What is the purpose and usage of double set triggers on a bolt rifle?

Setting the trigger permits you to squeeze the trigger with a lot less pressure, thereby reducing the likelihood of pulling your shot due to an inopportune crunching of the trigger.

It's far more useful on rifles used from stands where one shoots while seated with the rifle in a supported position.

George

I've got them on my Steyr SSG P-II and I love them.You can ues the back trigger to set the front to 4oz.or choose to just use the front @ about 2.5lbs.When set @ 4 oz.they are great for running game or precsion shooting.

So one trigger sets the other to a lighter weight? So basically one trigger is the fire trigger and the other is used to lighten the fire trigger. If not set it is heavier but if you set it by squeezing the back trigger it then lessens the pull on the front trigger. Is this right or did I misunderstand?

I am talking about the bolt rifles you see with two triggers like a DR.

I think that you rqiestion has been answered, but Morris Hallowell has a nice explanation here.

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
So one trigger sets the other to a lighter weight? So basically one trigger is the fire trigger and the other is used to lighten the fire trigger. If not set it is heavier but if you set it by squeezing the back trigger it then lessens the pull on the front trigger. Is this right or did I misunderstand?

I am talking about the bolt rifles you see with two triggers like a DR.

You've got it straight. I have it on my Steyr Professional. When the trigger is set, it only takes a"touch" to the front trigger to fire. Excellent for cutting paper at the range. I don't put my finger on trigger when set, until I want to fire. It's that sensitive.

You can find an exaple to see and handle if you find a Thompson Center Hawkin muzzle loader rifle at the local gun store. Not on par with the triggers on the rifles mentioned above but same operation. Probably found on some of the other Hawkins replicas too.

JPK

Used normally, the front trigger pushes the sear away from the cocking piece, allowing the rifle to fire. The trigger pull is several pounds, with some take up.

By pulling the rear trigger first, a lever is cocked against a heavy leaf spring. When you then "touch" the front trigger, this lever is released and it slaps the sear away from the cocking piece. The trigger pull is measured in ounces. A screw in between the triggers allows you adjust the amount of take-up when using the set feature.

Try one of these set triggers for offhand shooting and you'll love it. The set trigger will make it a bunch easier. Almost all of the traditional styled muzzleloaders were equipped with double set triggers.

And some, maybe Brno? have a single set trigger.
Push it forward and it sets.

I personally love set triggers - whether double or single. My hunting rifles all have set triggers with the exception of my 404 Jeff...don't want to mess with them on a DGR. Once you get accustomed to using them, they are great!

For some reason, despite the fact that most old-time ML rifles made in the early days in America by the German gunsmiths had double-set triggers, and these were also employed quite extensively on 19th century precision rifles including Schutzens and even the Sharps, we have gotten away from them in this country. Maybe this is due to the influence of lever-action repeaters and military bolt-action rifles. However, the Germans seem to have continued to use them on their high-grade sporting rifles.

If a person is willing to practice using the DST to the point that it becomes instinctive, that is, one need not think about it to use it correctly when in the presence of game, it is by far the best trigger of all for a hunting, target, or sniping rifle regardless of whether your quarry is siting still or running! If you are NOT willing to learn how to use it instinctively, you should avoid it altogether. I have three ML rifles with DST's, and have owned three Mannlicher/Schoenauers and one Mauser with them as well. By far the best of all hunting triggers!

I do not consider a single-set trigger to be at all suitable as a hunting trigger (I have thre rifles with them) unless it can be adjusted for a light unset letoff. This is because the SST has to be pushed forward to set it, and if you have cold or wet fingers, it is EASY for it to slip while being set, causing a premature shot! The DST allows complete & total control of what's happening as you set it even if you have cold hands or are wearing gloves.