Savage trigger
- Thread starter rjtfroggy
- Start date
Frankly I like my modified Accutrigger. I have several on my match guns. Mine are set very light such that I can feel the safety blade when I pull it back and I can detect when my finger touches the actual trigger; however, I can't feel that I apply any additional force to the trigger nor am I able to detect any trigger movement before the gun fires. All I feel is the light spring on the safety blade. I don't know how light the trigger pull is because it is well below the minimum reading on my trigger pull scale. I would imagine two ounces would be a pretty good guess.
It's easy enough to modify the Accutrigger to be very light but still safe. Any competent gunsmith should be able to figure it out. I won't publish the procedure for things like this for fear that someone will do it incorrectly and cause an unfortunate accident. But it's easy and not expensive.
The trigger won't accidentally fire if I slam the butt on the ground, but it will release if I hit the action in a certain way with a plastic mallet. However, it just releases. It doesn't actually fire because the safety blade still works as it should and catches the sear before it can release the firing pin. My friend has a target action with a light after market trigger and his gun will slam fire if you abuse it either by slamming the butt on the ground or hitting it with a mallet. But the difference is that his trigger WILL actually discharge the round accidentally. To me, that's dangerous.
Some people hate the feel of the Savage Accutrigger safety blade, but I like it because it gives me just enough feed back so that I know what my finger is doing. It lets me know I'm touching something. Yet the actual trigger release is so light that it is not perceptible above the force required to move the safety blade. The gun always goes off by surprise. But I control when that surprise happens because it only happens when I have my finger on the safety blade. I don't have to worry about firing when I close the bolt or if the gun slips off the rear bag or something like that. A potential accidental discharge is not something I want to deal with.
It's easy enough to modify the Accutrigger to be very light but still safe. Any competent gunsmith should be able to figure it out. I won't publish the procedure for things like this for fear that someone will do it incorrectly and cause an unfortunate accident. But it's easy and not expensive.
The trigger won't accidentally fire if I slam the butt on the ground, but it will release if I hit the action in a certain way with a plastic mallet. However, it just releases. It doesn't actually fire because the safety blade still works as it should and catches the sear before it can release the firing pin. My friend has a target action with a light after market trigger and his gun will slam fire if you abuse it either by slamming the butt on the ground or hitting it with a mallet. But the difference is that his trigger WILL actually discharge the round accidentally. To me, that's dangerous.
Some people hate the feel of the Savage Accutrigger safety blade, but I like it because it gives me just enough feed back so that I know what my finger is doing. It lets me know I'm touching something. Yet the actual trigger release is so light that it is not perceptible above the force required to move the safety blade. The gun always goes off by surprise. But I control when that surprise happens because it only happens when I have my finger on the safety blade. I don't have to worry about firing when I close the bolt or if the gun slips off the rear bag or something like that. A potential accidental discharge is not something I want to deal with.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
Mozzella I have a mod. 12 Single shot that I had Fred at SSS T & T and add the Evolution set at 2 oz. and he removes the safety which is not a problem because it is only used for short range BR.I also use a PTA for same discipline but the trigger will not go below 8 oz.(factory set) with out tripping the safety, hence the question because I would like all things to be equal when shooting at matches or while practicing.
As for gun smiths even though I live 55 minutes from Savage factory there are none around that will work on them. That is why I either have to send out of state or try to learn on my own.
As for gun smiths even though I live 55 minutes from Savage factory there are none around that will work on them. That is why I either have to send out of state or try to learn on my own.
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Froggy,
I have no idea who SSS is or which replacement trigger they made for Savages. But I have long thought that "Accutrigger" was the most notable weakness of Savage Rifles in the Benchrest Shootng discipline. I still have a couple Savage Rifles and really like they're accuracy. However those rifles have a SAV2 trigger in them simply because the factory triggers were very difficult to make them hold at a light setting, without the Sear Block activating. And I know some folks like the Accutrigger because they (or their Gunsmiths) have successfully altered/adjusted them so they're behave and hold their setting. I wasn't one of those pleased customers as my Gunsmiths (who also build competition rifles and are quite competent and compete themselves) simply refused to "mess" with the Accutrigger. But there is another reason behind the displeasure with "Accutrigger."
I wonder if folks have ever asked themselves, why is it that except for Team Savage, why is it that none of the more serious shooters or teams of shooters (who compete on a National Level at NRA Shoots) use a Savage Rifle in competition? Well after talking to a few of them and posing that question to them (why aren't Savages used in these types competitions).the response was always the same....the trigger mechanism is unreliable and cannot keep up with competition grade triggers such as a Jewell. Having said that, I have experienced excellent accuracy in both my Savages, especially my Model 12 6mmbr that I'm convinced, shoots better than I am capable of, regardless of my experience and training in Accuracy Shooting.
