Aftermarket triggers, like those made by Timney, can cut groups sizes by half. The author recommends hunting rifles be set around two pounds versus the standard six-pound factory setting.

JARD, Inc., is only one of several well-known and reputable manufacturers of user-installable aftermarket triggers for production-grade hunting and target rifles. Among the other best-known names are Timney Triggers, Jewell Triggers and Rifle Basix. The range of models and types of aftermarket triggers available is very large--there’s something for nearly every popular make and model of rifle on the market, from AR15s to every well-known bolt-action gun. Single-stage triggers, two-stage triggers, even set triggers; the preference is yours.

I’ve used examples from all the trigger-makers named here, in a variety of styles. As a rule of thumb, I’ve found that a good aftermarket trigger in the two-pound range will cut your average groups in half compared to a creepy standard trigger of six-pounds-plus.

So, if it’s so obviously practical to manufacture trigger mechanisms that are clean and precise as the aftermarket guys are making, why have so many hunting rifles been produced for so long with such cruddy triggers to begin with? Simple answer: Blame ourselves (I’d like to blame the lawyers, but actually, they’re just feeding on the situation). Once it became fashionable in this country for anyone committing a stupid act to sue the manufacturer of the product they used stupidly, from lawnmowers to McDonald’s coffee, manufacturers of all products had no recourse but to protect themselves by offering items ever-more-difficult to misuse--to the point some hunters and shooters have wondered if gunmakers really wanted us to ever fire the guns we bought from them. Face it. Many traditional trigger mechanisms, set too light, are risky.

Fortunately, this situation is changing. Beginning about five years ago, several of our leading sporting rifle manufacturers began to listen to hunters’ discontent about the overall quality of trigger pulls. Quickly, these companies embarked upon serious R&D programs to develop newly-designed trigger mechanisms that are user-adjustable, as clean and light as custom triggers and also idiot-proof. The first major introduction to appear from this movement was the revolutionary Savage AccuTrigger, followed by Ruger’s recent introduction of its non-adjustable new LC6 trigger mechanism, which comes in at a clean, crisp five pounds and is already making many gunsmiths weep for their loss of business in doing trigger jobs on Ruger M77 rifles. More are coming, including a soon-to-be-introduced brand new bolt-action rifle from one of our oldest riflemakers that will feature another totally new trigger design featuring a trigger-mounted safety interlock.

Bottom line: A better trigger will make you a better shooter, and better shooters are always more successful hunters. Today there is no reason to put up with a cruddy trigger pull, whether you choose to put a custom trigger in your old-faithful rifle, or buy new-generation guns.

Factory Accuracy: Savage Arms’ AccuTrigger has forever changed hunters’ expectations for commercial store-bought rifle triggers. It’s absolutely crisp and creep-free. It’s easily user-adjustable, and it’s safe. It won’t fire, even at its lightest setting, even with the manual safety disengaged, no matter how hard it’s bumped or slammed, even if you throw it from the top of a twenty-foot forklift to a concrete floor--which is exactly what Savage Arms did to prove to it worked before authorizing production.

The AccuTrigger is designed with an integrated AccuRelease that must be completely depressed or the rifle cannot fire. While pulling the trigger, the AccuRelease is intentionally depressed, which unblocks the sear and allows the rifle to discharge. Adjustment of the AccuTrigger is easy. Simply remove the stock and rotate the adjustment spring with the included tool. The AccuTrigger has a single adjustment location and is designed so it cannot be adjusted below a minimum setting. In centerfire hunting models, muzzleloaders, the Model 40 Varmint Hunter and most rimfire models, the AccuTrigger is adjustable from approximately 21⁄2 to six pounds. In the 12 Series Varmint, new Target and Law Enforcement Series, the AccuTrigger is adjustable from approximately 11⁄2 to six pounds. It’s an amazing piece of equipment.