Dammit Trigger

[David58]

Last weekend my wife and I went to the range to start tuning up. The goal is at least three days per month at the range - not necessarily a lot of shooting at one time, but consistent practice.

Started out for fun with two of our lever rifles, one shooting 38's and the other 44 magnum. Lots of fun for my wife, and I had some fun with the hotter 44mag loads (I was surprised just how snappy they were in that little Marlin!).

Now on to my Ruger M77. Decided to work with some 150 grain Hornady (30-06) since I am getting ready for pronghorn.

Well, I done forgot how light the tricker is on my M77. After shooting a double of handfuls of ammo through the lever guns, that trigger on the Ruger is REAL light. Probably 4 shots out of 10 were dammits, knowing I had set it off before I was ready.

So...the only gun I shoot between now and then is my M77. Must learn that trigger. But if I can't get dialed back in, it's back up to Colorado to get it tightened up a bit. But the only rifle shooting I am doing between now and the last week of August is that 30-06. Well, maybe my double set trigger muzzleloaders might fit in, but even the 38-55 high wall has to take a back seat.

I wish it were simpler....

David
NM

 

[Huntmt28]

I'm not sure what's happening here......

 

[Caseknife]

Sounds like you just need to shoot more and get used to the triggers on each gun.

 

[p_ham]

You're going to be upset if that happens with a buck in the crosshairs. There's no need for a target weight trigger in a hunting rifle.

 

[nrpate05]

DO what you feel is right. It is nice to have consistency across triggers, but not necessary. I like triggers on the lighter side ~2 lbs or so. But, all of my hunting rifles are bolt guns and I can adjust them as I see fit. May just take some practice. Before your hunt spend some time with just your hunting rifle so you are used to that gun.

 

[jimh406]

Sounds like trigger jerker not squeezer. Dry fire the M77 until you stop.

 

[Don Fischer]

There is a down side to having light trigger's and not shooting a lot! My 6.5x06 is a 700 with the factory trigger adjusted to 3# pull. I'm pretty used to it but have had other people tell me they didn't pull the trigger and it just went off! One thing to have a light trigger another thing to learn to use it! These days I still have several rifles with 3# trigger's, all 700's but actually have gone up to 5# on most my other rifle's. Oh another thing about the 700 trigger. have never been able to adjust one below 3# and have it reliable! Don't know why and don't care, like heavier than super light triggers. How can you control what you can't feel?

 

[homers]

IMHO, you shouldn’t have finger on trigger until ready to shoot, target is acquired, then start adding pressure.

 

[std7mag]

Too light a trigger on a Ruger 77???

I think I saw Bigfoot once too...

It took the Wolfe spring set and honing on all 3 of my Ruger 77s to get them to where I like.
The 25-06 with the 24" light varmint barrel i could actually pick up by the trigger without it dry firing.

How heavy are your lever action triggers??!!

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I don’t get it. Why is your finger on the trigger if you’re not ready for it to fire?

 

[MS 9x56]

Squeeze Daniel San squeeze. Not pull.

 

[noharleyyet]

You need a lead sled...(ducks for cover)

 

[Darkside]

Too light a trigger on a Ruger 77???

I think I saw Bigfoot once too...

It took the Wolfe spring set and honing on all 3 of my Ruger 77s to get them to where I like.
The 25-06 with the 24" light varmint barrel i could actually pick up by the trigger without it dry firing.

How heavy are your lever action triggers??!!

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^.

 

[noharleyyet]

Factory Ruger#1 trigger...
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[MS 9x56]

Here in Ny our big game seasons tend to be during colder weather. With gloves being the norm I like my triggers between 3-5 lbs. I have several rifles with set triggers but rarely use them while hunting and never with gloves on.

 

[David58]

Since this got resurrected, I'll finish the story.

Shot only the M77, became comfortable with the trigger once again. Simply put, I need to shoot the rifle more. Some seem to miss the point that trigger weight can matter, and there are differences in the mechanics between a long, stiff trigger pull versus a light crisp one.

End of the story - I got the pronghorn, rifle shot true with this jerk behind the trigger, and I will shoot my '06 much more frequently at the range since it is the only centerfire rifle I use. And since all of my MLs have double set triggers, they won't be a bad influence. Now, as for that Ruger/Marlin 44mag...

 

[std7mag]

Here in Ny our big game seasons tend to be during colder weather. With gloves being the norm I like my triggers between 3-5 lbs. I have several rifles with set triggers but rarely use them while hunting and never with gloves on.

I'm in Pennsylvania, so not that different.
I wear those gloves that have a pocket sewn onto the back, turning them into mittens when you don't need the finger dexterity.
I have all my triggers set to 2-1/2lbs.
I've been out west in the winter. I'll take it over a north eastern winter any day!!
The thing that kills us on the east coast is the humidity!

 

[Darkside]

I like my hunting rifle triggers set at 1.5lbs. Ruger M77 trigger can be adjusted by a competent gunsmith.
Mitten type gloves are nice that open up and expose your fingers.
My hunting gloves I make a cut at the knuckle area on the palm side to be able to get my finger out, works very well.

 

[David58]

I like my hunting rifle triggers set at 1.5lbs. Ruger M77 trigger can be adjusted by a competent gunsmith.
Mitten type gloves are nice that open up and expose your fingers.
My hunting gloves I make a cut at the knuckle area on the palm side to be able to get my finger out, works very well.

My trigger was lightened by a gunsmith. I didn't say that terribly clearly in the original post, just implied it. Figgered folks could read my mind. I just have to be more mindful when I am shooting various rifles, the variety of trigger pulls can play with me a bit.

David
NM