Winchester Model 70 Trigger Question

[jackstrawIII]

Hey,

I'd like to bring the weight of my trigger down to 2lbs, but I can't get that low. I can back that screw way out and get it down to 3lbs, but then the screw comes out.

Can I do anything else to get the weight down to 2lbs? Or should I just order a Timney and put that in there?

Thanks.

Ps. See the photo attached showing the trigger. Thanks.

 

[Nathan]

You can and should get a lighter spring to go below 4lb on most guns. The worse thing you can do is lose all spring pressure.

As you back the screw out, you very quickly get to a point of lighter vs no spring pressure. Changing to the lighter spring allows you to get lighter with less risk.

At some point, even with a lighter spring, the sear engagement will become quite unstable side to side. The parts just are not well made enough to not wobble. That wobble changes the sear contact patch and therefore makes the release variable….and less safe.

You are better off buying the Timney for a good trigger or the Jewell for a great trigger.

 

[Unclenick]

Agree. I have adjusted the standard production triggers down to the point of getting a firing-on-closing of the bolt (safely pointing at the berm, thank goodness and common sense). It's not worth the risk of trying to over-lighten a production trigger.

 

[jackstrawIII]

Ok, thanks. I’ll get the Timney.

Timney makes two triggers for the model 70. Can you guys verify which one to get? This looks like the MOA trigger to me, right? Or is it the standard model 70 trigger?

 

[44 AMP]

Other than tell you to get a replacement trigger I can't help you as the trigger in your picture is not the factory one on my model 70, not even close...

If you're using it as a target or varmint rifle, its probably best to get a trigger made for ultra light pulls. If its a rifle for big game hunting, pull weights under 3lbs are seldom a good idea.

 

[jackstrawIII]

the trigger in your picture is not the factory one on my model 70, not even close...

Yeah, after more research, I’ve confirmed that it is the MOA trigger that Winchester started using in 2008. I’m going to try installing some new springs. Supposedly I can get it down to around 2lbs. We’ll try. If it doesn’t work, I'm only down $15. The springs are from a company called M-Carbo. Anyone used their stuff before?

 

[Nathan]

You can and should get a lighter spring to go below 4lb on most guns. The worse thing you can do is lose all spring pressure.

As you back the screw out, you very quickly get to a point of lighter vs no spring pressure. Changing to the lighter spring allows you to get lighter with less risk.

At some point, even with a lighter spring, the sear engagement will become quite unstable side to side. The parts just are not well made enough to not wobble. That wobble changes the sear contact patch and therefore makes the release variable….and less safe.

You are better off buying the Timney for a good trigger or the Jewell for a great trigger.

Sorry, this post was based on the original trigger.

The MOA is different. Not sure what is possible there. Timney does make an MOA replacement, but often MOA triggers can get a bit better than the old style. My XPR has a decent 3.5lb pull.

 

[243winxb]

Winchester MOA Trigger

https://www.winchesterguns.com/support/faq/moa-trigger-system.html looks like lots of adjustment.

 

[jmr40]

From what I've read around 3 lbs is as light as you can get that trigger. If you want to go lighter than that you may need to go aftermarket.


I have a 2008 Winchester with that trigger and I find it just fine out of the box.

For some reasons I do prefer the older style trigger. I think they are more rugged and foolproof. But the new trigger is much smoother and lighter out of the box and it is a lot harder to get the old trigger better.

 

[jackstrawIII]

The new springs arrived today. Haven’t had a chance to put them in yet, but I’ll let you guys know. Should be able to get it down around where I want. We’ll see.

 

[44 AMP]

You can easily and simply reduce the feel of the trigger pull weight by adding a trigger shoe. You'd be amazed the difference it can make, for some people, and, its pretty cheap, too!

 

[jackstrawIII]

I installed the MCarbo springs and the trigger has settled at a consistent 2.5 lbs. The original factor trigger (at full reduction) varies between 3 and 3.5.

So, for $15, a consistent 2.5 lbs is pretty good.

 

[tangolima]

I installed the MCarbo springs and the trigger has settled at a consistent 2.5 lbs. The original factor trigger (at full reduction) varies between 3 and 3.5.

So, for $15, a consistent 2.5 lbs is pretty good.

Make sure the trigger fully resets when you abort a trigger pull, 100% of the time.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Unclenick]

Since I have never had one in my hands, I asked a trigger expert about the MOA and he said:

"The trigger he's talking about is the same as a Timney but without the very thin sear engagement that the better material and heat-treat of the Timney allows. I wouldn't advise he reduce engagement on the MOA. If the corner breaks or slips, the gun fires."

At any rate, I would be extra careful that it is pointed in a safe direction whenever you close the bolt.

 

[Nathan]

At any rate, I would be extra careful that it is pointed in a safe direction whenever you close the bolt.

…or take it off safe. That is usually when M70 types fire unexpectedly. On safe, they have no weight on the sear. Taking off safe lowers the cocking piece onto the sear.

I have the XPR set pretty light 3.5 lb with minimal engagement and overtravel. That said, I usually add over travel from minimum until I feel them get worse. I just don’t like living on the edge for no reason.

 

[tangolima]

…or take it off safe. That is usually when M70 types fire unexpectedly. On safe, they have no weight on the sear. Taking off safe lowers the cocking piece onto the sear.

I have the XPR set pretty light 3.5 lb with minimal engagement and overtravel. That said, I usually add over travel from minimum until I feel them get worse. I just don’t like living on the edge for no reason.

So Remington 700 is not the only one that would fire unexpected coming off safe?

Increase over travel doesn't increase the engagement. With too little over travel the gun may not fire when the trigger is pulled.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk