Gents, I'd like your thoughts on the ideal trigger pull weight for a .300 WinMag rifle for plains game.

My son Will and I are leaving in 12 days for Zimbabwe. He has practiced a lot with the rifle, but to be honest, I think the trigger is too light for him. For sure, too light is better than too heavy but I think his confidence would be better with a bit heavier pull.

His rifle is a Merkel Helix and luckily the Steyr/Merkel factory gunsmith is 10 miles from my house. Next Monday he is going to adjust the trigger for me so I'd like opinions on pull weight. I was thinking about 3 1/2 pounds (according to the Merkel website it is currently 800 grams which is 1.75 pounds approx.)

Thanks!

Personally, I like a light/crisp trigger but if he doesn't, 3.5 lbs should make him feel more comfortable.
I like mine right around 2 lbs.

I had a mix of shots

100 all the way through 341 yards

The average was 200

I like a light trigger with no creep for shots like these

2.5 to 3 lbs

Triggers are a personal preference and while I favor lighter (2lbs) 3.5lbs is certainly not heavy. But are you sure you want to change this late if he has been practicing a lot as you said? If you change it a week from today that is 5 days from departure. What if it hurts rather than helps?

Just a thought.

Best of luck to both of you on the hunt.

Regards,

Don

I think your instincts are sound Paul. The existing pull is awfully light when you roll into the mix your son's age coupled with a little excitement and nervousness.

Thanks Gents.

I have worried about changing now that he has been practicing for the last four months with the Merkel. But in general, I pretty much worry every decision I make will make things worse.

One the other hand, he has shot my AHR/CZ .30-'06 and his Steyr Scout also and likes those triggers more than the Merkel's. My AHR rifle's trigger is 3 1/2 pounds.

As Mike said, the light trigger coupled with the excitement of Africa might be a poor mix.

I find 2.5 pounds about right. If you can, all your rifles should be close to the same including your 22 LR this will make for some really consistent practice.

I like everything at 3 lbs. so they are all consistent. No surprises that way.

I think you are right I would not go under 3 lbs

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Thanks Gents.

I have worried about changing now that he has been practicing for the last four months with the Merkel. But in general, I pretty much worry every decision I make will make things worse.

One the other hand, he has shot my AHR/CZ .30-'06 and his Steyr Scout also and likes those triggers more than the Merkel's. My AHR rifle's trigger is 3 1/2 pounds.

As Mike said, the light trigger coupled with the excitement of Africa might be a poor mix.

40 ounces for me but to each his/her own! Nothing worse for my accuracy than a too heavy trigger...

I like 2.5 to 3 lbs with no creep.

quote:

I like 2.5 to 3 lbs with no creep.

That works out quite well for my needs.

I have adjusted my 375/404 for 2 pounds.

Have been using it, as well as many other hunters have been using it, for many years, and the love it.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

I like 2.5 to 3 lbs with no creep.

That works out quite well for my needs.

Same for me.

I use the Rice Krispies rule. Snap is okay. Crackle is bad. Pop is best.

Most agree it seems on light and crisp!!
I personally hate trigger creep.
I have mine set to "break like glass" at 2.5lbs..
Somewhere in that range seems to be a consensus...
Weight around a few ounces there matters less than the proper sudden break of the trigger.
I never liked the old CZ Bruno's or the Savage creepy trigger pull

2.5 to 3.0, minimal creep, minimal over travel. You can change the trigger at this late date, as long as you don't try to make it lighter. Muscle memory can deal with having to pull more, but if you adjust it lighter, you will pull right past it.
Doug

I don't see a problem with 2 pounds, and I'm inclined not to make any changes at the last minute.