[Detritus]

Have a '09 vintage 700 SPS-Varmint in 308, and the factory X-mark trigger is giving me fits mainly due to inconsistent pull weight.

So i'm looking for input on which aftermarket trigger to put in. currently timeny and Jewell are topping my list based on past face to face word of mouth, but none of those making the recomendations way back when put the units in themselves.

what I'm looking for

crisp trigger pull (obviously) preferably adjustable 1.5-3lb seems like a reasonable weight
grooved trigger face, i grew up with grooved remington triggers so that's what feels right
drop-in or near drop in installation. I need to be able to do it myself not have to take it to a smith
and no higher than the $220 or so i'm seeing for the Jewell. and even then I'd want some details of why go that high


anyway have to run off to work will read, respond, expand, and/or clarify if need be when i get back in late this evening.

thank you for your time and any info you care to share

[WNTFW]

I don't think I would have preference of one over the other when it comes to the actual shooting.

Jewell has the advantage of 3 adjustments being accessible as the rifle sits ready to shoot. Maintenance is pretty much a non issue. I had mine apart and the parts had the look of perfection. Trigger is pretty much square & sharp edged, no groooves.

[LoonWulf]

Ive honestly never replaced my remington triggers, and i LIKE the X-mark pro...well after removing the 2nd spring i like it. Ive also used a Jewel triggered gun, i thought it was pretty nice. Tho it wasnt mine and i didnt play with adjustments.

[davebl]

I've had excellent results with Timney products in Rem 700s and ARs.

Exactly what you listed, they produce. Drop in install, crisp pull, 180-220 depending on Midways sells

[Geno]

I purchased Timney 1.5 pound triggers for my M700 Tactical, M700 Varmint and M700 Police. I also purchase a 4 ounce trigger to switch out when I want to test best-accuracy. Good triggers for about $120.00, JMHO.

Geno

[Detritus]

Ive honestly never replaced my remington triggers, and i LIKE the X-mark pro...

So did i until the last three range trips i've made. It adjusted down to a very livable pull weight, I was making great progress in rebuilding/relearning the basics of shooting this type of rifle after I'd been 5 years without an accurate centerfire, and 10+ without doing more than piddling around with one.
And then over those last few range trips (aprox 150rds total, 30 5-shot groups) I started having "issues" with the trigger, out of 10 consecutive shots 6-7 would be "normal" meaning trigger broke as expected, one maybe two shots would break with what seemed like WAY too light a pull, and the remaining two would be heavy enough that i'd many times stop and check the safety!! and just to cover a possible question, the "anomolous" breaks are/were spread randomly throughout with no seeming pattern or relation to any other factor that i could see

Now i know a human finger isn't exactly a calibrated insturment, but going shot to shot, and one's scary light and the next feels like sqeezing a fence post something's outta whack here. add my own experiences to the comments i've seen and heard over the last 3 years (It's an '08/'09 vintage gun) of others finding their X-mark units to also suffer from inconsistent pull weight.

I was SO happy with this rifle and now i can't get a 5 shot group without throwing out a flyer that doubles or triples the groupsize, and they ARE coming from the unexpectedly light/heavy breaks.:banghead:
So I'm thinking it's time to put a better bang-switch in:)

[JDGray]

Very happy with the Rifle Basixs trigger on my LTR. Less than 2lbs:)

[LoonWulf]

Detritus, have you cleaned the trigger on your gun? one of mine got gummy, inconsistent and nasty when the factory locktite started to gum up the 2nd spring causing it to bind some times.

[Fremmer]

I hear good things about the timney and might get one. I will probably have a smith install it, though.

[Detritus]

Detritus, have you cleaned the trigger on your gun? one of mine got gummy, inconsistent and nasty when the factory locktite started to gum up the 2nd spring causing it to bind some times.

actually No, but if it works it might buy me at least a few more range trips before an after market becomes an absolute.

anyone got a link to a set of instructions (preferably illistrated) for how to go about cleaning/doing basic maintainence on teh x-mark/x-mark pro triggers?
My trigger is NOT externally adjustable so i assume it's the regular X-Mark version

[hardluk1]

Give Rifle basix trigger a good look over. they build a very good trigger system than can be adjusted down to a benchrest quality or just a solid lite hunting trigger. You may also fond buying direct is cheapest too. I do have a timney on a older ruger abd 2 RB's. Timney has as of lately come out with new designs that don't allway live up to what they have done in the past. RB just makes some good triggers.

