That is one of the problems with the 77, if the pin fits sloppily, the trigger obviously won't be anything but creepy. Usually the best way is to drill it out for a new larger pin and fit it tight, but deforming it as you did will also work. I can usually rework a m77 trigger faster than I can install a Timney and have a good 2.5 pound pull as well.

Coach Hunt pegged it correctly. I too replaced one in a M77 and the safety worked fine, but the trigger was not what I had hoped for.

Replace the springs in the one you have and you'll be happier. My current 30/06 M77 has the original trigger and lighter springs and it is super.

My son was given an old style tang-safey Ruger M77, 30-06. My father-in-law bought in the late 80s (I think), and never fired a round in it so it's like new. It has an "adjustable" trigger, but even at the minimum setting it's got a hard pull. I looked at Midway Shooter's Supply to see if I could buy a replacement Timney Trigger and under the Customer Feedback section I saw quite a bit of disagreement as to whether this trigger would cause the gun's safey to not function properly. See this link:
Timney Triggers

Does anyone here have any experience with this? Is there anything else I can do to improve the trigger? I own a M77 that I bought in the mid-70s and it has a better trigger than this new one.

Thanks!

Howdy,

I replaced a Ruger trigger with a Timney for a friend last summer. His was also the tang type safety. Although the safety worked fine on the modification, I was not (repeat) NOT happy with the quality of the new Timney trigger. I adjusted the poundage to 3.5 pounds and dared not make it any lighter. The ancoring of the trigger to a roll-pin in the receiver bothers me. I never felt like I had a secure "bond" there until I had distorted the roll-pin. I wish I could have found or manufactured a new pin; but, we ran out of time. Hope this helps.

Coach