40X Trigger Problem

[9x23w]

I recently acquired a Remington 700P with the 40X trigger. Trigger wouldn't go below just under 4#, so I bought an installed a reduced power trigger spring. (Had to disassemble the trigger to get the ball that holds the old spring in, hopefully I didn't damage anything). So now the new spring is in, the stake holding the ball is gone (so it's not interfering with the spring), and the screw holding the ball is adjusted out as far as it will go without the ball releasing.

But the trigger is still just over 3#. When I squeeze the trigger with the bolt out it takes very little pressure to move it. So it looks like the spring is doing almost nothing, it's the friction between the sear and the transfer bar that is requiring the 3# to pull the trigger. Both are pretty clean (I did stone the sear a little, didn't do anything).

There are many references to being able to get this trigger down to 1-1/2 - 2#, so I'm concerned there's something else that might be interfering. I'm about to buy a Timney 510 but just don't want to spend $100+ dollars and find out I can't get a light pull with that one because of some other problem.

Any comments greatly appreciated!

 

[Keith Kilby]

if you're going Timney, the Calvin Elite is far better than the standard. Adjusts down to 8 oz. Should be able to find one at or just under $200

 

[mike06]

I had the same issue with two Rem 700 Milspec 5r Gen 2. One of them I got it just below 2lbs by backing out just one screw. The other could get it below 3.5 lbs and had to install a timney. Those factory triggers are a real PIA.

 

[Dans40X]

9x23w,
Your issue is with the OEM Rem trigger pull weight spring engaging the threads in the housing.

Completely disassemble the 40X Repeater trigger group.
Clean it minus the sterilization.
Purchase a D.Holland 700 Rem/Walker pull weight spring/Bolt stop torsion spring kit.
Cut the pull weight spring to 3/4 of it's original length & grind the end square.
Re-assemble the trigger group by installing the pull weight spring from the inside of the housing after inserting the ball bearing.
After re-assembly douse the trigger group in naptha/coleman fuel or lighter fluid.
Adjust sear engagement/overtravel/pull weigh to be safe.

If the above instructions are above your mechanical aptitude.....seek a professional !!

 

[rkittine]

My Custom Shop 40X came through with a 40X trigger, that they had set somehow to just over 1.5 pounds, though I have since gone to a Timney Calvin Elite on it.

Bob

 

[9x23w]

Well, it's going to be a Timney or something else for sure (probably single stage Calvin Elite).

So I backed off the trigger spring adjustment screw, removed the ball and trigger spring (I had previously removed the stake holding the ball) - guess what - trigger still breaks at 3.5 lbs with no trigger spring!

If anyone has any explanation of what's going on I'd really like to know. I would hate to spend $100 - $200 for a trigger and then find that doesn't work either because of some issue with the rifle.

 

[swd]

Have you set the sear engagement properly on it? The spring is only part of the equation. But some Rem triggers just suck too..

If the barreled action is out of the stock, no there is nothing else that will cause the trigger to be heavy. It's a trigger issue.

If your going to change triggers buy a Jewell that will go anywhere from 1.5oz to 3lbs. And they feel alot better than the Calvin Elite. I've set up a few Calvin's and have never been impressed. It looks like they're both about the same price now a days.

 

[9x23w]

Yes, action is out of the stock when I tested it. I have set the sear engagement so there is literally no creep. If I loosen it I get creep but the weight doesn't change. I will look at the Jewell. Thanks!

 

[chuckshooter]

when you say, you had to disassemble the trigger to get the ball out? do you mean you removed some of the pins that hold the internal parts? when you put it back together, are the the parts free and not binding from the pins being driven in. where did you get the replacement spring? I have six of these trigger currently on some of my varmint rigs and they are in my opinion just "Ok" . Bix n Andy, Jewell, way better.
my replacement trigger springs are very, very light springs.

proper adjustment sequence. bolt open, "unloaded of course" adjust spring tension out until you can see that the spring does not have any pressure on the trigger, now adjust in until you can be sure it will engage the sear, cock the bolt, screw in the engagement screw until it releases. back off 1/8 to 1/4. trial and error here. re cock bolt, screw in the over travel until trigger will not release. while pulling the trigger adjust over travel out until it releases, add 1/8 to 1/4 turn.
if after all this, it is still too much weight, you didn't get a light enough spring. start over and find a lighter spring.

always be careful to make sure it's the spring weight that is causing the sear engagement and not gravity. cock the rifle in several positions, upside down, holding up, holding down ect.

by the time a get done adjusting one of these, I always say, "why didn't I just buy a replacement".
good luck

 

[9x23w]

Yes, I did ending up knocking out the pin that holds the trigger. Took a lot of pounding. Seemed to go back OK. Nothing binds. With the bolt out everything moves freely. Something in the trigger or rifle geometry that is throwing this whole thing off.

I did get a Timney Calvin Elite. Works perfectly, 10-12oz pull. I agree with you, I just should have bought one in the first place.