• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Winchester Model 70 trigger springs

I just got a couple of trigger springs for both the old Model 70 trigger, and the new Model 70 MOA trigger. Both of these totally changed my mind on those triggers. First off, I really want a light, clean, safe trigger. The old Model 70 was all of that, but never quite light enough to make me really happy. I replaced the stock spring with the new one, a Hunter weight, and I think the trigger is now one of the best, and is amazingly good enough for both bench shooting and hunting. It's a little light for some hunters, maybe, but I want a light trigger, and I want it to be consistent from one rifle to the next. I put two of these on different hunting rifles, and they feel identical. If a shooter wanted a slightly heavier trigger pull, the old style Model 70 trigger is easy enough to adjust to a heavier setting.
Now to the MOA trigger: it's a fine design, but too heavy, even at its lightest trigger weight. But with the replacement spring, it's a really predictable trigger, and is just fine for hunting. I haven't shot it from the bench yet, and it may be adequate there, too, since it is very consistent. I did two of those as well, and they both feel exactly the same to me. The old triggers are now almost perfect IMO, and the MOA triggers are entirely acceptable. I got the springs from Ernie Paull, erniethegunsmith.com. Don't buy an aftermarket trigger until you try the springs, at $7 apiece.
 
I just got a couple of trigger springs for both the old Model 70 trigger, and the new Model 70 MOA trigger. Both of these totally changed my mind on those triggers. First off, I really want a light, clean, safe trigger. The old Model 70 was all of that, but never quite light enough to make me really happy. I replaced the stock spring with the new one, a Hunter weight, and I think the trigger is now one of the best, and is amazingly good enough for both bench shooting and hunting. It's a little light for some hunters, maybe, but I want a light trigger, and I want it to be consistent from one rifle to the next. I put two of these on different hunting rifles, and they feel identical. If a shooter wanted a slightly heavier trigger pull, the old style Model 70 trigger is easy enough to adjust to a heavier setting. ... The old triggers are now almost perfect IMO, and the MOA triggers are entirely acceptable. I got the springs from Ernie Paull, erniethegunsmith.com. Don't buy an aftermarket trigger until you try the springs, at $7 apiece.
The Hunter spring you bought is described as roughly 2.5 to 3.5 lbs. I was able to back off my original pre-64 trigger to 3.5 lbs (with sear polishing as well has adjustment) but that's still too stiff for me. I like 2.5 lbs, the minimum touted for the Hunter.

What weight did you achieve with your Hunter, and with how much pre-load on the spring?
-
 
Sorry, but I didn't measure the pull weight. I don't have a gauge. With the polishing you've done, and already getting 3.5 lbs., you'll probably be around 2 lbs. Of course, you can increase that some if you think it's too light. Also, Ernie Paull also sells a lighter pull-weight Benchrest trigger spring, but it is not as consistent in his testing as the Hunter spring. Get both, and see which one suits you.
 
Thanks. He also lists a "Varmint" (1.75 - 2.5) between the Hunter and Target (1.25 - 2.0).

I have a nice Wagner gauge ("hand-held dynamometer") I got from an engineering firm I worked for when they shut down. It can be used in "push" or "pull" mode. Seems accurate and consistent.

PS Oops, he doesn't offer Varmint for M-70, only Hunter and Target. So that makes it easy, I'll get the Hunter.
-
 
Last edited:

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,747
Messages
2,201,897
Members
79,085
Latest member
CFG
Back
Top