I have read alot about bouncing the butt of your rifle on a carpeted floor with the safety off after adjusting the trigger. Most agree this is a good test, but then the disagreement comes to play. Should the rifle not fire at all, or, if the trigger is 4# or so, it will fire no matter what?

How do you bounce test your rifles and what do you expect/demand as far as whether or not they fire?

It should not fire at all, no matter how hard you bounce it. If the inertia in a trigger that weighs an ounce or so is enough to cause a discharge when you bounce the butt off of the floor, no matter how hard the bounce, the trigger is improperly adjusted.

I DO bounce mine. If the hammer drops I go back to work. Remember though I'm not a gunsmith. I also put on the safety and pull the trigger to see if the safety still works. I then take off the safety and it better not drop the hammer. And I repeat these tests several times.

I set all my triggers to 2.5 - 2.75 lbs, except for dangerous game rifles which I set for 4.5 lbs.

I don't know if these tests would be okay for bench rest rifles with thier very light trigger pulls.

Of course I do these tests with the gun unloaded

Roi

The capability of withstand the bounching to the flor, or a verry rapid slamming of the bolt, is primarily a matter of trigger design. A well designed and well balanced trigger can be adjusted to 1.5 pound and still capable of withstanding both bouncing and slamming.
For safety reasons a trigger should stand a drop from at least 4 fot high and a slamming as fast as you can on a empty magasine.

I can't get my 11/2 oz. triggers to release bouncing a gun.

I like to put the safety on then pull the trigger as if firing then do the bounce test. then take the safety off to check if the pin will fall. If it has a half safety , I will go through this process on the half safe (middle position on a three position safety) mode also. Try all posibilities. Then try it off safe, also.

Basically, if a person is intent on carrying a rifle with a round in the chamber into the field for the purpose of taking game, then that trigger should be able to withstand rough handling i.e., heavy slamming and rapid cycling of the bolt, and to some degree, an idiot dropping, or, stumbling and falling with his loaded rifle. A target rifle used in a controlled and well regulated environment need only withstand the closing of the bolt.

I am a firm believer that a hunting rifle need only have a round in the chamber once the target is spotted and identified. It takes very little effort to cycle a round from the magazine to the chamber prior to taking a shot. However, a dangerous game situation requires a live one up the pipe, but in that setting, the trigger can be set with enough tension to withstand an accidental fall or slip.

You should perform the same tests with the safety engaged, i.e. pulling the trigger, jarring the action etc., then after removing the safety, provided the bolt stayed cocked, immediately repeat the test with the safety off and see if it still holds. It should.

quote:

I am a firm believer that a hunting rifle need only have a round in the chamber once the target is spotted and identified. It takes very little effort to cycle a round from the magazine to the chamber prior to taking a shot. However, a dangerous game situation requires a live one up the pipe, but in that setting, the trigger can be set with enough tension to withstand an accidental fall or slip

quote:

Originally posted by malm:
I am a firm believer that a hunting rifle need only have a round in the chamber once the target is spotted and identified. It takes very little effort to cycle a round from the magazine to the chamber prior to taking a shot.

That is rather presumptuous isn't it? None of my centerfires "cycle a round from the magazine"

Brent

malm, you walk around the Maine woods without a round in the chamber you won't get too meny shots in the course of a thousand years or so.

quote:

None of my centerfires "cycle a round from the magazine"

You only use single shots? To me having a round in a encore is a different issue.

I normally leave the chamber empty if I'm walking. I do a drop test. I also wack the crap out of the back of the bolt (end of the firing pin) with a plastic mallet as well.

I think the drop test is an acid test.. blunt tool, but it works

jeffe

I've got a 2 ounce Shilen trigger on my Dakota solid bottom bench rest actioned varmint rifle. Very few of these actions made. When the trigger is set a 1.5 oz and the rifle is in battery I can bounce the rifle 6" off the ground when dropping it on the buttpad. The trigger will not release. I was very surprised that such a light trigger would not fire when subjected to such abuse. must be a very well designed trigger.

gunmaker

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:


That is rather presumptuous isn't it? None of my centerfires "cycle a round from the magazine"

Brent

Presumptuous? The "cycle a round from the magazine" comment is directed to those who have guns that can. If yours won't, then that particular comment wouldn't apply in your situation.

Malm,
A single shot with a round in the chamber is okay but a magazine rifle is not?

Whatever...
Brent

quote:

Malm,
A single shot with a round in the chamber is okay but a magazine rifle is not?

If the single shot is an encore I don't have a problem with it. The hammer and I believe block give more insurance. If it is a single shot bolt I see it like a normal bolt action. I used to carry a round in the chamber. Until I was elk hunting with a buddy in the heavy woods. Walked through brush. Somewhere along the line my safety was pushed off next heavy brush the rifle went off hanging in the sling from my shoulder. Thanks goodness it was pointed straight up. Since then no round in the chamber. Unless it would be for self protection it isn't worth it to me. If I miss the chance for a shot. There will be another.

Ramrod,
I can see your point. I have a similar "rule". If I have complete control of the muzzle (two handed port arms) I have a round in the chamber and safety on. If I don't have complete control (slung) no round in the chamber and fireing pin down.

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:
Malm,
A single shot with a round in the chamber is okay but a magazine rifle is not?

Whatever...
Brent

Brent, what page are you on??? I didn't say anything about a single shot. It is obvious that if you can't cycle a round from a magazine, then the comment about cycling a round wasn't meant for you.

Hmmm. got to thinking about this one. Would you need to have a round in the chamber to see if it goes off or not?

Malm, I gotcha... though some guys may think round in the chamber is round in the chamber, and in some cases, relying on the safety (double rifles for the most part)

jeffe