Looking for advise on trigger improvement on Savage Model 12 ...

Tikka223

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I am looking for a lighter trigger pull on my Savage Model 12. It has the accutrigger but not the "match" trigger (accutrigger thing is not painted red on mine). I'm guessing I'm running between 1-2 pounds of pull at the moment and the trigger is at it's lightest setting. I suspect that the trigger pull weight is costing me a tiny bit down range.

Here are the options as I see them.

1) And let me know if this is even do-able ... I could call up Savage and ask them to mail me a trigger spring for the "match trigger" and simply swap the springs to lighten the pull. This will likely only cost 10$ direct from Savage.

2) I could replace the trigger. To date I have run across 4 options: Jewell, Timney, Rifle Basics, and Sharp Shooter Supply. From what I understand the Jewell is likely the best but also the most expensive. Reviews then seem to slightly favour the Timney over the Rifle Basics and some people seem to really like the SSS. I'm not sure if Timney makes one to replace the Accutrigger though, I couldn't find one on the website.

Any opinions?

Any experience with these trigger options?

I won't be using this for hunting, only for F/TR (it's a .223 Rem) and paper punching.
 
I have a Rifle Basix and a Timney in two of my rifles and they are both good triggers. I don't know if I could call one better than the other. I bought both of them from Jerry.
 
I would also like to know if a target accutrigger is available. I LOVE it. Would like one on every rifle that will take it.

Until that magic day comes I have 1 installed rifle basix trigger, and waiting for the second from Mystic. Rifle Basix makes a viable option for an upgrade.
 
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for the price of 10bucks id be tempted to just buy the spring and swap it into your trigger, IMO for what ever its worth, i think the accutrigger is probably the best production trigger on the market (excluding maybe some of the reealllly high end rifles available) so you could spend 10bucks and possibly be happy with the results, or you could spend 100+ and still just poossibly be happy with it.

i think its worth the 10 to try,
 
I have the match accutrigger in my Model 12. Trigger is set at about 1, 1.5 pounds having it any less and it gets a little touchy. Close the bolt to hard ( it doesn't take much force) and the gun will fire!! Scared the poo out of me the first time i did it. Like it says on the rifle "Warning:precision Target Trigger point rifle in a safe direction,then load and close bolt with extreme care" And then if you don't place your finger squarely on the trigger it tends to trip the trigger and you have to open and close the bolt to reset it. I'd get a Rifle Basix from Jerry I have one in my axis and it works fine
 
Try cutting a couple coils off of the main trigger spring at the top where they are all tightly compressed. Re-bend the end into the center and up so that it fits like it did before. The benefit of the accutrigger is that if you find you have lightened it too much and are having problems with it tripping on the bolt close, you can simply screw the spring back out a little bit.

It may also be helpful to replace the secondary spring on the accutrigger. Since you have to continue to pull both springs back that will also lighten the weight at which it breaks. Thats my theory anyhow. I used a pen spring trimmed to about half of its original size.
 
I am looking for a lighter trigger pull on my Savage Model 12. It has the accutrigger but not the "match" trigger (accutrigger thing is not painted red on mine). I'm guessing I'm running between 1-2 pounds of pull at the moment and the trigger is at it's lightest setting. I suspect that the trigger pull weight is costing me a tiny bit down range.

Here are the options as I see them.

1) And let me know if this is even do-able ... I could call up Savage and ask them to mail me a trigger spring for the "match trigger" and simply swap the springs to lighten the pull. This will likely only cost 10$ direct from Savage.

2) I could replace the trigger. To date I have run across 4 options: Jewell, Timney, Rifle Basics, and Sharp Shooter Supply. From what I understand the Jewell is likely the best but also the most expensive. Reviews then seem to slightly favour the Timney over the Rifle Basics and some people seem to really like the SSS. I'm not sure if Timney makes one to replace the Accutrigger though, I couldn't find one on the website.

Any opinions?

Any experience with these trigger options?

I won't be using this for hunting, only for F/TR (it's a .223 Rem) and paper punching.

First thing I would do is find out exactly what your true pull weight is with a good trigger gauge like Lyman electronic. If it's running under two pounds in all honesty unless you're shooting very serious matches with this rifle I'm not sure why you would want to drop the pull weight below what you've got now.

