Ideal Trigger Pull Weight on a Hunting Rifle

[Buckmastr]

2-3# works for me.

 

[marty06]

two and a half to three works for me.

 

[Potashminer]

What level of accuracy is possible? I am working with some triggers that you screw in a little screw against a coil spring to set trigger pull weight - doing it totally "red neck" - I have one pop container weighting 3.25 pounds per my postal scale - triggers have to pick that up without tripping. Then, a second one that weighs 3.5 pounds - so four ounces heavier - I can get all triggers, so far, to always trip when that one is lifted. Should I be able to get to a tighter tolerance than that 4 ounce range??

 

[DGY]

Interesting. I think pulling a trigger with gloves on is asking for disaster. No way to know when it will let go with your finger insulated with glove padding. If I had to wear gloves for the cold, I'd remove the glove on my trigger hand before putting finger to trigger.

At -30-40c if you put barre skin to metal you are most likely to burn that skin! I wear a thin glove but not direct skin on metal that’s for sure!!

 

[emerson]

I’ve been shooting in the mid -20s a lot the last couple months. I have thin gloves with the trigger finger cut off that I wear inside bigger gloves. The shooting one comes off to shoot. It works for 10 shot strings.

 

[BlackRam]

I have the triggers on all of my bolt actions set for a clean, crisp break @ 3 lbs. I can still feel the trigger when hunting and shooting with a light glove on in cold weather.
It really depends on the rifle and its trigger. As explained to me by a gunsmith many years ago, some factory triggers become unsafe if set too low, and will discharger from a small bump. Safety first, and at 3 lbs, it has never been an issue. I get good accuracy, and have a safe rifle; and that's what is most important to me as a hunter and a shooter.
On my lever action rifles, it depends on the make and model as some are not easily adjustable. And many models, gunsmiths will not fool with at all. These, I accept them as is, and learn to shoot that rifle and know the trigger's unique characteristics. With practice over time, I have managed to learn how to get the best consistent accuracy out of that rifle, both at the range and in thee field.

 

[Milt Dale]

The weight is entirely up to the experience of the shooter. I have encountered neanderthals who feel 5 pounds is a light trigger and anything less in their hands is dangerous...

I have set a lot of triggers at a crisp 2 and 1/4 to 2 and 1/2 pounds for many hunters.

I am one of the Neanderthals, I have been using tools mostly outside for many years so I have very strong and awkward hands and fingers that have seen some trauma and are not that sensitive to weight, I want a crisp trigger but nothing under three pounds and I don't really notice a much heavier trigger.

 

[DVXDUDE]

I like all my hunting rifles under 3lbs. I often use the set trigger on my Sako as well. That's light, Gotta be under a pound, Usually only use it on 300+ yard shots on coyotes.

 

[alpining]

Interesting. I think pulling a trigger with gloves on is asking for disaster. No way to know when it will let go with your finger insulated with glove padding. If I had to wear gloves for the cold, I'd remove the glove on my trigger hand before putting finger to trigger.

Disagree - If your hunting doesn't require gloves, good for you. I've hunted wearing gloves plenty, and removing the glove just before firing is not always an option.

It's no accident that many firearms come standard with "oversized" trigger guards.

As above, 2.5lbs is a good minimum. My hunting will never benefit from a trigger pull below probably... 3.5lbs or so.

 

[alpining]

...
I guess just as important as pull weight is freedom from any creep on take-up--a clean break, as SuperCub mentions. I think I'd rather have a heavy trigger with absolutely no creep than a light one with creep.

I prefer smooth and consistent creep as long as there is a clearly defined wall before the break. Learning to shoot pistols sure changed my trigger preferences and expectations across the board.

 

[mrgoat]

My bolt guns all have adjustable triggers, M-70's and Kimber 8400, all set from 3 to 3.5 Ibs. No creep and over travel and break crisp and clean. I have a few semi's that just are what they are from the factory, lots of creep and over travel break at 5 to 6Ibs.

 

[Rob]

3.5 lbs. unset, 8 oz. set.

But...that is only for one rifle, a stock Brno ZKK 600 with the early slim stock. On some of my others the ideal weight can vary depending on shape and size of grip and the resulting hand position, etc. There is no one ideal weight for all rifles.

 

[South Pender]

3.5 oz. unset, 8 oz. set

Assume you meant 3.5 lbs. unset, 8 oz. set.

 

[remington jim]

I like 2.2 or less. I dont recommend that for new shooters, people with buck fever or sausage fingers though

LOL ! Yea 2 Lbs is my liking ! RJ

 

[trapoholic]

Whatever works and is comfortable for you in my honest opinion. Could be 2 pounds could be 7. Comes down to the person honestly.

 

[The Kurgan]

3 pounds for me, and if it has a set trigger, 11 oz.
Mind you, I have adjusted to the pull weight on my SKS. It's all about practice.

 

[mmcintyre1220]

IMO it should not matter what the purpose of said rifle is, if you practice with it and the trigger is safe go for it. Most of my rifles fall in the 2-3lb category

 

[BigUglyMan]

To me it all depends on where and how you hunt. Some guys drive country roads all day and jump out of the truck to shoot a deer. That requires something very different from someone that walks and stalks in Northern Alberta or Northern BC.

Personally I'm not hung up on a light trigger pull. If your hands are cold your fingers may be quite numb and when you go to take the shot a light trigger might be a little jumpy. Meanwhile a crisp 5lb trigger will be much more forgiving. So I tend to prefer something from anywhere in the 4-5lbs range.