In search of sub 14 oz trigger for a Savage 12 BVSS

[WeeHooker]

I'm giving up on the ELF trigger I purchased last year for my BVSS. It just never performed to satisfaction . It feels somewhat mushy and remains as crunchy as a bag of cornflakes ( even after a trip back to the factory). Can anyone recommend a trigger and /or process that can get me below 1# (and preferably closer to 1/2 that?) I see Rifle Basix advertises 14 oz but I'm not sure if that's accurate or if it could be improved upon. This is a bench rest range gun and I'm somewhat used to 10 oz on most of my similarly purposed rifles. Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[Dave Hoback]

Yeeeup. Saw this coming. I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out for you. Well, I’m still an Accutrigger fan. But if you wish a standard trigger, perhaps try a Timney. That is likely the non-Accutrigger I would use based in fact, on Fuj’s testament of it. He stated it was the easiest trigger he’s ever installed. Which I took to mean adjusting as well.

[WeeHooker]

Yeeeup. Saw this coming. I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out for you. Well, I’m still an Accutrigger fan. But if you wish a standard trigger, perhaps try a Timney. That is likely the non-Accutrigger I would use based in fact, on Fuj’s testament of it. He stated it was the easiest trigger he’s ever installed. Which I took to mean adjusting as well.

Thanks for the reply. I was just looking at the Timney online. I have several on my Rem700 actioned ( Bergara and Vudoo) rifles The one Timney states is to replace the acutrigger lists 1.5# as the bottom end though. DO you know that it can be adjusted/ modified to go lower? new spring maybe?
p..s Leaving town tomorrow for a few days so I won't be able to respond. I will check back when I return.

[Dave Hoback]

I’m sure it could be worked to go lower. I can get the stock Accutrigger down around 1.5lbs, so I’m sure the Timney can be massaged as well. Haven’t had my hands on one though.

[Fuj']

Timney's are on my hunting rifles. The rifles I shoot in competition, all have the red blade Accutriggers
back in them. All are set for 12 ounces, and all rifles are 17lbs or more. My Timneys are set for 2.5 lbs
because I use then to hunt with. I do have a Timney in a CZ-457 rimfire that can be set down to 10 ounces,
But that does you no good.....The trigger from a Savage PTA is what I would look for.

[PhilC]

I really, really like my red blade target Accutriggers, 8 - 9oz is nice.

[Dave Hoback]

Yes, I would prefer the Target Accutrigger & Sear over any other trigger. Unfortunately, must purchase a Model 12 Rifle or Action or have an FFL to get hands on one. However, that may soon change. Stay tuned. However, this doesn’t do the OP any good at present.

Unfortunately, the Savage 110’s trigger design wasn’t meant for ultra low trigger weight. Because the Sear & bolt release are 1-piece, it’s much more highly influenced than others. The design has prevented the masters like Jewell and TriggerTech from creating one for the platform. The closest coming from Jard. (And we are all aware of what a failure that was.) A-shame. I really had high hopes for its potential. Unfortunately, this also puts the 110 more in danger of Sear fall after closing the bolt; leading to potential accidental discharge. The direct connection between the parts instead of using levers with perpendicular surface contacts is to blame. Just as other platforms triggers have done. I’ll be honest, I would not want to use a standard trigger below about 1.5-2lbs. With the Accutrigger it’s fine. Although the Sear can still follow the bolt on closing, accidental discharge is not possible because of the safety blade. While bolt/firing pin follow is also possible with other brands of rifles as well, the 110 trigger is just more prone. TriggerTech has been “working” on a design for over 2 years now. I have not heard any new info on it.

[pdog06]

To go that low you pretty much need a Rifle Basix SAV2 or a Savage target trigger(with the target sear also).

The Timneys and SAV1’s you can get close to 14oz but probably not less.
I have a couple SAV1’s and run them at 18oz with no issues.
I also have a SAV2 and run it at 12oz with no issues. It will go all the way down to about 4oz, although setting it can get finicky when that light and could cause sear trips which can cause accidental firing.
My target accutrigger is set at 10oz and has no issues, and no chance of accidental fire with the blade in there.

[Dave Hoback]

Shooters who set the trigger that low are few & far between. Funny thing. None of the top shooters I’ve ever read about go that low. Same with any of the records are done with with these single ounce triggers. Seems like it’s mostly InterWeb shooters who like triggers that ridiculously light. I’m sure there are some. But none I’ve ever seen. You even think about the trigger following the bolt and it’ll trip, LOL!

[Rocketvapor]

When shopping and buying parts to build the wife's Savage I got a SAV-2 (on sale somewhere).
But, I think I will stick with working on the Accutrigger, primarily because of the safety blade.
Maybe I'll Caswell Gold plate it :)

[Robinhood]

[Alguapo]

We, shooting buddy and myself, have put in 4 Rifle Basix. Pretty easy to set all the way down to 7 Oz. If there is an issue with the install the company is really good about taking phone calls and working through the issue. If it continues to be a issue they send you a new one set at what you want. Happy shootin.

