FN Commercial Mauser 98 Sako trigger adjustment

[cash_tx]

Earlier today I picked up a late 1950's Marlin 455; which is a post-war sporter based on a commercial FN Mauser 98 style action, Marlin micro-groove barrel, Sako trigger, and Bishop stock. These were made from 1955-1959, and this one is in 30-06. The gun is in pretty good shape overall, but I'd like to get the trigger pull down from the current 4 pounds (using my RCBS trigger gauge) to about 3 pounds. Can anyone tell me which of these set screws is the trigger pull weight adjustment screw? I am thinking that it is the lowest one in the picture, and that the one above it is the overtravel adjustment; but not entirely sure. I experimented with adjusting the lower screw earlier this afternoon. I took careful note of where the screw was initially set, then turned it outward (counter-clockwise) a half-turn; which resulted in the trigger pull going up to 5 pounds. So, I turned it back inward a half-turn to its original position; and then another half-turn in the hopes it would lighten the pull. This resulted in the trigger not releasing from the sear at all, so I returned the screw to its original position (and the trigger pull weight returned to 4 pounds). So, I'm at a loss as to what to think; as I would have assumed that this trigger would be adjustable to a lower weight than 4 pounds. Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed any light on this particular Sako trigger model. NOTE - I have already confirmed that this is not the same No. 4 trigger that was used in the L579 series guns, so the adjustment screws are noticeably different.

 

[dneaster3]

Typically, overtravel is the upper screw and pull weight is the lower screw, but your mileage may vary. There have been many, many versions of these aftermarket triggers over the years, so you’ll need to just experiment with it and figure it out.

Snap caps or spent casing with an old primer are recommended.

 

[cash_tx]

Typically, overtravel is the upper screw and pull weight is the lower screw, but your mileage may vary. There have been many, many versions of these aftermarket triggers over the years, so you’ll need to just experiment with it and figure it out.

Snap caps or spent casing with an old primer are recommended.

Thanks, and yes, that's what I was thinking as well. Adjusting the lower screw did seem to have an effect on the pull weight; just not in the way I was expecting. I will experiment with it a little more.

 

[cash_tx]

Quick update - I experimented with the trigger a little more this evening; specifically focusing on that lower set screw which I confirmed to be the one that alters the pull weight. I was able to get the trigger pull down to right at 3 pounds with reliable function and safety (including the bump test) by turning it inward (clockwise) just shy of 1/8 of a turn. I'm still surprised that the direction of adjustment is the opposite of what I expected and have experienced with all other triggers, but I'm good with how it works now and will be moving on to my next phase with this gun (replacing the scope).