I was just wondering what kind of trigger pull weight you guy's find best suited for your hunting rifle's. Also what would you class a hair trigger to be.(pull weight). Thank's : Rick.

IMHO, minimizing creep is more critical than reducing pull weight. Having said that, a hunting trigger with a 2-2.5 lb pull and ZERO creep is what I consider ideal. As far as a hair trigger, anything under 11 ounces with ZERO creep falls into that catagory.

Three pounds is good, IMO. My Blasers with their special searless triggers have pull weights of right around 2 1/2 pounds, plus or minus, and they are the best I have used.

I like a good trigger, but I have found that anything up to 5 or 7 pounds or so is manageable, as long as it's clean. But the heavier the trigger pull is, the harder it is to manage to bring off the shot without disturbing the sight picture.

I would think a hair trigger, such as a set trigger, to be worthy of the name, should be measured in ounces. I have a double set trigger on an old Mauser that lets off with from three to four ounces of pressure.

Big game rifles between 3-3.5 lbs. Varmint rifles or target rifles at 2 lbs. Second the concept of minimal creep.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Juggernaut76:
IMHO, minimizing creep is more critical than reducing pull weight. Having said that, a hunting trigger with a 2-2.5 lb pull and ZERO creep is what I consider ideal. As far as a hair trigger, anything under 11 ounces with ZERO creep falls into that catagory.

Exactly. If the pull is good, and crisp, it doesn't matter what the weight is, within reason. I like a good crisp 2.0 pound pull. But, I can live very well with one that is 4.0 pounds, if it is crisp.

Don

I prefer 2.75 - 3 pounds on a big game rifle.

3# or a bit more. and crisp. no creep. too light triggers don't allow for cold, wet fingers nor exceitment. Learn to keep you finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

A fellow aproached me at the range the other day who has been and is an African hunter. He practices a lot off hand. He asked what I thought of himgetting some trigger work done to set them at 2 lbs.

I told him to deside for himself. I than handed him a CZ with a set trigger at 2 lbs.The first shot ,off hand, went off before he knew what happened. After firing the second shot he desided 2 lbs. was just too light for him.

With practice 2 lbs. in a hunting rifle may be OK for some guys but not for all. roger

I'm working up a load for a .257 Wby Mk V right now, with a 3# trigger with lots of creep and what feels like fine sand between the mating surfaces. At the same time, I'm shooting a Savage with the Accu-trigger set at 1.7 lbs. The Wby is a PITA and if it was my rifle, would go in for a trigger job right now.

Quality of trigger is far more important (within a reasonable weight of pull) that weight.

I like target rifles to have triggers around 2# but would NEVER hunt with one like that.

For hunting I perfer at least a 3# pull, 4# is ideal. With proper trigger technique we should never pull off target with a 4# pull. For close shots at game, and most are, it's unlikely to matter at all but longer shots can easily be made with a CLEAN RELEASING 4# trigger.

And safety is greatly enhanced with 3-4# pull. No cold numbed, wet, gloved or excited finger should set the thing off prematurely.

Hunting just ain't target shooting. In the woods and fields, solid trigger control means a lot more than finest accuracy. With barely perceptable and smooth creep and just a little bit of over travel the safety should function 100% and no field shots need be missed because of the trigger.

My old Rem. 40x with a 2 oz trigger is useful off the bench, but not in the field. That's far too "hairy"!

Hunting 3-4 lb. Target or Varmint 2-2.5 lb. Smooth action with no or minimal creep .

I would think most everyone agrees with this .

I don't know what Benchrest shooters favor .

2 ounces and up ?. I've seen a trigger set so light on a TC , that when it heated up from firing or sun exposure hammer wouldn't stay set .
Owner not the brightest in IMO !. Down right Dangerous IMO.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Benchrest shooters typically use 2 oz Jewell triggers. I used 2 oz Hart and Remington triggers when I shot centerfire BR.
I have a 22 Rimfire BR rifle now with a 2 oz Jewell on it.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Wayne:
I was just wondering what kind of trigger pull weight you guy's find best suited for your hunting rifle's. Also what would you class a hair trigger to be.(pull weight). Thank's : Rick.

On a single-stage trigger, I set mine at 3 pounds for hunting rifles. A "hair trigger", IMO, is a German double-set trigger adjusted so that it fires just about the time your finger touches it-a couple of ounces. But it has to be one that will stay set securely up until your finger does touch it. The way I use such a trigger is that I pull the cocking trigger all the way back to set the trigger AFTER I have acquired the target in the scope, and touch the front trigger immediately when the reticle is on a vital spot. DST's are the best hunting trigger of all, BUT you have to train yourself to use it instinctively. This takes practice. People who don't like DST's are people who never learned how to use one correctly! The DST is NEVER set until the shot is to follow in a couple of seconds!

I like mine between 2.5 and 3 lbs.

I like 2.75-3.25 for a hunting rifle.

Hair trigger will have a different definition for everyone. I guess I would consider less than 1.5 a "hair trigger" on a hunting rifle. Target rifle would be much less.

Good Luck


Reloader

My hunting rifles are 2.5 and a lot of people shooting factory triggers try mean and think it is a hair trigger. What ever your finger gets acccustomed to and feels comfortable with works. No creep means a lot. I have shot 2.5 for so long that 4 feels horribly hard to pull. You have to be sensitive enough to be able to put your finger on the trigger and not fire until you squeeze. I can place my finger on a 8 oz trigger without it firing and wait for the wind conditions to get right. It takes practice to get the sensitivity in your finger. Do what feels good. There is no one number fits all.

Thank's alot guy's for the info, i'm going to set my Sako 300 rum. at 3.5 lb's and see how it feel's. I noticed my new Savage 243 with accu trigger is really stiff. I'm just waiting for my trigger gauge to come in the mail. Thank's again: Rick.

2 pounds, but, i rarely wear gloves w/ fingers.
were i in a colder climate i'd probably bump it up a pound. still, i dont like pretravel.

Creep is the worst problem, then weight. I like mine at a crisp 3lbs. But you need to wack the butt on a pad on the ground or something to jar the rifle after you've ajusted the trigger to make sure the rifle is safe. Some will take 3lbs (or 3.5lbs) fine, some won't. If a good jarring causes the trigger to trip you need a new triger if you want it that light.

JPK

Walking hunting guns- 3 Lbs

Dedicated varmint guns 12 oz up to 2 Lbs.

regardless of how well practiced you say you are with your 1.5# trigger, you shouldn't put your finger on it until you're ready to fire!! Until you have the rifle at your shoulder and see the target in the scope!! They don't always let you see those roots before you trip over them nor the big gloop of snow before it drops down your neck.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Creep is the worst problem, then weight. I like mine at a crisp 3lbs. But you need to wack the butt on a pad on the ground or something to jar the rifle after you've ajusted the trigger to make sure the rifle is safe. Some will take 3lbs (or 3.5lbs) fine, some won't. If a good jarring causes the trigger to trip you need a new triger if you want it that light.
JPK

Thanks, JPK!! This is excellent advice, that ALL need to heed!! Me included!