Technique For Shooting A 2oz Trigger.

[Nick Caprinolo]

Recently purchased a 6mm PPC benchrest rifle with a Jewel trigger and it is currently set at 2oz. My question, is there a special technique used to control a super light trigger. This is my first foray into shooting a dedicated benchrest rifle and I really would like to do it right the first time.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

First rule: don't close the bolt until it is pointed where you want it to hit. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Second rule: Don't put your finger in the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.

As you can imagine, it is incredibly easy to set a 2 oz trigger off. My recommended technique consists of gently moving your finger toward the trigger when you are ready to fire, did I say gently? At first, you will likely feel your finger touch the trigger just as the rifle fires. With experience, you will be able to touch the trigger without setting it off. From there, you will have to develop a technique of your own. There is no "right" way, only ways that work and ways that don't.

 

[swd]

I don't know if bench rest guys do it any different but for F Class I squeeze it just like any trigger except it's a lot lighter. After you get used to it the only difference between it and a heavier trigger is you can make go off when you want it to. Just because it's light it's no excuse for poor trigger control.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I have spent a good deal of time dry firing it out backset up as I would at the benchrest. That thing is hairy. What I am trying to do is make it go bang when I want it to. I have spent a lot of time shooting at a bench but never with a rifle of this quality.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

While youre learning, rest your finger on the bottom of the trigger guard and slide it back to touch. You can also make it heavier by the screw in the trigger shoe- turn it in for more weight. It wont hurt to give it more

 

[BoydAllen]

2oz. is an option not a requirement. Are you making contact with the rifle while shooting it? Similarly, shooting free recoil is not a requirement. If your shooting style does not require 2oz. adjust it up. You will gradually get used to a light trigger. Worrying about a trigger that is too light for you is a distraction that you don't need.

 

[Borisserge]

As a dry firing technique for bench rest, try using your thumb on the back of the trigger guard and your trigger finger on the trigger. (Think of it as a coming together of your fore finger and thumb). There's more control and feel, and less involvement in being in contact with the rifle as it fires. It should just recoil away from your thumb.

 

[mr45man]

Have you actually measured the pull?
You should be able to touch it without
firing a round.

 

[Mikemci]

As a dry firing technique for bench rest, try using your thumb on the back of the trigger guard and your trigger finger on the trigger. (Think of it as a coming together of your fore finger and thumb). There's more control and feel, and less involvement in being in contact with the rifle as it fires. It should just recoil away from your thumb.

If you choose free recoil, putting your thumb behind the trigger guard is not letting the rifle recoil freely.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Well here is my answer to everyone all at once. OI really want to keep it at two ounces if possible been practicing with it ever chance I get and I guess you could say that I am doing a sort of free recoil by using my thumb and forefinger. I have found that with that 45x scope, If I shoulder the rifle, I see every movement of my body. By using just the thumb and finger, the rifle stays stable and I see no movement until the firing strikes. The more I practice the more comfortable I get. I don't expect to master it on the first outing. I am hoping for small improvements from week to week Time will tell. Boyd, I haven't forgot you. you are right I can always increase the weight and after firing a few strings I will know better what to do. I do like the idea that it goes bang quickly. I have a Remington with a Timney 8oz trigger and trying to hold that on target and breath properly while so many thoughts are going through your mind is a struggle. Seems like it is never going to go off. This results in the rifle being discharged while pointing in a very minuet point of aim difference. Should have bought the Jewel which is adjustable to 1.5oz but I have never owned a two stage trigger. Tuesday is the big day and I will get back to all of you when I get home from the range.

 

[gpoldblue]

Well here is my answer to everyone all at once. OI really want to keep it at two ounces if possible been practicing with it ever chance I get and I guess you could say that I am doing a sort of free recoil by using my thumb and forefinger. I have found that with that 45x scope, If I shoulder the rifle, I see every movement of my body. By using just the thumb and finger, the rifle stays stable and I see no movement until the firing strikes. The more I practice the more comfortable I get. I don't expect to master it on the first outing. I am hoping for small improvements from week to week Time will tell. Boyd, I haven't forgot you. you are right I can always increase the weight and after firing a few strings I will know better what to do. I do like the idea that it goes bang quickly. I have a Remington with a Timney 8oz trigger and trying to hold that on target and breath properly while so many thoughts are going through your mind is a struggle. Seems like it is never going to go off. This results in the rifle being discharged while pointing in a very minuet point of aim difference. Should have bought the Jewel which is adjustable to 1.5oz but I have never owned a two stage trigger. Tuesday is the big day and I will get back to all of you when I get home from the range.

I'd like to suggest dry firing using a dummy round,no powder or bullet,or empty case with a spent primer to use to cushion the striker in the bolt.
Then,it's practice,practice.
Good luck. Dan

 

[mr45man]

Any shooters on here that shoot can shoot in the teen's use there thumb ?

 

[Mikemci]

Any shooters on here that shoot can shoot in the teen's use there thumb ?

Good question.

