Set Triggers

[Rare Breed]

After hunting from 8 years old to 66 I had never used a set trigger. My first is my Steyr 9.3x62. Unbelievable !!! While I love my Timney trigger on my 06, I have found after taking off the safety as I mount the rifle on sticks, the extra pushing the trigger forward helps me calm down and focus better on the fundamentals of breathing, trigger squeeze and stance. My tight groups reflect that. Just curious of members experience?

 

[BryceM]

My CZ550 in .416 Rigby has one. I don't like it and I don't use it. The regular trigger isn't that bad and the last thing I want is that beast going off before I'm ready.

 

[Longwalker]

Set triggers are sometimes good, sometimes not suitable in my opinion. I like and use them on varmint rifles and on larger rifles that I use from blinds or stands. I don't use them while stalking or shooting moving game.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

For the most part, I love them when you are truly set up wrll. They can be a bit of a hair-teigger and if not properly set up, can be not useful.

 

[Arac]

I love set triggers, although I've heard the ones on old Brno's ZZK's aren't the best. I find it very helpful for shooting offhand and, like Rare Breed said, clicking the trigger forward really focuses me - it's go time.

Sometimes the regular trigger is not that great - i.e. Brno 21H - and in those cases the set trigger is very helpful in all situations.

 

[K-man]

Most hunters/shooters have some degree of flinch. The best way to cure a flinch is a set trigger. It should surprise you when it goes off. I don't currently have any rifles with a set trigger, but almost all of my rifles have had some degree of trigger work done. (Except my R8) I have used outfitter rifles with set or French trigger and loved using them. Not sure I would want one on a DG rifle.

 

[roklok]

I would opine that the best way to cure a flinch is to learn to shoot a flintlock well. Back in my teenage years when I was learning to shoot a flintlock proficiently offhand, I discovered I shot WORSE when I used the set trigger. When I stopped using the set trigger it forced me to focus on keeping the sights on the target as I squeezed through the harder and longer unset trigger pull on my T/C Renegade. I have seen the same phenomenon with pistol or revolver shooters, sometimes a longer double action pull makes the shooter focus on the sights as trigger is pulled, instead of knowing the instant the pistol will fire with a light and crisp single action pull. Even when I moved on to shooting flintlocks competitively (offhand) I did not feel that the set trigger was advantageous to use (for me).

So I am not so sure I agree that a set trigger is better at surprising the shooter when it goes off, I feel in many cases it is the opposite. With a lightly adjusted set trigger the shooter knows that when the trigger is touched the gun will fire, and those apt to flinch may do so worse. The mental aspect of getting in the "zone" and setting the trigger may be helpful to some however. The light trigger pull can also be beneficial for obvious reasons for precision shooting.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I like set trigger. It's the way I shoot. I like 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 pound triggers are all of my firearms.

Would I recommend set trigger for everyone? No.
It takes a bit of mental discipline,....and a lot of practice.... to use a set trigger that is properly matched to the discharging trigger's lighter touch/squeeze/pull.

If a shooter likes a heavy, 3 pound plus, trigger then a set trigger is of little use. If a shooter likes a 2 to 2-1/2 pound or less trigger then a set trigger will be their best friend by reducing that 4 pound trigger pull to a lighter trigger pull.

For me the set trigger allows me to focus on placing the sights on the kill zone, leading, or patients to wait for the target animal to be clear of any possible non target animal, then it becomes a no brainer when my trigger finger brushes the trigger and the firearm goes BOOM. No hesitation or wondering when or over pulling the firearm off target due to excess trigger weight because I'm waiting for the BOOM.

 

[KJE81]

My kipplauf has set triggers, if I understand it correctly it is called french set triggers when there is two triggers like on the kipplauf. The rear one is the trigger that is used to activate the set trigger function in the front trigger. Regardless of what it is called the result is a very crisp trigger pull.

However it does look a little odd with two triggers on a one barrel break action rifle, the rear one is also a bit smaller then the other.

 

[mark-hunter]

I understand it correctly it is called french set triggers when there is two triggers like on the kipplauf.

If I am not mistaken, two triggers are called German set trigger. Pulling the rear one sets the light firing option.

