a 1# trigger pull.
My bow release is set at 6 ounces you dont pull it you touch it.
I'am pretty sure I would'nt want a rifle trigger that light. But is a joy to shoot.

Pat

gunnut69 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2004, 07:03:30 AM »

I have adjusted trigger pulls to extremely low weights but only under specific circemstances. Some benchrest rifles are adjust to very low pulls as are some silhouet rifles. In many instances special triggers are used, built with very tight tolerances and light weight trigger blade components they allow extremely light pulls, safely. Even then I get the willies... There really doesn't have to be any reasonable cause for an attorney to file a suit, just a connection.. If someone gets hurt with the rifle there will likely be a suit, even if it was not the triggers fault... Justice has little to do with it, just money... I've found that 3 pounds perhaps a bit less, is about the least most can handle safely in the field and that is a very useable weight. Learning to shoot is still more important than the equipment.