Proper Trigger Control for Better Accuracy
The ability to consistently hit a target depends on everything from your shooting position and how well the rifle fits you, to weather conditions and countless other variables. Yet of all the factors, trigger control is the most important. You might fire the most accurate rifle in the world, but if you can’t manage the trigger, groups expand and consistency fails.
For legal reasons, many rifles are manufactured with trigger pulls far heavier than most shooters like. In a world where many groups welcome the chance to sue any firearm manufacturer, gun makers double down on safety to avoid litigation.
Savage solved this heavy-pull situation with the invention of the AccuTrigger back in 2002—an innovation that, to put it into perspective, preceded the flip phone. Given the tremendous advancement in technology in other segments of society, the AccuTrigger has withstood the test of time and remains one of the best trigger innovations of this century.
Today’s hunters are savvier about ballistic data and capable of making accurate, lethal shots at much longer distances than a decade ago. The introduction of cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor and match-grade ammunition by Federal and other manufacturers has improved rifle accuracy like never before.
How it Works
The heart of the AccuTrigger is the AccuRelease, a thin blade that rides within the main trigger to keep the sear from releasing if the trigger is accidentally bumped off. (42) While the trigger is being pulled, the AccuRelease is intentionally depressed, which unblocks the sear and allows the rifle to discharge. In use, it takes about 1 pound of pressure to move the AccuRelease to the rear, where the trigger finger then touches the trigger.
The first-of-its-kind system is easily adjustable by the shooter, offers a light, clean pull with no creep, and prevents the firearm from discharging if jarred or dropped. The AccuTrigger gives shooters the flexibility to set trigger pull to 1.5 to 6 pounds without having to pay a gunsmith to adjust it. Even when adjusted to its lowest setting, the AccuTrigger is completely safe.
The system is as easy to adjust as it is to use. Rimfire shooters can use the adjustment tool that comes with the rifle to adjust the trigger screw to the optimal pull. Centerfire users need to remove the stock, but adjusting trigger pull is done the same way. The actual trigger pull feels much like an excellent two-stage trigger, only better. It is easy to discern the difference between the feel of the AccuRelease and the trigger blade.
Tips for Hunters
I once hunted spring gobblers with a muzzleloading shotgun on a very cold morning. Both for camouflage and insulation, I wore a heavy glove on my shooting hand. A gobbler suddenly appeared and as I lowered the front-loader toward its head, the shotgun fired prematurely. I “smoked” that tom, but not in the way I intended. Ever since that day I’m doubly careful about my trigger finger.
Personally, I think 2.5 pounds is the ideal trigger weight and the AccuTrigger makes that threshold safe and attainable. Use the tool included with the rifle to set your ideal trigger weight but take extra precautions when hunting in cold weather.
If you wear inexpensive cotton gloves, consider cutting the tip from the trigger finger. This allows you to have complete feel of the trigger for maximum control. Hunters in extremely cold weather often wear mittens over a light glove. Sitting in near-zero temperatures is extremely difficult and hands and feet are the most vulnerable. If a buck hangs back for minutes in the bitter cold, the light glove allows trigger control in situations when a bare hand may go numb.
Perfect Practice
Many hunters own a centerfire and a rimfire rifle in the same configuration to make practice easier. If both rifles have the AccuTrigger, it’s easy to shoot a 22 Long Rifle at the range or in your backyard to prepare for hunting season. Since rimfire ammo is inexpensive you will get plenty of practice until you can fire at the optimal moment without jerking the trigger.
Once this consistency is developed, transferring this skill to your favorite centerfire hunting rifle is an easy transition, thanks to the effectiveness and ease of the AccuTrigger.
To see the complete line of Savage rifles offering AccuTrigger, visit www.savagefirearms.co
