Remington 700 trigger question

[TexasShooter59]

I have a late 1990's 700 VS in .308 that may be having a trigger problem. It seems like the trigger pull may be harder than it used to be. I compared it to a mid 1990's VSF in .223 and the .308 does seem to be a little heavier.

Now, I have never noticed this before, and have never had a reason to compare the two trigger pulls before now. In the past, I could get 3/4" groups from the .308, but now I cannot. When I am pulling the trigger, I can see the crosshairs moving side to side while waiting for the trigger to break. So, I cannot get the groups I used to. ( I won't rule out operator error, but I think there is more going on here than that! )

I do not have a trigger pull gauge to check this.

Any thoughts on what may be going on here? In need of a cleaning? Pull weight adjustment?

This rifle has only seen a couple of hunting trips and mostly does paper punching.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Pull the barreled action out and thoroughly clean the trigger group with degreaser, then add fresh oil and see if it helps.

Oh, and check your adjustment screws to make sure on hasn't backed out on you.

If you are looking at the right side of the trigger, the top screw is overtravel. The one below it is trigger pull, and the one in the back is for sear engagement.

 

[Shimitup]

My guess is you just need to clean and lube the gun to take care of the trigger. Hate to say it but anytime the sights are moving, that's user error unless you live in California and something seismic is going on. Be sure you're comparing groups using the same ammo you used to use, and be sure your action screws are tight, having those loosen up can really mess up a good shooter.

 

[TexasShooter59]

Not very much seismic activity here in Texas! (fortunately!) I feel like the movement is coming from how much pressure I am having to apply to the trigger. I am comparing the same ammo.

Thanks for the replys so far!

 

[twofifty]

Maybe some dust or dirt got blown into the trigger housing - you're in Texas after all!

Suggest you spray some brake cleaner into the housing, after having removed the action/barrel from the stock and pulled the bolt.

Cleaning mine that way restored the trigger to its normal action. I did not lube it at all, contrary to what another poster suggested, so as not to attract dirt. I hope that was not a mistake, but so far so good.

Maybe others with more knowledge can pipe in on the lubing trigger question.

 

[TexasShooter59]

Just to close this out...

I removed the barreled action from the stock and sprayed the trigger assembly with CLP. Then, I dry fired the action several times with a snap cap inserted. Wiped off the excess CLP and then reassembled.

At the range, I could tell the trigger was moving smoother. Groups did tighten up some.

Thanks for the replies!