SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 04 SEP >

[Alexander-M]

I bought a Sharp Shooter Supply competition trigger for my Savage 12 F-T/R, and before I started cutting or grinding away, I would like to ask - just to make sure.

Since tomorrow is Labor Day, I suspect that the SSS office will be closed until Tuesday; otherwise I would wait and give them a call, but I don’t want to wait that long.

This is what I have:

And what I believe I have to do:
NOTE - This Picture Is Incorrect - See the similar pictures I posted later, below.

And I have three questions:

1. Is this the correct location where the bracket needs to be notched, and is it to provide clearance for this pin? (Third Image, above)

2. I need to notch only the bracket side where the screw is, correct?

3. Just in case something goes wrong with the new SSS trigger – once the bracket is notched, could the original stock trigger be re-installed?

Any other hints and words of wisdom regarding this installation will be much appreciated

Thank you for your help!

Nando

 

[weewilly]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

I have used several of these triggers and the answers to your questions, yes-yes-yes. Follow the instructions, and you will have a good trigger pull. older trigger brackets were notched, weewilly

 

[Tokimini]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

Check the forums on Savageshooters.com for the best info available on Savages. A lot of guys there use SSS triggers. Let me know how you like it. I want to get either an SSS or a Rifle Basix Sav-2 for my Savage 6BR.

 

[gotcha]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

I agree with weewilly with this additional advice: The positioning of the trigger in the 3rd pic is incorrect. There are two little "feet" or "protrusions" at the rear of the new trigger. These feet MUST rest atop the rear loop of the trigger bracket in order for the trigger to actually cock. You may also need to "adjust" the trigger bracket to eliminate side play of the new trigger in the old trigger bracket. Otherwise sear engagement will be erratic and/or your rifle will fire upon switching from "safe" to "fire". Measure the area of the trigger bracket to be removed carefully & cut accordingly........ This is very important so drop me a PM if not perfectly clear Dale

 

[Alexander-M]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

Weewilly, thanks!

Tokimini, I'll post the results.

Dale,

If I understood correctly, these two pictures should be correct.

Is the location correct as shown now? That is, keeping in mind that the trigger will be lower once the notch is cut.

When you said, "Measure the area of the trigger bracket to be removed carefully & cut accordingly." you meant for cutting the notch for the pin, correct? I was planning on using a rotary tool grinding point, and to notch the bracket just enough for the new trigger to be lowered and the screw to go in through the bracket and corresponding trigger holes.

I may send you a PM you later . . .

Thanks for your help!

Nando

 

[gotcha]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

Yep, that's the way the "feet" should make contact ..... Your notching method should work just fine..... Measure twice, cut once.

 

[Alexander-M]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R

I 'notched' the trigger bracket using a rotary tool and grinding point. This is how it looks now:

Installation of the SSS Competition Trigger was rather straightforward after I notched the bracket, and I had no issue installing the barrel and action back into the stock.

Adjustments:
NOTE: Needless to say, but just in case - I did all the trials to determine if the trigger adjustment would allow a slam fire with the rifle unloaded, including no unloaded brass cases.

I initially adjusted the trigger to a pull of 14-oz, as measured with an RCBS "Premium Trigger Pull Scale", and was able to close the bolt rather briskly without causing a slam-fire. The trigger pull is primarily adjusted with the sear engagement screw, by the way.

However, once the action & barrel were back in the stock, I was able to close the bolt harder (*) and cause a slam-fire. I could lock the bolt rather briskly without causing the slam-fire, but if I really closed it hard, then it would fire.

I have received a lot of valuable help from Dale (gotcha), but have not been able to resolve the issue. I have tried to contact Sharp Shooter Supply several times this morning without success. If I cannot resolve the issue today and test the rifle, I will re-install the AccuTrigger so I can shoot at a match on Thursday.

One question I have is: What constitutes a safely set trigger pull that will not allow a slam fire? When the trigger pull of a benchrest precision rifle is adjusted to just a few ounces, can the bolt be closed hard (*) without causing it to fire?

(*) What I mean by closing the bolt hard I do not mean pushing the bolt forward hard; but instead, once the bolt is in position, rotate its knob down hard against the stop.

I'll post again with more results.

