Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles M70 triggers and lock time - options?

Hey folks,

I tuned my M70 triggers over the weekend and they still seem spongy to me compared to my M700's. Lock time also seems slow compared to my M700's although the difference is milliseconds or parts thereof.

What have you guys done to your triggers? Anyone tried the Tubb speed pins in their M70's? Any advice to pass along?

Why don`t you polish the sear????

I looked at the enaging surfaces and decided against it - they looked polished with no visible tool marks or abnormalities. I may do it anyway.............

I installed 30# firing pin mainsprings on my classics to ensure a proper strike in extreme cold. I think the factory springs are supoosed to 22#.

Lock time in milliseconds: Model 70 pre-'64 3.5ms. / Model 70 post '64, 3 ms./ Remington 700 long action, 3 ms.

Hey Tom - looked at that last night. Am thinking a combination heavier spring with a Tubb speedlock would be much faster. Then again, the spring alone would be cheap. Thanks!

270 - those are close to the numbers I've seen except my sources quote the Remington as 2.5 ms. I'll bet it's 2.0 with the Callahan pins I replaced the Remington's with. It doesn't seem like much but the trigger feels significantly different on my M70's than my M700's. They ain't bad bus does feel muchly different.

b: Won't the speed locks increase resistance on bolt lift? I have never done this or had a problem with any of mine so do not know....my 270 went "bang" at 25 below zero

Exactly the wrong thing to do.. THAT is one item that is not to be touched. A proper M70 trigger job will not only address weight, but engagement and contact surface stoning of the trigger notch.

Do not just add a heavier spring. That will increase force needed for bolt lift and in many circumstances greatly enhance the wearing of (or galling of, in SS models) the cocking notch. The Tubb kits are good. Proper weighted spring coupled with lighter/stronger striker. D. Tubb knows what he's doing and his kits are first-class items, plus, they're designed to work in concert for top performance..

bwinters,

Look into a trigger from Rifle Basix. For $95.00, I put one in my M70 a couple of weeks ago and the thing is PERFECT. They have a website you can jump on for more info.

CLB

Redneck,
Are the Tubbs M70 kit just changed out by the customer who unscrews the rear of bolt?
Or is it something that really needs a gunsmith to fit?

The striker's removed, and the firing pin is unscrewed from the cocking piece to be replaced by the Tubb unit. When reassembled and installed in the bolt, check protrusion to ensure it's at .050-.060, max., when in full forward travel..

Redneck,
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Bob - hadn't considered how much heavier bolt lift would be. My goal is to get a better feeling trigger - they just don't feel as crisp as I'm used to, almost sluggish. Maybe its just the differences in mechanics between the M70 and M700 trigger mechanisms.

I'll keep playing with the trigger until it suits me..........

Redneck - Thanks for the tip. I've been known to use my hard arkansas stones to clean up tool marks and uneven surfaces on triggers and associated mechanisms.

CLB - was looking at those on Midway last night......... Did you use the standard stock spring and firing pin that came with the rifle?

bwinters,

Yes, I kept the factory spring and pin. I may opt for a new spring, but I'll say I don't think it's needed. As is, I have it set just under 3 pounds with zero creep. It's really smooth and simple to install. I bought mine dirctly from them for less than 95.00 shipping included.

CLB

b: The best solution for a mushy M70 trigger is a top smith like Redneck or some grey-haired maestro like the guy who tunes mine...they will break like an icecicle but still be safe,and the safety will work with no worries. Many of the match shooting smiths back here know how to do a M70 because so many oldtimers shot matches with them....

A couple of mine would have you leaping for joy....but not TOO light.....

Even if you have to ship them it is worth it to get the job done right.....

CLB - thanks for the info.

Bob - I might be looking at those very options at the moment

Redneck
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