 

[LarryDScott]

Well here is my answer to everyone all at once. OI really want to keep it at two ounces if possible been practicing with it ever chance I get and I guess you could say that I am doing a sort of free recoil by using my thumb and forefinger. I have found that with that 45x scope, If I shoulder the rifle, I see every movement of my body. By using just the thumb and finger, the rifle stays stable and I see no movement until the firing strikes. The more I practice the more comfortable I get. I don't expect to master it on the first outing. I am hoping for small improvements from week to week Time will tell. Boyd, I haven't forgot you. you are right I can always increase the weight and after firing a few strings I will know better what to do. I do like the idea that it goes bang quickly. I have a Remington with a Timney 8oz trigger and trying to hold that on target and breath properly while so many thoughts are going through your mind is a struggle. Seems like it is never going to go off. This results in the rifle being discharged while pointing in a very minuet point of aim difference. Should have bought the Jewel which is adjustable to 1.5oz but I have never owned a two stage trigger. Tuesday is the big day and I will get back to all of you when I get home from the range.

Nick all Jewells are adjustable down to 1.5 oz. You spoke
of a 2 stage, Jewell. If you have found one of those, its a rare item. I have been selling Jewells for roughly 15yrs and they were a discontinued item before I started. LDS

 

[Puzzaz01]

Nick... I use one of Larry's Jewell 1.5 oz triggers and only shoot Completely free recoil. Free recoil is precisely as stated, the only thing touching the rifle is your trigger finger and with a very low oz trigger free recoil is the way to go if you and your gun shoots good that way. I have a few rifles that do not shoot good with free recoil but luckly my favorite mid and long range rifle shoots excellent this way. In other words I love my 1.5 oz Jewel trigger.

Darrin

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Any shooters on here that shoot can shoot in the teen's use there thumb ?

No

 

[mr45man]

No

That's what I thought.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

I have shot 1.5/2.0 oz triggers for years.
Muzzle loaders, double set triggers. Florida state champ 1985.
Coors single shot Schuetsen (sic) falling block 5 lever set trigger.
Currently shooting 3 rifles with Jewell triggers.
Ishot convential grip for years. Now have a crappy hand and shoot pinch.


Laid off shooting from Feb to July. Came back with a 0.185 and a 0.153 first two targets.


Shoot what is comfortable for you.

If you are using convential and get nerves, put the trigger finger inside the guard and slide it along the guard until it makes contact with the trigger

Good Luck most important ....Have fun WINNING.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Larry you are right. it was the Timney that was two stage. I have been doing so much research on triggers these last two months I get confused. I bought the Remington 700 212-250 and was very disappointed with it as it came from the factory. The stock was a pos and the trigger could only get down to 3 lbs. The chamber is so long loading 45 gr bullets leaves a mile away from the lands. Smallest group I could get was 5/16. And there weren't many like that. Most were around 3/4. I put a Magpul stock and Timney trigger and there is not a great deal of improvement. Called Remington and they told me it will shoot great by setting it at SAMI specs. They intentionally cut the chamber that way. Their trigger is almost impossible to take a part. Has as stainless steel wire wrapped around the pin holding the trigger. Shot about 225 rounds through it and put in the back of the safe. That's when I decided to look for a real bench rest rifle. Heck last year I bought a Ruger PRP 6.5 Creedmoor and using factory ammo it the first group I shot was 3/8 of an inch. Only got better from there. I have about 2,000 rounds through it and it is starting to open up a bit. Needs a new barrel I guess. Me and boys, the only difference is the price of their toyes. I am going to try the one finger method on Tuesday. I will repor back.

I have shot 1.5/2.0 oz triggers for years.
Muzzle loaders, double set triggers. Florida state champ 1985.
Coors single shot Schuetsen (sic) falling block 5 lever set trigger.
Currently shooting 3 rifles with Jewell triggers.
Ishot convential grip for years. Now have a crappy hand and shoot pinch.


Laid off shooting from Feb to July. Came back with a 0.185 and a 0.153 first two targets.


Shoot what is comfortable for you.

If you are using convential and get nerves, put the trigger finger inside the guard and slide it along the guard until it makes contact with the trigger

Good Luck most important ....Have fun WINNING.

Winning is everything.

The crowd of old geezers I shoot with are pretty good but none of them have a rifle that could be a match for this one. I am use to small groups, with the factory guns I have been shooting, so beating these guys should be a piece of cake. At least I sure hope so. I doubt I will ever shoot in competitive sanction matches, but competing against these guys is a weekly event and if this rifle can't beat them, I will hang my head in shame.

I am sure that the trigger will be fine once I get use to it. Good trigger control comes from repetition. Mind and muscle acting in unison. Do something often enough and baring physical problems, you get better.

 

[4xforfun]

As a dry firing technique for bench rest, try using your thumb on the back of the trigger guard and your trigger finger on the trigger. (Think of it as a coming together of your fore finger and thumb). There's more control and feel, and less involvement in being in contact with the rifle as it fires. It should just recoil away from your thumb.

Your thumb is BEHIND the trigger guard and the rifle recoils backward.....how can the gun recoil AWAY from your thumb?