Best replacement trigger for Rem. 700 under $125

[WhiteKnight]

What is the best replacement trigger for a Remington 700 hunting rifle (I'm looking at a desired pull weight of about 3 pounds) that is under $125? I know that Jewell trigger is the best you can buy, but I can justify spending >$200 right now on a trigger.

Would a $70 "Shilen Standard Trigger" on sale from Midway right now be a good buy? Or would I be better served by a Rifle Basix or Timney?

Thanks!

 

[craigz]

If money is tight, why spend anything? The Remington trigger is completely adjustable. Instructions here.

 

[paul105]

WhiteKnight,

If you don't get any responses, my Shilen Standard will arrive in less than a week. I'll mess with it in the next month or so (weather permitting), and will compare it with the Jewell (which I have installed on my M700, .300 Win Mag). You should have some time before deer season opens to make your decision. Current Midway sale only saves you about $5.

Check out the ratings on Midway re: Timney & Rifle Basic -- they usually have some decent input from purchasers.

I don't know how many times I have bought the cheaper product and subsequently purchased the one that was "too expensive".

Final thought $125 + $75 = $200. $75 = a decent meal for three at a moderately priced restaurant. Jewell Trigger is for life.

 

[paul105]

WhiteKnight,

I'm not doggin you, but the "adjust it yourself" Remington trigger is not a viable alternative in my opinion. If you do it youself (been there done that), it won't be safe, and if you have a gunsmith do it (been there done that), it won't be what you want (and you'll still pay for it).

 

[TechBrute]

Come up with a few more bucks and get a Jewell.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Reminder...this is for a HUNTING gun.

 

[paul105]

And what better reason to make the best shot possible with the safest possible alternative available?

 

[WhiteKnight]

Dern it! Why do you guys reccomend such expensive toys!? :banghead:

 

[WhiteKnight]

I spent the money for the trigger on some rimfire stuff from Midway, so I guess I'm going to hold on on purchasing the trigger for a little while. Paul - I'm eagerly awaiting your update.

 

[Wildalaska]

Take your gun to a gunsmith and have him adjust your trigger and be done with it.

WildandthatsthatAlaska

 

[TechBrute]

Jewell has 2 different weight ranges available. The heavier of the two is my preferred for most rifles. You can still adjust it down under a pound, IIRC.

 

[Gewehr98]

WhiteKnight, don't feel bad.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a gorgeous early Model 700 Custom Deluxe, with one of the most horrible triggers I've ever tried. I've worked with my other 700's, including a 700 PSS, and they've all adjusted nicely. Not this one, something's wrong inside the trigger group, crunchy and springy before it finally breaks. I *could* send the gun back to Remington for some work, but they're gonna send it back to me with a lawyer-proof heavy late-model trigger, perhaps with some extra safety bits. So I'm looking for a clean-breaking, 2-4 pound trigger, that uses the standard Model 700 safety. I've had good luck with the Timneys, Dayton-Traisters, and Canjars I've installed on my Mausers, so chances are they'll work well in the Remington versions. I'll be darned if I'm gonna put a Jewell in my woodswalking deer rifle, unless they make one that isn't just a no-safety benchrest model. Jewell doesn't maintain a really visible web presence, so I'll have to check my Brownell's catalog, maybe they came out with a hunter version since last I looked.

 

[paul105]

"I spent the money for the trigger on some rimfire stuff from Midway, so I guess I'm going to hold on on purchasing the trigger for a little while. Paul - I'm eagerly awaiting your update."

Enjoy the rimfire stuff -- it's my favorite.

I'll give you a comparison Shilen vs. Jewell -- it may take a month or so but I'll update you.

 

[TechBrute]

I'll be darned if I'm gonna put a Jewell in my woodswalking deer rifle, unless they make one that isn't just a no-safety benchrest model.

Jewell offers 2 different weight ranges of triggers with the safety.

 

[paul105]

G98,

Check the Jewell options -- they definitely make the hunting model - 1.5 oz to 4.5 lbs with/without safety, bolt release. http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BSS&Category_Code=44JW

 

[paul105]

damn Tech, we're pretty much in sync here -- do you do the stock market?

 

[Gewehr98]

All I can say is...

Cool! Sorry about the $200 missing from the tax return, Momma, but Daddy's going after whitetail with a Jewell-triggered 700 BDL Custom Deluxe this fall! Thanks, Paul!

 

[paul105]

These are the best prices I have found for Jewell triggers. Bruno Shooters Supply http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BSS&Category_Code=44JW.

If anyone has a vender with better prices, please advise.

 

[Sactown]

I've had good luck with the Timney triggers. No complaints here.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Suggest you adjust the trigger first. Remington was noted for good adjustable triggers but won't give instructions anymore because of liability. Check out the instructions craigz provides.

 

[JohnBT]

FWIW, the Jewell benchrest trigger for the Finnfire is the exact same trigger as the HVR trigger - except the HVR comes with a set of light/medium/heavy springs to let you adjust it from 1.5 ounces to 4.5 pounds. So sayeth Mr. Jewell. I got curious about this after I bought one of each. I'd guess the BR and HVR triggers for the Rems are also the same on the inside.

An ounce-and-a-half...I'm forever spoiled.

John

 

[TechBrute]

Remington was noted for good adjustable triggers but won't give instructions anymore because of liability.

Hmmmph... If I was injured after adjusting my trigger, I'd sue them for not giving me the proper instructions. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. This doesn't protect them, it just irritates people looking for instructions. Duh.

 

[Gewehr98]

Update - happy 700 with sweet trigger!

Midway USA currently has a sale on their Shilen Remington 700 triggers, $59.95, so I bit the hook and bought one. I'm used to Timneys and Canjars in my other rifles, so I was really curious how this Shilen would look and perform.

I had no reason to worry. The fit and finish of the Shilen unit is impressive, it makes a Timney look cheap and sloppy in comparison. My 700 BDL Custom now has a crisp, clean 2-pound trigger with a minimum of take-up and overtravel. The original safety works just like it did, locking the bolt in safe mode.

I can't wait to take the gun out and group it again, now that it has a decent trigger. It grouped pretty well with the heavy, crunchy factory trigger. It can only get better...

 

[WhiteKnight]

Have you been able to perform any formal/informal accuracy testing yet?

 

[shoobe01]

Wait, does everyone here really buy and use their guns based on who they can sue if they shoot their toe off? Who are you going to sue if the Jewell is adjusted too light? I think rem will say you voided their warranty.

I followed the instructions (as posted by craigz) for my PSS, and could hardly be happier. A tad of stoning, or another 500 trigger presses, will make it perfect. The instructions are very good, and include the check steps to make sure it doesn't slam fire and so on.


On a related note, just last weekend a friend was a the range with his [custom trigger] in his AR. Durn if it won't dent Barnul primers quite enough with some regularity. What sorta perdicyment is that if he didn't function check his house rifle? Pre-adjusted drop-in: too risky for me.