[Rob62]

Since I've been shooting my relatively new 700 P I've decided that the factory trigger has to go. As a replacement I'm looking at either a Timney or Shilen. I'm not planning on getting their ultra low pull weight versions. IIRC the versions I'm looking at are in the 1.5-3lb range.

Any thoughts? Comments on either of these triggers?

For those who may suggest just keeping the factory trigger and having a competent gunsmith tune it, I would, but there is no local gunsmith capable of more than turning the adjustment screws which I've already done and not been happy with.

Thanks,

Rob

[Art Eatman]

I put a Timney on my 77 Mk II Rugilator. It's good, but not as good as a Canjar. The Timney is maybe a wee smidgin better for "crisp" than a couple of Remington triggers (700 ADL and 700 Ti) I've played with. I wouldn't call it really seriously better than the Remington.

With the Canjar, there is the tension you've set; and then the shot's gone. Like breaking a glass stick. No creep whatsoever. (I guess they're still as good as my 30+ years old critter.)

I've not had occasion to use the Shilen or the Jewell...

:), Art

[dakotasin]

i think shilen's about as good as it gets, though rifle basix makes a good one for the money. and you have to be a pretty discriminating shooter to tell the difference... and $50 or so at a gunsmith somewhere would make it very hard to tell the difference between the factory job and a rifle basix - again, only a discriminating shooter...

i've heard very good things about jewell, but never tripped one...

[Matt_B]

If the Jewell trigger in my AR-15 is like the Jewell trigger for the Rem 700 (which it probably is), then it's a great trigger.

That being said, I won't really know till I get one after this (outdoor) shooting season is over. Gotta love winter.

[El Rojo]

I wonder how great the aftermarket triggers are. All of my 700's have what I feel are great stock triggers after I have adjusted them. Is there something wrong with me?

[Nero Steptoe]

"I wonder how great the aftermarket triggers are. All of my 700's have what I feel are great stock triggers after I have adjusted them. Is there something wrong with me?"

There's nothing wrong with you; you just apparently aren't terribly experienced in judging triggers. ;)

Timney's the best. Easy-to-install, adjustable down to really low or up to a reasonable varmint-hunting weight.

I have a couple of Timney's installed on 700's. The only differences in the Timney and the factory triggers are that the Timney adjustment screws have locknuts, and I've been able to adjust the pull weight lower (around 1# or so) than the factory trigger, safely.

[Monkeyleg]

I put a Timney trigger in my 700 and adjusted it down to 1.75 pounds. Installation was very easy, and it breaks nice and crisp.

A shooter at our range a couple of weeks ago had a half-pound Jewell trigger. Just touching it was enough to trip it. I didn't ask how much the guy paid for it, though.

[bmwguy]

If you have the $$, the Jewell is the way to go. I think the Jewell triggers costs around 2 Ben Franklins.

I myself went with Shilen, I was able to install it myself w/o any problems. I've been very happy it. I've got my set around 2 1/2 lb trigger. I paid around 70.00.

As for the rest(Timney, Basix), they're good, but with my research, you should consider Jewell or Shilen.

[Rob62]

Thanks for all the input. With so many positive comments on Timney and Shilen I'm torn which one to get. Either way tomorrow I'll be calling Brownells and ordering one of these two.

I'll post what I ordered.

Thanks,

Rob

[B27]

Rob-
Has your factory trigger even been looked at by a gunsmith? The trigger on my 700VS in .308 broke very clean but was quite heavy. I handed it to the house gunsmith at American Classic Arms and ten minutes later he handed it back to me breaking sharp as glass st 3.5 pounds.
I asked him how much and he said "No charge. I wasn't real busy anyway.":)

[Rob62]

B27,

I consider myself pretty well versed on how to turn screws :D

Somewhere in the pile of all my "I love me" certificates I even have a gunsmith diplome. Earned through correspondence school, (don't laugh) and then a short stint at a small shop. But the military and other pursuits stopped me from pursuing my passion for firearms as a full fledged gettin' paid gunsmith. I still crank on friends' guns, not getting paid however. And I am still the founding member and president of the "Hammer And Chisel Club" (HACC), a lesser known affiliate of the American Gunsmithing Guild. But judging by what I've been reading on this forum and elsewhere we HACCs are growing in number every day.

I did adjust my 700P trigger as I have done on many previous hunting rifles. I just can't get it where I want it and am certainly not qualified to tear the whole thing down and start stoning and polishing. IMO The most practical thing to do is get a replacement trigger. I've just looked at my Brownells catalog and am almost positive that I will order the Shilen standard trigger tomorrow.

So far my 700P is an incredible shooter. With a 3-9X Leupold Vari X III I'm getting 5- shot, .7-.8" groups @ 100 yds. I believe with a higher magnification scope, which I'm looking for, plus the new trigger, groups will shring down to the half inch range. Which is where I want to ultimately be with this gun.

Take Care,

Rob