[MtnCreek]

anyone got a link to a set of instructions (preferably illistrated) for how to go about cleaning/doing basic maintainence on teh x-mark/x-mark pro triggers?
I think my rifle came with seperate instructions for the trigger; I'll check tonight.

I lube it well with CLP and blow off the excess w/ compressed air.

Be careful with solvents! They could disolve the 'finger polish' that holds set screws in place!

[LoonWulf]

Ive pulled all the adjustment screws and springs from my triggers and cleaned out the factory locktite as much as possible. Need to reset everything, and re-loctite it afterwards tho.
Powderblast, or any spray cleaner works pretty good. I also lube with CLP.

[pdd614]

I know it's out of your price range, but I love my huber concepts two stage trigger. No adjustments to worry about, just install it and go. I requested mine to be set at two pounds, and wouldn't want it any lighter. I won't be going back to a single stage trigger again. It is light years better than both my factory tuned pre-xmark trigger and timney.

http://www.huberconcepts.com/

[lightman]

I have several Jewell triggers.They are easy to install,and the instructions for adjustment are easy to follow.Only one of them required removing any material from the stock.As someone else said,the trigger is not grooved.I will be buying some more of them,as I am very pleased with them.All of the others are good too,Jewell is just the first that I tried. Lightman

[Horsemany]

I have Jewell and Timney. The Jewell has a thin square trigger that I don't like. The Timney is outstanding with an even wider blade than factory trigger, but it is more curved and sits forward in the triggergaurd. If you really like the feel of the factory blade I'd have it professionally tuned. I have tuned factory triggers that feel just like my Timney.

For fine bench work the Jewell is as good as it gets.

[joed]

I've never used anything but Timney. I looked at Jewel but the price was $30 higher then Timney. Hard to justify when Timney works so well.

Any of you that think the Remington trigger reworked is great are cheating yourselves, it's like night and day.

[Teachu2]

Recently was in the same boat. I read every review I could find, and went with a Jewell from Bruno's. Fantastic quality, outstanding design, exceptional performance. Had to inlet the Remington stock a bit, but it dropped right in to the Choate Ultimate Varmint stock.

It is a smooth trigger, and I also prefer grooved - but if I had it to do over again, I'd buy the Jewell. It comes set for 1 pound, and I left it alone for bench work. If I were to want to do a walking gun, I'd add a bit of weight. It's easy to do, and all the adjustments are done with it in the stock, so you can set it for whatever conditions you choose.

Best $217 shipped I've ever spent.

[lovethosesooners]

Very happy with the Timney trigger my gunsmith put in my 700 30-06 CDL-excellent

[Krogen]

I have Shilen triggers in two Remington 700 guns. They are great, IMHO.

[splithoof]

A Rifle Basix trigger has worked very well for me. I did have to use the stock safety lever, but it was very easy.

[benzy2]

Jewel is hard to argue against as anything but the best. Others are very good too but after doing my homework I picked Jewel and have been nothing but satisfied.

[LeonCarr]

Another vote for the Timney. Easily the best aftermarket trigger for the money. Jewel triggers are the cream of the crop, it is just hard for me to justify spending that much more money when the Timney works so well.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[Teachu2]

I have yet to read a post where someone has said "I own both a Jewell and a (less expensive trigger of your choice) and next time I'll save the ($40-100) because the Jewell isn't that much better."

When you consider how much we invest in a rifle, scope, rings, sometimes stock, and then a trigger, is it worth the extra $100 over the useful life of the weapon? Every time I fire mine, I know it was worth it to me.

[WVRJ]

I have a Rifle Basix on my VTR,it needs to be kept clean for the pull to stay in the 1 pound range.I've compared it to the Jewell,and the Jewell's a better trigger to me.Pull is more crisp and consistent,but there is a big difference in price.Next time,I'll spring for the Jewell even though I like the shape of the RB trigger better.

[Detritus]

Ok, finally have a chance to try and get my thoughts and questions together again.

Anyone besides Timney make a trigger with a wide, grooved face similar to the Pre X-Mark remington type?

Anyone besides Huber offer a decent 2-stage for the 700??
I'm kind of attracted to the idea of a 2-stage since I'm more used to triggers that have at least some form of take up prior to a firm(er) second stage, that lets me refine my sight picture before adding the final amount of trigger squeeze.

