Trigger for Remington 700

[Flynt]

I bought a Remington 700 (.338 Win Mag) a couple of years ago, and I hate the factory trigger. Apparently later models come with a better trigger. Anyway, what kind of after market trigger would you guys recommend? Something that has the safety. I'd be willing to spend up to $250 - $275. Thanks.

 

[Horsemany]

I can tell you what everyone else will. Jewell is the best. They are all stainless with an adjustment range from 3.5 lbs. to 2 oz. Most other triggers are a much smaller adjustment range 3.5lbs. to 1.5lbs being the most common.

That said, I actually like things about Timney triggers more. I know I'll catch a rash of *&% for that but it's true. The blade on a Jewell is EXTREMELY narrow and sharp as a knife blade. By comparison the Timney has a very wide shoe and makes the pull weight feel lighter than it is. The sharp Jewell trigger would be less of an issue on guns with less recoil IMO.

Shilen and Rifle Basix both make excellent triggers as well. Rifle Basix are the only ones I'm aware of that are aluminum housings instead of steel. I've read steel is favorable because the pins won't wear loose as quickly as aluminum. That is probably BS but I read it on the errornet and I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

If I was getting one for a hunting/casual bench gun I'd get a Timney or Shilen adjsutable down to 1.5 lbs with a safety. I'm sure others will disagree and say go for the Jewell but I own both and that's my story. A gunsmith can usually stone and adjust a factory Remington trigger to 1.5lbs and they are very nice. I have a factory trigger that is hard to tell isn't an aftermarket trigger. I'd try that first unless you are competing with the gun. I've shot groups under .5" with tuned factory triggers, and they weren't fluke groups either. I probably have a spare x mark pro trigger laying around adjusted down to 2 lbs.

I just reread your post again and have to say. I have a Jewell on a 7mmRem mag. Shooting from a bench the razor sharp trigger shoe on a Jewell can be uncomfortable when the big magnums like a 338 jump around.

 

[Tarvis]

I adjusted mine to around 1.25 lbs. It has a tiny bit of creep, but I've shot it enough it almost feels like a 2 stage if I'm going slow. I've also heard that the x-pro or whatever it's called is not very good, probably because it can't be adjusted as much.

I have zero experience with after market triggers, but I hear the Jewell is awesome.

 

[dakotasin]

Get your factory trigger properly tuned. Makes a world of difference and cost is negligible. Time is minimal if you do it yourself.

I have a Rifle Basix trigger and the only thing I like about it is the aluminum housing. It is no better than a factory trigger, and is not worth the money.

Jewell is good. May not be appropriate for your uses.

Not a Timney fan. No experience with Shilen triggers.

 

[EShell]

I'd agree that the factory trigger can be adjusted to give a very good pull by the user. http://www.quarterbore.com/library/articles/rem700trigger.html

Then, a good gunsmith can polish internal parts and make it amazingly smooth & crisp, almost as nice as a custom trigger.

That said, I've installed a couple Jewell triggers and they are great triggers. The out of the box crispness and precision of a Jewell will exceed even a well tuned factory trigger. The Jewell can be had in several models/pull ranges, from several pounds for hunting to 1-1/2 ounces for BR shooting.

 

[ants]

My experience is limited to four aftermarket triggers/sear

I haven't installed a Jewell, but I shot one. Wow. It felt funny on the pad of my trigger finger, but I could 'break the glass rod' exactly when I wanted. It was set for 3.5 pounds, but with no creep and a nice sharp break it actually feels like 1 pound. I'll swear it's only one pound pull, but it measured 3 pounds 10 ounces on the digital scale.

I bought the Rifle Basix trigger for old-style Rem 700 on sale for $83. It is absolutely excellent for the money (or course it ain't no Jewell or Timney, but it's a very very good trigger at less than half the cost). It creeps a little, but most people may not notice like I do. For a deer rifle, I'm totally satisfied for $83 with no complaints. If on sale again, I'll buy another.

I also put a Rifle Basix sear in a Ruger M77 (old style tang safety) and it turned the Ruger into a different rifle. Much easier to shoot, much improved accuracy, for only $30!

I have a Jard on an AR-15. It takes a lot of work to adjust it. It fired doubles when it was brand new but I adjusted it several times until I became happy. It's my USPSA 3-gun rifle.

Bottom Line: If you spend more, you have to do less work for an excellent trigger. If you are willing to do more work, you can spend less and get a trigger much better than factory stock. I've never paid to have a factory trigger gunsmithed to perfection. I'd like to hear from someone with actual first-person personal experience. I bet you can make a Jewell-like trigger out of it.

Oh, one more thing (in my humble opinion). Once you get your finely tuned first-class trigger, you'll have to learn to use it. You'll have to get rid of your sloppy lazy-finger habits. Keep the finger off the trigger shoe until on target, deliberately engage the trigger quietly and smoothly, follow through with a smooth full draw rearward, then fully release. I'd like to hear from other owners.