The Firearm
Changes to the pull on some firearms are possible since many have adjustable triggers, though the poundage originally was set at the factory. These pulls may seem to be on the high end of heavy today, though they may result from legal considerations. If your firearm does not have an adjustable trigger, do not alter it in an effort to make the trigger more user friendly. File or polish the wrong parts or take too much off the right ones, and you could cause your trigger to fire unexpectedly, which obviously is dangerous. This is when the services of a qualified gunsmith are desirable. For such work on my firearms I employ the services of Steve Yunecko, a qualified gunsmith. Steve told me that some firearms adjustments are not that difficult. On others, though, he prefers installing a new mechanism (trigger group), such as those from Timney Triggers. He also said that to make proper adjustments, up to an hour can be involved, and he is a professional. Steve warned that anyone needing such work should be careful. Some triggers, if not adjusted properly, may fire when the bolt is closed on a cartridge. He has corrected such problems after clients tried to make adjustments themselves ... hence the warning. As of 2009, Timney offers replacement triggers for the popular Ruger 10/22, which is used a lot by small game and varmint hunters. (www.timneytriggers.com)
If your firearm has a horrible trigger, aftermarket “fixes” such as this one from Timney Triggers can give you a great trigger pull.
Rifles and slug guns usually come from the factory with a trigger pull of 3-5 pounds. With revolvers, it is a different story! The single-action may have a decent trigger pull averaging 3-4 pounds. On double-action revolvers, a decent single-action pull is also 3-4 pounds, with the double-action pull the heaviest of the two. When hunting with a double-action revolver, we tend to pull the hammer back, which allows access to the lighter single-action pull. This is a more accurate way to fire such a handgun since a double-action pull on some of my revolvers is 8-10 pounds. However, if you have a great trigger but the pull is heavy, you still can fire double-action accurately with practice. To do this, practice pulling the trigger and stop just at the right time, at which time you will hear a faint click. This means to stop squeezing the trigger and hold it in that position. Now, applying another pound or so of pressure will drop the hammer while the handgun still is perfectly aligned on target. This technique takes practice and, with experience, what I just described becomes secondary. When hunting, play it safe and fire your double-action as if it were a single-action revolver for that better trigger pull.
If using a double-action handgun such as the Ruger on top, it is best to shoot it single-action as you must with the SA Ruger below. Also, notice the grip configurations. On the DA you can use rubber grips but on the SA they need to be nongripping like wood or plastic so the revolver can roll back with recoil. With the handgun “rolling” as designed, felt recoil is lessened.
Small Caliber, Dry Firing, And Laser Sight
To help with trigger pulls, shoot and shoot some more. The best way to do this is to practice with a firearm similar to what you intend to hunt with but chambered for a cartridge like the .22 LR ... because this round is cost effective! The more you accurately shoot that .22 rimfire, the better you will fire those big bores like a .270, .308, or .358 Winchester ... or whatever you prefer to use for hunting big game or small varmints.
While protecting the firing pin with snap caps, try some dry firing with the firearm, especially if it’s a handgun you intend to hunt with. Just be careful where you aim! I mention this because a friend who is a recognized professional and a crack shot told me he did this daily with his revolver because, in his work, his life depended on his skills with a firearm, usually a handgun. He also used revolvers when hunting big and small game. One day he blew up his television with that first “dry fired” shot, so be careful. Accidents can happen to anyone, but he told on himself because those who knew him thought he was the last person any of us would have expected to make a mistake.
However, this procedure has a place. If doing this, use snap caps to avoid damaging the firing pin. Such firing, especially if a laser sight is installed, gives us instant feedback. On firing, we see how our sight or laser dot moved as the hammer was dropped on the primer. While not legal for hunting big game, but legal for certain varmints, I use various Crimson Trace laser sights (www.crimsontrace.com) in my practice. Their use is like having a coach watch you shoot. If that dot “jumps” when you fire and the hammer drops, you threw the shot and it is visually obvious by how much. When I do this, it takes only once to set off something in my mind that says, “OK, George. Take your time and do not move that firearm until after the blast is heard. Squeeze the trigger, the hammer drops, and remember follow-through!”
Manufacturers are always trying to upgrade their triggers. Ron Coburn, who heads up Savage Arms, now has one of the best with the AccuTrigger.
Exercising The Hands And Shoulders
This last point only makes sense! The stronger your upper body, the easier it is to hold out a rifle or handgun as you aim and fire. If strain is gone, only trigger pull should be a concern. If you’re a handgun hunter, what is also helpful is squeezing a hand grip every other day to increase your hand strength. I have hand grips on my desk that I squeeze as I read my e-mail or whatever so I don’t waste time. Whatever works to tone up one’s muscles, try it. Physical conditioning is also a part of the equation to accurately firing that firearm, with the trigger pull the nerve center to accuracy.
The VARMINT HUNTER Magazine, a 208-page publication put together for shooters by shooters. The Varmint Hunters Association, Inc. hosts several 600-yard IBS matches, a coyote calling contest, and an annual Jamboree in Fort Pierre, SD. The Jamboree is a week-long shooting event known as "a summer camp for shooters".
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