Why does setting the trigger to a lighter pull weight improve accuracy? How much does this cost and what can I expect as far as groups go? This is on a Rem 700 BDL SS in 7mm Rem Mag. Thanks

Nathan....all it does is allow "you" to shoot better....it doesn't do anything for the intrinsic accuracy of the rifle.

My Model 70 Win. came with a trigger set at 8lbs. you could squeeze till you were blue in the face and then finally it would go off.The groups were about 2" at 100yds. at best.So off to the 'smith I go I ask him to lighten the trigger up,he reply he would but only after he did a complete trigger job on in.I ask how much he said $40.00 I figured what the hell and went for it.He worked the trigger and set it at 2 1/2lbs. it breaks like thin glass and my groups with the same ammo shrank to 3/4" the trigger job was well worth it to me.The heavy trigger gave me too much time to anticipate the shot resulting in poor shooting by me.The trigger job proved it wasn't the rifle but me.

In general, a creepy pull is even worse than a heavy pull. Before the trigger job on my 7600, I could start pulling in the morning, and there was enough creep in it so it would not go off till supper time...... Groups went from the 2" range to the 1 to 1.5" range.

That said, there really is nothing better for target shooting than a nice 2 oz trigger. Unforturnately, for hunting, I don't want anything less than 2.5 to 3 lbs. One episode with cold fingers will explain one of the reasons why. FWIW, Dutch.

The three post above all hit the nail on the head.
IMO, A light trigger pull is useless if it has excess creep. A crisp trigger is useless if it is set very heavy.
All the triggers on my hunting rifles are set at 2 lbs with zero creep.
Where I hunt, it seldom gets cold enough to wear gloves while hunting. If it did I believe I would up the pull weight slightly so I didn't accidently pull the trigger with a heavy gloved finger.
Also, I do not loan my rifles to anyone because of the trigger setting.
HTH

I have all mine set at 3-3.5# and they work very well for me in all weather.

I both my big game rifles are set to between 2 3/4 to 3 lbs. While hunting in the cold, I wear those half finger gloves with a mitten cap, and thin liner gloves under them. That eliminates the problem of a light trigger, heavy gloves and cold fingers.

My rifles are Howa and Sako. Both are very easy to adjust without anything more complex than turning a screw with a small screw driver (Howa) or a small hex wrench (Sako). The Sako owner's manual actually explains how to do it. For the Howa, all I had to do was ask how on a few different forums.

Nathan, your Remington trigger can be adjusted although the newer models have some kind of epoxy over the adjustment screws. Some gunsmiths don't like messing with the factory trigger. I've had a couple of Rem 700 triggers adjusted and they shoot just fine. For a change I just replaced the factory trigger on my 7mm mag Sendero with a Timney which is set at 2 pounds 10 ounces. Very nice improvement. Low cost and easy to install. The Timney appears to be a very rugged unit. I've got one on another rifle as well. Not the most expensive aftermarket trigger, but very good. Guy

Ditto what rws2 said.

My Rem M700 BDL came with an 8 pound trigger as well. You could hold the rifle by the trigger and it wouldn't go off-- probably to lawyerize the rifle--it is hard to say "it just went off" when the trigger pull weighs more than the gun. Anyways local smith charged $20 and tuned it to a crisp 40 oz and my shooting improved dramatically.

You don't want to go any lower than 2.5 pounds. I had an episode opening day this year where I missed a buck standing broadside at 30 yards cause I had my finger in the trigger guard when I took off the safety but could barely feel the trigger through my gloves.