On the contrary, French set trigger is single trigger, set to light pull by pushing it forward.

 

[KJE81]

If I am not mistaken, two triggers are called German set trigger. Pulling the rear one sets the light firing option.

On the contrary, French set trigger is single trigger, set to light pull by pushing it forward.

I see, then I have a french set trigger on my Bockbüchsflinte/cape gun and a german one on the kipplauf. I must say that the french one looks much better then the german then

 

[mark-hunter]

I must say that the french one looks much better then the german then

I grew up with German set trigger on my grandpas Mauser 8mm.
Then, it was the best system I could imagine in my inexperienced mind.

Now, having both types, another one on sako 85 (French set trigger), I must say, I prefer the French one.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

My Sodia combination rifles have harder trigger pulls than I would like but the set trigger is probably 2.5-2.8lbs. Swinging on pigs with what I would bet is a 4lb pkus trigger hasn't worked for me. On a solid rest, fine but on moving targets, the set trigger has been money.

 

[Red Leg]

Several of you have described what are to me very heavy set triggers. The standard hunting trigger on an R8 1.5-2.5lbs - heavier end of that range for rifles sold in the US. Virtually all of my rifles have been tuned to that weight of pull. A typical German or Austrian rifle will fire the set trigger with just a few ounces of pressure once set. Two of my combination guns have set triggers. They obviously employ the push forward design because of double triggers.

I have used them quite a bit, particularly back when I lived in Germany. I learned to not like them very much. Many rifles so equipped tend to have rather poor triggers when the set trigger isn't employed. From a high seat they were fine, but, in my view, an unnecessary complication when stalking. Today, I find them particularly unhelpful with the great primary triggers available on rifles such as the R8.

 

[grand veneur]

As a young, hunter beginner about 50 years ago, it was unthinkable in my country to acquire a hunting rifle without a set trigger. That's why I still own several rifles with this trigger system. The younger hunters in my country no longer want this trigger system. Understandably, because a finely adjusted single trigger is much more practical. However, I am experienced shooting with set triggers and have even hunted with a larger caliber rifle with set triggers in Africa.

 

[steve white]

The forward trigger pull on a Mannlicher Schoenauer is atrocious if you don't set the rear trigger. Probably 9 lbs. If you forget when a big deer jumps up and start trying to pull the front trigger, you will literally have to yank to get the shot to go off. Easier to set the back trigger first, but you have to remember in the heat of the moment. Setting up a long calm shot is easy.
I prefer the single trigger with French "Stecher" set by pushing forward on the trigger. I have several guns so set up. They are unbelievably light when set to the heaviest. The triggers are also very decent when used without setting the Stecher.
BTW, the best shotgun triggers I have ever seen were on the older Sauer Sidelocks. I agree with Norber Klupps on that.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve only used on rental rifles in Europe. I’ve found them way too light where it’s a bad surprise when the rifle goes off. It would take a lot of getting use to for me. I currently put all my triggers at 2 lbs. That’s light enough to shoot accurately but heavy enough the rifle doesn’t accidentally fire as my finger starts to touch the trigger.

 

[Flbt]

My cz 6.5 Grendel has one. I like it. Once set it’s light.

 

[Doug3006]

A properly adjusted single stage trigger is a joy to use. Simple too. I can’t see the advantage of a set trigger. If they work for you, then take them hunting!

 

[farmer_john]

Several of you have described what are to me very heavy set triggers. The standard hunting trigger on an R8 1.5-2.5lbs - heavier end of that range for rifles sold in the US. Virtually all of my rifles have been tuned to that weight of pull. A typical German or Austrian rifle will fire the set trigger with just a few ounces of pressure once set. Two of my combination guns have set triggers. They obviously employ the push forward design because of double triggers.

I have used them quite a bit, particularly back when I lived in Germany. I learned to not like them very much. Many rifles so equipped tend to have rather poor triggers when the set trigger isn't employed. From a high seat they were fine, but, in my view, an unnecessary complication when stalking. Today, I find them particularly unhelpful with the great primary triggers available on rifles such as the R8.

I have a 3.5 lb trigger on most my rifles. Its crisp with no slop I personally feel super light trigger pulls hide alot of peoples errors in shooting fundamentals to the shooter.