Gunsmithing 700 trigger issue

[Crews]

I have a 700 barreled action in a JTAC chassis. It has a Rifle Basix trigger. I took the trigger off before I sent the barreled action in to have the barrel chopped. When it got back, I reinstalled the trigger (seemed pretty straight forward) and dropped it in the new chassis. No issues at the range or a few previous short hunting trips.

This weekend things got hot and heavy night hunting hogs and I started having issues with the trigger not cocking on bolt close. It was an intermittent issue, and I really couldn’t isolate anything operationally that was causing it. Can the Hide suggest any simple trouble shooting ideas or potential causes for me? Is this more likely to be a chassis interference issue or a trigger problem?

 

[fdkay]

remingtons cock on opening.
If you haven't made any adjustments to the trigger:
remove the trigger, blow it out with compressed air, clean it with lighter fluid and try again.
Be sure to turn the trigger upside down when blowing it out in the event something has fallen into the mechanism.

 

[Crews]

remingtons cock on opening.
If you haven't made any adjustments to the trigger:
remove the trigger, blow it out with compressed air, clean it with lighter fluid and try again.

I haven’t made any adjustments to it, just took it off and put it back on. It is a bit lighter than I’d like for a field use rifle honestly. Don’t know much about triggers.... will a heavier pull weight lead to more reliability?

I’ll definitely go clean it out today. Got some lighter fluid in the garage.

 

[CavReconScout]

YMMV but If you have the trigger set too light it will drop when you run the trigger fast/hard. Increase the pull weight a little and see if it helps. Does it pass a drop test?

 

[Crews]

Yes it will pass a drop test; it’s not stupid light or anything that would cause me alarm. I’m guessing 2 pounds or so.

 

[CavReconScout]

Gotcha. Reason I ask is I had a Rifle Basics that kept getting lighter as it wore. Finally got to the point it would drop if I ran the bolt hard.

 

[fdkay]

Yes it will pass a drop test; it’s not stupid light or anything that would cause me alarm. I’m guessing 2 pounds or so.

I have had issues with the standard remington trigger when set below 3 pounds. They tend to become very inconsistent.
Try setting it around 3 pounds, a decent trigger pull scale is not that expensive, 3 pounds is an excellent compromise between safety, reliability and accuracy potential.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-309888-Trigger-Pull-Scale/dp/B004E4CZE2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=trigger+pull+scale&qid=1598884487&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

As has been previously said remove and make sure it's clean. Then if you think the pull weight is too light, screw the front bottom screw in a 1/4 turn at a time. I bit more pull weight may take care of your problem. If not then the rear screw needs to come out some. To be safe it is usually a compromise between pull weight and sear engagement. My drop test here in the shop is me rapping the bolt shroud with a plastic mallet with the bolt closed.

 

[Crews]

I have had issues with the standard remington trigger when set below 3 pounds. They tend to become very inconsistent.

What do you mean by inconsistent? Same issue I’m having with it not cocking? Are you insinuating that a heavier trigger weight makes cocking more reliable? (Factory vs aftermarket?)

 

[fdkay]

What do you mean by inconsistent? Same issue I’m having with it not cocking? Are you insinuating that a heavier trigger weight makes cocking more reliable? (Factory vs aftermarket?)

no. Inconsistent pull weight. It would vary substantially.
Follow Mr. Tooley's advice.