Ideal Trigger Pull Weight on a Hunting Rifle
- Thread starter South Pender
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I set all my hunting rifles to 3.5 lbs. I have a couple varmint rifles that are a little lighter, and one or two non-adjustable triggers that are heavier. But 3.5 lb. is a perfect compromise for me. I can feel that much weight in cold weather with gloves on, and still find it light enough not to disturb my aim when reaching out to poke a small varmint. I have had more trouble hunting with triggers set too light than I ever had with triggers that were too heavy. Once the rifle fires, you can't call the bullet back. I've missed a couple shots with light triggers, and gloved, cold hands. The trend in triggers is going just like the trend in scopes. Lighter / more power. Great if you are only shooting paper from a bench rest, but for real hunting you can have too much of a good thing.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I've had good success with my rifles on critters with pull weights ranging from a few ounces to a tad over 6 lbs. It depends on folks hunting methods and game sought.
Trigger Tech's "Primary" trigger group is designed to be marketed as a hunting trigger and is set from the factory to be 2.5-3 lbs.
It is of course adjustable if you desire a heavier or lighter pull but this is their recommendation spec for hunting as indicated by their customer service.
It is of course adjustable if you desire a heavier or lighter pull but this is their recommendation spec for hunting as indicated by their customer service.
I don’t think I have any rifle under 4.5-5 pounds other than that new to me mauser 98 with double set triggers, and I never had a problem on getting games or shooting moa at the bench!
Some people are really particular with there trigger, not me!
Some people are really particular with there trigger, not me!
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 3lbs
Weatherby Fan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple Ridge,BC,Canada
I set all my hunting rifles at 2.5lbs but anywhere between 2.5 to 3lbs is ideal in a hunting rifle.
Weatherby Fan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple Ridge,BC,Canada
Two things that improved my consistency at the bench, a lighter trigger and a proper bedding job, I used scoff at the idea that either would or could help me, well call me a slow learner but both are equally important and consider me taught, besides those two things a good barrel !
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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 have set a lot of triggers at a crisp 2 and 1/4 to 2 and 1/2 pounds for many hunters.
I don't know, but I have a rifle with a Sako trigger and it is much lighter than my other rifles, so I cannot gently rest my finger on the trigger at all prior to shooting like on my other rifles because it fires if I do that. I've had a couple premature discharges as I've sighted on an animal so I have to really be careful with that one. I've adjusted it, but it still needs a tweak.
Yeah. I have a Sako with a set trigger. It goes at about 8 oz. set and about 2¼ lbs. unset. I love it. It permits precise bench shooting for load development in set mode, but I wouldn't use it in set mode while hunting.
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.
buck knife
CGN Regular
- Location
- Golden forest
I like a smooth trigger,clean break say 4lb for hunting rifle.my Blr has a 7 pound pull trigger and it still feels decent.My hunting sbl had a heavy sloppy trigger from the factory,I replaced it with a wild west guns trigger happy kit and it feels very nice and has increased the accurracy a fair amount since the trigger upgrade.
