Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Winchester Model 70 MOA trigger

Looking for some Winchester Model 70 MOA trigger guidance.
Did some quick looking and found 3 options.

Ernie the Gunsmith out of AZ has a spring for $15, read mixed opinions on this.
Mcarbo has a spring for $20ish
Timney full trigger replacement $180

Is there a viable 4th option?

Is it broken?

I would try as is or the Ernie’s. The Timney is really a lateral move that just costs you money. Until trigger tech comes out with their long threatened MOA trigger, I’m not compelled to replace the whole thing.

I might try backing out the set screw as shown in the video.

Tempting, but I won't say it..

Once adjusted should you put something on the adjustment screw to keep it from backing out further?

That's some real self-control, right there! GD

Just get the Ernie spring. There are no "mixed reviews", that I've ever seen. Post them if you want, but of the 10+ rifles I've replaced the spring with the Ernie the gunsmith spring, the pull weight was brought down to 2.5 pounds. A couple even 2 3/8 pounds consistently.

Going to a Timney is a total lateral move. Except it will make your wallet lighter for no reason.

Sorry, there is no other option at the moment. Except call Browning and thank them, for putting their trigger in the model 70, when it didn't need to be messed with.

i have 3 Baco 70's... ordered 3 Ernie's springs... little to no improvement at all... ordered 3 M-CARBO spring kits... slightly better, but still not worth the bother & $ IMO... couldn't get any of Ernie's much under 3.5 lbs, M-CARBO's 3.25 lbs... it required a "Trigger Job" to smooth the trigger to get them under 3 lbs... the 280 is now @ 2 lbs... 7x57 @ 2&3/8 lbs... 30-06 @ 2&1/2 lbs IIRC... if i buy another Baco 70, i will do a "Trigger Job" first, before i switch springs... i like the M-CARBO springs better... but no matter which ones you buy, don't get cheap!... Order several extra as spares because they vary in pull weight!...

You want to sell me an Ernie spring?

Have played with a few of these myself, Ernie spring works great. Alternatively, cut 1/4 turn off the existing spring and re-test. Repeat until you achieve your desired weight. This won't fix the floppy trigger though. I do so despise the MOA triggers as compared to the original...

Might just be me, but if a hunting rifle trigger breaks clean?

The weight, if not excessive, is of no concern.

Learn the rifle you shoot.

My M70EWSS factory trigger pulls light and breaks like an icicle.


No complaints.




GR

ME2...

I call bs on this.


Chances are, he won't because he never bought an ernie spring. These are super simple to change out, adjust and end up with a 2 3/8-2.5 pound trigger pull. No need to look any further than the erniethegunsmith spring kit for the MOA. That is about the best fix on the market right now. There's no pulling the trigger apart and further "fine tuning". It's just not going to happen. As for the MOA itself, it's a fine box trigger. They break clean, with little to no creep, but as I've stated before, Browning should have just left the olstyle model 70 trigger in it. There was nothing wrong with that proven design.. But, it's Browning and they just had to put their own spin on it. One of the reasons I call them a Browning and not a Winchester..

JFC!!!... just trying to be helpful & share experiences... if someone wants Bonafidees, send me a # via PM and i will attempt to send a pic of said springs!... as to the "not gonn'a happen" trigger work... i wet sanded the contact surfaces of the trigger(mostly avoiding the actual break edges of the actuator & sear) using progressively finer Klingspor wet or dry adhesive backed sandpaper (400, 600, 800 grit)... i stuck the paper on to flat glass & used WD-40 as a lube, then polished with mothers Mag/Aluminum polish... it made them much lighter pull & much more consistent... based on my limited experience, I CALL BS... i can't believe 10+ rifles were bought down to 2 1/2 lbs & less, consistently, by just swapping to Ernie's spring!...

i used the best Ernie spring in one of my rifles... the next best one i ruined trying to shorten it to reduce pull weight... the last one, the cull (around 4 lbs pull IIRC) i still have... you are welcome to it for current pricing + the ride... PM for pic lol...

Probably have posted this before, but I have a Model 70 in stainless ( 1993 bought new) with the old style trigger and it breaks at 2.3 lb. Cannot remember ever adjusting it been so long, but I probably did. Have a BACO M70 in 243 bought new in 2012 and it breaks at 2.8 lb.....both hunting guns so not trying to win a shooting match with them. Like others have said, Winchester had the best trigger design going and Browning comes along with their design and messed up a gun that would have been better than a Pre 64 in my opinion.

I just adjusted mine down and put a drop of clear fingernail polish on the screw. It took maybe 15 minutes total. Nice and light now.

Fire Retardant clothing on here, but I have (8) of the FN Baco M 70's, several New Haven M 70's and a Pre 64 Model 70. I have had 50% luck with the Ernie's springs, some went to 3 pounds or less, some would not go below 4 pounds.
On a whim I ordered a Timney for my Super Grade in French Walnut, it will not be my last. Remove and replace trigger, great crisp 2.5 pound pull.

Mcarbo has a spring for $20ish - Get this one if you have older Win 70 open trigger, works great