But good luck finding a trigger that can get you down to 2 oz. Most trigger manufacturers I've talked to don't want the grief associated with the Accutrigger/Savage set-up. Rifle Basix got me down to 4ozs with the SAV2 which is plenty light for me. But I do have a 2 oz Jewell on my 30BR which is all but ridiculously light. In the end, IMHO Accutrigger is a good mechanism for Hunting Rifles. But just isn't there or capable of meeting Benchrest requirements. Otherwise they (Savages) would be widely used in serious competitions. Too bad because Savage builds a very fine rifle otherwise and probably builds the finest (and most accurate) "across the counter rifle" sold on the market today and in the past 6 years that I know of and have compared (shooting wise).
Alex
Exactly my experience too.
SSS - Sharp Shooter Supply, Fred Moreo. He only works on Savage rifles. He designed two triggers for Savage rifles, the Competition trigger and the Evolution trigger. I have the Competition trigger and really like it. It adjusts from 2 lbs to 12 oz. He no longer has the Evolution trigger on his website. He required that you have his time and true work done before installing the Evolution trigger. It would adjust down to 2 oz.
Fred does very good work. SSS is a mom and pop business. They have gotten some bad reviews in the past (there is a thread on here about them), but from what I understand they have re-evaluated their business and are getting work out more timely. I have used them in the past and have always been pleased with the results. Fred is one of the most knowledgeable gunsmiths when it comes to Savage rifles.
Fred does very good work. SSS is a mom and pop business. They have gotten some bad reviews in the past (there is a thread on here about them), but from what I understand they have re-evaluated their business and are getting work out more timely. I have used them in the past and have always been pleased with the results. Fred is one of the most knowledgeable gunsmiths when it comes to Savage rifles.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
Dsculley thank you for explaining who SSS is, and I agree when it comes to Savage Fred's knowledge is unbeatable. On another note if you like the Competition trigger you might want to pick up another if needed because when what they have left is gone so is the trigger.
I have several red blade accura triggers
That work in the 4 To 6 oz range .
Most of the trigger problems is the bolt and the shooter .
The two evolution work at 2 to 3 oz
Both of the triggers with the evolution were done by sss .
The lock time was decrease to wher it was slower then a Remington
After I made some parts and did much bolt work the lock time is better then factory and the bolt is as smooth as most customs . Bolt and trigger Timing
Is the answer . Larry
That work in the 4 To 6 oz range .
Most of the trigger problems is the bolt and the shooter .
The two evolution work at 2 to 3 oz
Both of the triggers with the evolution were done by sss .
The lock time was decrease to wher it was slower then a Remington
After I made some parts and did much bolt work the lock time is better then factory and the bolt is as smooth as most customs . Bolt and trigger Timing
Is the answer . Larry
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
After emailing Lisa at SSS she said Fred figures the lowest he can get the target accu-trigger is about 6 oz. . So unless you Mozeela or Savagedasher know more than Fred Moreo does about Savages than he does I have to believe 6 oz. is as low as it will go safely.
As for doing it myself, I was a Fire Fighter/oil burner mechanic not a tool maker so I don't have the experience nor machines to attempt to do it myself, but am willing to hear of hun smiths that can or do it.
As for doing it myself, I was a Fire Fighter/oil burner mechanic not a tool maker so I don't have the experience nor machines to attempt to do it myself, but am willing to hear of hun smiths that can or do it.
I don’t say I know more I guess I could be lucky . 4 times in a row Larry
It may be that Fred Moreo just does not want to set the trigger below 6 oz on the Target Accu-Trigger because of the problems that often happen when you set it below 6oz and the liability that may ensue. Many shooters are aware of these problems and have learned how to work the trigger around them. I know several Savage shooters who shoot their Savage Accu-Triggers below 6 oz including me.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
I have an accu-trigger that breaks at 7.5 oz. right out of the box. but I also have a Evolution trigger that breaks at just about 3 oz. big difference. I was hoping to get something close because they are both set up for short range BR.
The PTA just went to SSS for T & T I'll have to see about trigger later.
The PTA just went to SSS for T & T I'll have to see about trigger later.
That makes no sense at all to me. The savage pta is plenty accurate enough to warrant a 2 oz trigger although it would not be my first choice for competing in BR due to the stiffer bolt lift
My Savage Accu triggers can be set to 4.5 oz.. It will operate fine like that, with a gentle bolt close. I will not feel comfortable with a setting less than that. I have other Sav PTA's that could not be set that light. I think when you can set them that light, everything has to be right with the trigger or it won't be able to go that light. That is with an unaltered Factory gun, I believe most factory PTA accu- triggers could be set at 6 oz, at least the ones that I have played with, considering your not a bolt slammer. I'd say Bench Rest is the only shooting discipline that the Savage trigger would have a tough time with. My Savage will shoot an F Class match as good as my 2 Bats and a Borden.
For the price of a PTA in the box I don't know how you can beat it. Maybe I just got lucky but bolt lift on mine has always been smooth and easy even with max loads. I've watched some guys almost have to beat their bolt open on their Savage actions for every shot during a match. I always think to myself I would have worked out some of those bugs before I got there where everyone is watching me.
I have a PTA that is not modified and it is as smooth and has as easy bolt lift as a PTA that was timed and tuned by Fred at SSS; some are better than others.
Having too beat the bolt handle to get it open is not the actions fault
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