[NF1E]

Shooters who set the trigger that low are few & far between. Funny thing. None of the top shooters I’ve ever read about go that low. Same with any of the records are done with with these single ounce triggers. Seems like it’s mostly InterWeb shooters who like triggers that ridiculously light. I’m sure there are some. But none I’ve ever seen. You even think about the trigger following the bolt and it’ll trip, LOL!

4 - 6 oz is pretty conservative these days. A bunch of the 40x guys I shoot with have their triggers down under 2 0z. To me, that's a bit light but we all have choices for our particular discipline. My custom 10-22s use KIDD 3.5/3.5 oz 2 stage triggers and they do a fabulous job. For sure none of these are hunting firearms. Whatta Hobby!

[Robinhood]

4 - 6 oz is pretty conservative these days. A bunch of the 40x guys I shoot with have their triggers down under 2 0z. To me, that's a bit light but we all have choices for our particular discipline. My custom 10-22s use KIDD 3.5/3.5 oz 2 stage triggers and they do a fabulous job. For sure none of these are hunting firearms. Whatta Hobby!

Specially when people are using free recoil, it gets real easy to upset point of aim.

[NF1E]

Specially when people are using free recoil, it gets real easy to upset point of aim.

Yep, bag sliders are often used in this discipline. 70 years of shooting and I learn something new every day. Whatta Hobby!

[GrenGuy]

I'm giving up on the ELF trigger I purchased last year for my BVSS. It just never performed to satisfaction . It feels somewhat mushy and remains as crunchy as a bag of cornflakes ( even after a trip back to the factory). Can anyone recommend a trigger and /or process that can get me below 1# (and preferably closer to 1/2 that?) I see Rifle Basix advertises 14 oz but I'm not sure if that's accurate or if it could be improved upon. This is a bench rest range gun and I'm somewhat used to 10 oz on most of my similarly purposed rifles. Thanks in advance for any guidance.

You want the Rifle Basics Savage II. You may get it to 4 ozs. if You work at it enough. With the Rifle Basics Savage I, You will be lucky to get it below 22 ozs.

[Rocketvapor]

I haven't installed the lighter springs in the Trigger or Blade yet.
The trigger force total has gone DOWN with about 200 rounds (plus a lot of dry fires).

Blade is about 8 oz.
I'll check this after the next range trip but it is UNDER a pound total.

Trigger doesn't seem to be able to be tripped working the bolt or bumping the stock/action.

[Dave Hoback]

My Accutrigger safety blade spring is maybe half that or less.

[Rocketvapor]

I'll get around to the blade spring mod but for now I'll watch and see what happens this week.
Range trip Wed or Thurs after the rain passes here.
Once I drop the blade force, this thing will be WAY less than a pound total.

Gonna have to get a better trigger gauge.
This one reads OK above 2 pounds but reads a little light down around a pound.
This is 500grams plus 1 gram for the rubber band, 17.7 oz

[Dave Hoback]

To be honest Rocket, I don’t even have one of those Trigger pull weight scales. Never have. I think they are misleading. Not in the measurement, but rather, I mean misleading to the shooter. I started doing trigger jobs on firearms over 2-decades ago. I quickly learned that people tend to chase a low number when it comes to triggers. This need of a featherweight trigger of a certain Number, is the overwhelming attitude. Especially to newer shooters/owners. Through all the firearms I’ve owned, I’ve actually never purchased an aftermarket trigger. (Except in the cases of 1911’s I’ve built. But I’ve explained that before.) I have, however, modified the factory trigger of almost every firearm I’ve owned. I’ve learned there is so much more to a trigger besides the weight a little scale says. The elements of a trigger pull for our rifles being Take-Up, Creep, Break & Overtravel. In the case of Semi-Automatics, there is also Reset. Now, a gritty-Creep ridden trigger with spongy Break & loads of Overtravel could still show only One Pound on that little scale. But it will feel terrible to the shooter. Yet, most of time all people care about us what that little scale says. Once they achieve whatever number they came up with, all is well. Meanwhile, however, another trigger may register 2lbs, yet Break cleanly, just falling away from the finger almost. With a smooth crisp feeling & then stop, like it hits a wall; having zero Overtravel. Thats what I concentrate on. Of course I use lighter springs, matched correctly. This is why I started experimenting with & finally found a good replacement for the Safety Blade spring. I’ve seen too many people on the forum install the Target spring in their factory standard Accutrigger and then start having way too frequent the times of the Safety Blade tripping. They then wonder why. It’s because the the springs used are not matched. If a lighter Trigger spring is used, a lighter Safety Blade spring must also be used. Just as the factory Red Blade, Target Accutrigger uses a lighter blade spring.