As has been pointed out you're taking a chance on an accidental discharge for the sake of what - .1" of accuracy increase if you're lucky as a trade off for creating a potentially very dangerous situation.

If the letoff is already crisp I think you're going to waste a lot of time and money for virtually no return in accuracy improvement and a lot more risk.

I'm all for performance improvement but from the info you've provided I don't see much up side here.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Try cutting a couple coils off of the main trigger spring at the top where they are all tightly compressed. Re-bend the end into the center and up so that it fits like it did before. The benefit of the accutrigger is that if you find you have lightened it too much and are having problems with it tripping on the bolt close, you can simply screw the spring back out a little bit.

It may also be helpful to replace the secondary spring on the accutrigger. Since you have to continue to pull both springs back that will also lighten the weight at which it breaks. Thats my theory anyhow. I used a pen spring trimmed to about half of its original size.

Is the bic setup safe? As is, I have be careful when I close the bolt to avoid that fail safe trigger mode. Never had any slam fires though.

How safe is the Rifle Basics at the 3oz mark? (Sav2 trigger)
 
Is the bic setup safe? As is, I have be careful when I close the bolt to avoid that fail safe trigger mode. Never had any slam fires though.

How safe is the Rifle Basics at the 3oz mark? (Sav2 trigger)

I don't have any experience with the Rifle Basics triggers but i have read that if you are planning on hunting with the rifle it is best to stick with the Sav1, if its a competition gun then the extra pennies for the 2 are well spent.
I wouldn't suggest using a Bic replacement for the main trigger spring, but I am quite happy with it for the accutrigger safety spring. I have also trimmed the main spring a little like i described and polished the sear with a felt wheel and polishing compound on a dremel. I dont have a scale but it is very light and no creep at all.

Anyone have tips for lubing the engagement surfaces? I have a graphite lube i got from canadian tire that I am using currently but am curious if something else is better. I like this because less grit will get suck in the dry graphite.
 
I have the match accutrigger in my Model 12. Trigger is set at about 1, 1.5 pounds having it any less and it gets a little touchy. Close the bolt to hard ( it doesn't take much force) and the gun will fire!! Scared the poo out of me the first time i did it. Like it says on the rifle "Warning:precision Target Trigger point rifle in a safe direction,then load and close bolt with extreme care" And then if you don't place your finger squarely on the trigger it tends to trip the trigger and you have to open and close the bolt to reset it. I'd get a Rifle Basix from Jerry I have one in my axis and it works fine

My factory accutrtigger on my model 12 will trip on the lightest setting if not pulled straight back. I would spend the money on a trigger, not just the spring.

PM me if you want to get rid of them. :D
 
I have to agree with ted dent here on this one. F/TR shot off a bipod and rear bag. If you really think a new trigger is going to buy you a win, spend your money. If you really think that 1-1.5 lbs trigger is holding you back from winning a provincial championship, spend the money. However, I think about 95% of that is in your head unless the trigger you have is creepy or hangs up and does not break clean.
 
I have to agree with ted dent here on this one. F/TR shot off a bipod and rear bag. If you really think a new trigger is going to buy you a win, spend your money. If you really think that 1-1.5 lbs trigger is holding you back from winning a provincial championship, spend the money. However, I think about 95% of that is in your head unless the trigger you have is creepy or hangs up and does not break clean.

I'm definitely not trying to win anything, just trying to make my rifle more accurate. I've never fired a rifle with a match trigger but I have pulled the trigger on the match accutriggers and it's nice having the lighter pull because I feel like there would be less tension when squeezing off each shot.

I'm not sold on the idea, just doing my research before I drop 150$ on something. The current trigger does break nice and there is no creep, just feels a bit heavy.
 
Tikka if you like we can met up at springfield and you can try the match trigger on my Model 12. You can see how it works before spending money
 
That's why I like my Tikka. 3 lb normal trigger (adjustable down to 2lbs), but push the trigger forward and you get an 8oz "set" trigger. No safety issues because you don't "set" the trigger till you are in position on your target, and can only be set after the bolt is locked.
 
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