If anyone has tried both the Huber (please state which ie weight and 1 or 2-stage) and other single or 2-stage triggers. what do you feel are the pros and cons of each?
the $220 limit was actually to keep me from lusting after the Huber, well that genie's out of the bottle so might as well entertain the idea. to go to the Huber would take some "talking me into it" and also some real guidance as to which weight to choose. I'm pretty sure I'd go with a 3 or 4 pound, for me clean, crisp, and consisent break is more desirable than super-low pull weight.

well right now that's all that's coming to mind at the moment. again thank you for your time and information. :)

[JDGray]

Yeah, already been mentioned. But not a two stage.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b278/JDG357/004-3.jpg

[Detritus]

Yeah, already been mentioned. But not a two stage.

I'm not dead set on ANY aspect of this yet, just exploring my options. the thoughts on a 2-stage unit were/are only due to the fact that i'm most accustom to and slightly more comfortable (due to familiarity only) with, rifles with triggers that are either true 2-stage units or have some other form (by design or not) of noticable take up.

the timney and Rifle Basix units are still leading the pack at the moment. and nothing keeps me from changing my mind a year or two down the road and getting a Jewell or Huber for the sheer "i gotta try it" factor.

I just want to get as much input, advice, and personal experince of others so that I can make as well informed of a decision as I can. :)

[benzy2]

I've used Rifle Basix triggers on other rifles. They do not compare to the more expensive triggers. If I had to spend on a budget they are better than factory but I don't know of many people that have used a Timney or Jewel and been impressed with the RB.

If I buy another Remington based rifle it will have a Jewel on it. Other triggers work well but this is as good as a single stage trigger gets.

[JDGray]

Thats my problem, I've never shot any other aftermarket trigger;) The RB compares to the Accutrigger, and the factory Tikka trigger. No creep, then a snap that suprises you every time.

[1858]

I have a CG X-Treme Mod 22 two-stage trigger in one of my 700s. I chose the "tactical" version and it's an excellent trigger.

http://www.x-tremeshooting.com/index.php?page=cgxtrememod22

I sold two of my stainless steel Jewell triggers and have one more for sale. They're good triggers but I prefer two-stage triggers in all of my rifles these days.

[Detritus]

Thats my problem, I've never shot any other aftermarket trigger;) The RB compares to the Accutrigger, and the factory Tikka trigger. No creep, then a snap that suprises you every time.

And my issue, and part of the reason I posted this, is that (barring a volquartsen sear/hammer set in a 10/22) I have exactly Zero experience with any aftermarket trigger on any rifle I've personally owned. On top of that all of the aftermarket triggers i've tried on rifles belonging to others were, to me at least, excessively light.
I assume there are people that want the trigger to break as soon as they even think about squeezing it. I'm not one of them! I want to be able to have my finger ON the trigger as i make my final adjustments to my sight picture and NOT have to worry about an un expected boom.

anyway the more i think about it the more likely it becomes that I'll buy the timney, see how that works out and then at a later date wind up giving in to my deisre to try something different and get a Huber or similar. now to do some searching and find out who actually has the timney units in stock and for how much.

[LTR shooter]

1.5-3lb seems like a reasonable weight
grooved trigger face

and no higher than the $220 or so i'm seeing for the Jewell. and even then I'd want some details of why go that high


The only reason I see spending the big dollars on a Jewell is for those that want a true benchrest trigger pull. Meaning , a super crisp , reliable pull in the low oz range. That is exactly what I wanted when I bought my first one 15 years ago.

There are plenty of less expensive options that will give you the 1.5 - 3lb pull.

[Teachu2]

Detritus, it sounds like you've defined what you want and have a pretty good handle on how to achieve it.

Different strokes for different folks. You're the only one who has to be happy with your trigger!

[Detritus]

just a information update..

the trigger pull gauge I ordered from Midway arrived this afternoon, so i finally have actual "data" verses my very subjective "feel" of the trigger.

out of 20 pulls, on 15 it broke at 3.5#, 2 were 4#, and 3 broke at 2#. So far, to me at least, this small sampling seems to support my veiw that I'm getting a noticeable pull-weight deviation about once every four to five shots.

Yes i intend to make a larger sampling over the next day or so. we'll see how all that goes

[Detritus]

The latest "goody box" off the brown truck contained a new Timney unit today. Looks like my next few days off are going to be spent getting my newly re-arranged workspace squared away so i can safely (confidently) do the switch.

Would have played with it today, but my itenerary was already full, replaced the barrel on my wife's AR, cleaned, examined, and did minor repairs on two near 50yr old .22 pistols, took all three "doctored on" guns to the range, and then took a final at the college.