Not a fan of the XMark trigger

[longwinters]

I've been trying to get the Rem 700 SPS Tact 223 into shooting form for coyotes etc... Shooting multiple load variations etc. Can't say I'm too happy. I have 4 loads that will shoot ugly groups under 1"(yes there are nice consistent groups under 1" and there are ugly inconsistant groups under 1") these are the ugly kind. But I know the rifle can do better and that I am a better shooter than that with this light of a caliber.

I've been shooting 5 shot groups and have one load that if I took my 1st 3 shots was .176, but the last 2 put it at .789 and I'm thinking it is a problem between me and the trigger.

My other rifles have triggers about 2.5# and this one is much heavier. I don't have a trigger scale, but I know that I feel like I am shooting it several times before it fires. I squeeze and squeeze and squeeze and finally it goes off. The trigger breaks pretty clean, but even having it adjusted (with that stupid allen screw that sticks down by the trigger so that your finger hits it every time you go to put your index finger on the trigger) as light as it will adjust to, it's too heavy. I think when you are used to a lighter trigger it is hard to go back. I tend to be kind of a rhythm shooter off of the bench concerning my breathing etc and when the trigger doesn't break at the right time with my breathing pattern it kind of hoses me up. So I guess I'm looking at taking it to a gunsmith to see what he can do or buy a good trigger to swap it out with.

I'd take the old style Rem trigger any day.

I won't tell you my opinion of the stock.....

Long

 

[DrMike]

Getting used to a new--improved--trigger or stock is difficult at best. You're not the first to register your displeasure with the X-Mark Pro trigger system. On the other hand, I know of people who are simply thrilled with this system. I'm certain you'll get it worked out, Long.

 

[elkeater2]

If you haven't heard of this guy and his springs: http://erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i173.html he has good stuff and really good online directions and illustrations. If you don't tinker but have a gunsmith, I'd still suggest this kit. At $6.95 a pop, it could be money well spent! No one is getting rich off this deal, but you could end up with a trigger you like a lot. I have been very happy with the Win 70 and Weatherby springs I have gotten from him. Oh, and a bonus - following his directions and with the spring change, that screw is backed out a max of 3/4 of a turn, so it shouldn't be dragging on your knuckles anymore :wink:
EE2

 

[sask boy]

I really started to like my X-mark once I changed it this year to a Timney :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

Timney does make a very nice replacement trigger for the Rem 700.

I suspect they've become more popular since Remington changed from their original trigger a few years back...

 

[BK]

It's amazing the number of guys over on the other board who swap out the new X-Mark/X-Mark Pro for the old (Mike Walker) triggers...

 

[RiverRider]

When I got my 70 Classic in .25-06 a while back, I was not impressed with the new MOA trigger. I don't have a pull scale but I'd estimate the lightest I could adjust it was about 4-1/2 pounds or thereabouts.

One day I decided I would splurge for a few of the Ernie-the-Gunsmith springs. I got one for my old Ruger 77, one for my Y2K 700 Classic, and one for my 70 Classic. I was able to improve all of them. The 77 actually is a pretty good design and is much better than the Mark II trigger, and it adjusted very nicely. The J-Lock trigger on my 700 is acceptable. The MOA trigger is now unbelievable and is by far the best trigger in my safe. I'll bet it breaks at about a pound and a half, and there is ZERO perceptible creep. I'll have to adjust it up a little heavier once I finish ironing out my handload for that rifle.

I have nothing with the X-Mark Pro trigger and I have never messed with one...but I'd sure try a spring kit before throwing in the towel.

 

[AzDak42]

I've had a few rifles ship to me with the X-Mark Pro and I wasn't all that impressed. I did always have the proverbial 'surprise' when it went off, because it was inconsistent as heck. Up until buying my 700 7STW I'd swapped them all out with a Timney. The most recent X-Marck showed up at about 3 1/4 pounds and is consistent using my trigger pull gauge. (My others came from the factory at 6-8 pounds)

I'm hoping that Remington is finally stepping up and spending the time/effort on tuning them at the factory, because they were getting beaten up for having one of the worst out of the box rifle triggers on the market. It always felt to me like the x-mark was a good enough design, but they just slapped it on the rifle and sent it out, more to appease the marketing needs than the desire to deliver a great trigger.

Then again, maybe I just had the luck of the draw, or they put more time on it, as it was a special run of rifles?

As to the accuracy you're seeing..

Two things - First, .22 caliber bullets look 'all over the place' because they are so damn tiny. If you had those same groups with a .30, you'd probably be thinking it wasn't so bad.

Lastly, MOA out of a factory SPS is right in the ballpark. In the factory SPS stock and with the x-mark pro trigger, my .243 Varmint SPS was about a 1 moa gun, or just a hair over. After swapping out the stock for an AICS and moving to a Timney tigger, it went down to a consistent 5 shot 1/2" to 3/4" moa. But honestly, factory rifle barrels are a crap shoot. They run a lot of material over their tooling and where your particular barrel ended up in that lifespan can vary the end results quite a bit.

Your best bet at this point is probably to swap out for a better stock with a bedding system. (B&C Medalist Alaskan II is fantastic.. All my rifles have tighted up after being fitted with these stocks - great improvement for under $250.)

Good luck mate, tinkering on 700s can be a bit addictive..

700 SPS .243 Win - AICS 2.0/Timney
700 SPS 7STW - B&C Medalist (x-mark pro with a Timney waiting in the wings)
700 LSS 7mmRM - B&C medalist with a custom trigger job (unknown smith)
700 ADL 30-06 - B&C medalist with Timney