Nando

 

[gotcha]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

PM sent, ........ Alex, what you're experiencing is the effect of the combination bolt release/ sear engagement function of the Savage as opposed to other rifles that incorporate a separate bolt release. More joints and camming points add to instability. Variations in Mfg. tolerances for the extra parts also contribute. That being said, I've PM'd a rather lengthy list of possibilities for improving function. All learned the hard way : Lets stay in touch. I think I can get you to the point of getting the most from your new trigger

 

[Nomad47]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

Hmmm, I installed a Jard trigger in my Savage PTA about a week ago. With no polishing, the trigger breaks at 8 ounces and I cannot make it slam fire.
I do have one complaint though - I had to take out a fair amount of wood to make it fit.

 

[jonbearman]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

Dale is there any way you would post your findings with that trigger in response to fixing problems?

 

[Alexander-M]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

I am pleased to report that after a few more adjustments per Dale's (gotcha) advise, I was able to adjust the pull to 12-13 oz without slam fire risk. I turned the bolt many times as a test, as fast and hard as could possibly be expected, and had no issues.

I went to the range this afternoon, fired 20 rounds, and everything worked fine. All I need to do now is get some trigger time to get the most out of this trigger, which is as crisp and responsive as I was expecting.

Here is the rifle now with the new SSS trigger:

Nando

 

[gotcha]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

Nice looking stick Alex ! Glad you were able to get the SSS trimmed in....... What, in your opinion, was the most important factor in attaining good reliability and consistency ??

 

[Alexander-M]

Re: SSS Trigger installation on Savage 12 F-T/R < UPDATE-1, 02 SEP >

Dale,

Most important factor? Easy - communicating with you!

After notching the bracket and installing the SSS Trigger I noticed that the Trigger hardly had any play at all (sideways) within the bracket sides; it was a good fit.

As far as the individual adjustments went, here is what I did.

(I did not take a good photo of the adjustments, and don't feel like taking the stock off now that everything seems to be working fine, so please try to envision the adjustment screws that are within the bracket sides in the picture below.)

A. Sear engagement - This is by far the most critical and has the greatest effect on trigger pull. Turning the screw just a few degrees makes a noticeable difference. Since the hex key is rather small, it tends to bend or deflect making the adjustments somewhat difficult. Also, each time any of the other adjustments is changed, this one has to be 're-tuned'. (You had told me this.)

B. Trigger spring pull - This adjustment is supposed to control the trigger pull weight, but as the instructions say, it has very limited range. I backed it out just until it had no effect on the trigger pull, and tweaked 'A' for the final pull adjustment.

C. Overtravel stop - I did not adjust this one correctly the first time, and it restricted the trigger travel such that I could not release the bolt to remove it. This was a bit frustrating at first, but once you know this, it is not an issue.

D. Safety bar - I thought this was the easiest to do; well, at least the way I did it. With the safety on (safety bar back), I turned in this screw until the safety bar could not move. Then, I backed out the screw a bit at a time until the safety was just able to move back and forth freely, albeit I can feel a bit of a 'notch' when engaging the safety; i.e., sliding it fully backwards.

I really like the trigger. I shot a match today and scored basically the same as I had been even though the wind was a bit shifty - I am still learning this aspect of the sport. Having said that, not having to deal with the AccuTrigger safety blade was very nice indeed.

The only thing I don't like about the trigger, as you may have guessed from my previous statement, is that it doesn't know how to compensate for the wind either!

Thank you for you help!

Nando

PS. These were the range test results from yesterday after I had the trigger adjusted to ~13 oz.

The MOA's were 0.540, 0.470, and 0.450 - Not earth-shaking but OK for the first time out.

 

[gotcha]

Nando, I'm sure your background in Engineering & O-gauge trains had more to do with it than I did. Either way its the results that count. Itty bitty groups to ya,' Dale

 

[1holeaddict]

I KNOW THIS THREAD IS VERY OLD BUT I AM IN NEED OF AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THIS TRIGGER.
I PURCHASED A RIFLE WITH IT INSTALLED. IT IS GOING OFF WHEN THE BOLT IS CLOSED AND ALSO WHEN THE SAFETY IS TAKEN OFF. MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT THE LIFE SCARED OUT OF HER WHEN SHE TOOK THE SAFETY OFF AND THE GUN WENT BOOM..