Timney Trigger Vs Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Trigger

[338winmag]

I just installed a new timney trigger in my Weatherby Vanguard Series 1 rifle which most know this rifle's trigger had a reputation of "just not the greatest". I did not have to make any modifications at all to the rifle stock. The trigger works! Timney states in their documentation that the trigger is factory set at 3 pounds. I am going to have to take their word for it since I do not have a trigger pull tester. (Looks like I am going to go out and purchase a Lyman Trigger Pull Gage - )

The trigger works! No creep. Just trigger sqeeze and click. ...but .....

I now have 2 Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 rifles with a two stage trigger and also have a friend who has a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 rifle. All different calibers. Aside from the first stage on the Vanguard Series 2, I am not convinved this Timney trigger is something to be "shocked and awed about". As a matter of fact, right now, testing these rifles side by side, the Vanguard Series 2 triggers are most definitely better.

Now being open minded, perhaps the Vanguard Series 2 triggers are set a bit lighter than 3 pounds or the Timney is set higher than 3 pounds. I am going to make a lighter adjustment with the Timney and see if that makes a difference (I will edit and advise) but my hat is off to Weatherby. Their two stage Vanguard 2 triggers are very nice.

Anyone able to compare as well?

Thanks
3382inmag

 

[BK]

Anyone able to compare as well?

Not yet, but one of these days I will pick up an S2 .240 Weatherby, and I'll be able to compare an S1 (.223), S2 (.240 Wby.), and a Howa (sorta S1-ish. 7 WSM) I might spring for the Timneys after comparing the two earlier guns to the new one.

 

[Kodiak]

Anyone able to compare as well?

Not yet, but one of these days I will pick up an S2 .240 Weatherby, and I'll be able to compare an S1 (.223), S2 (.240 Wby.), and a Howa (sorta S1-ish. 7 WSM) I might spring for the Timneys after comparing the two earlier guns to the new one.

If you install a Basix 1-3# trigger in your Weaby/Howa, you'll wonder why everybody don't have one in their rifle! They are nice. I have them in my S-1 Vanguards and would not change to any other.

Jim

 

[Guest]

I've never had issues with the 1st Gen Vanguard trigger - though I've never owned one, only shot others' rifles. I've found them all to be adjustable with care to be as good as a factory rifle needs to be - about 3lbs, crisp, and creep-free with a very little amount of work. That said, I understand not everyone liked them and not everyone could adjust them properly (sear engagement-safety lockout issues). I was excited to try the S2 trigger the first time I got a chance. I'll only say that I don't care for it. It reminds me of the clunky take-up on my Win94, though not quite as much pre-travel. Not a great setup for my shooting style, but your mileage may vary.

 

[338winmag]

I luv my Weatherby Vanguard Series 1 338 Win Mag. My trigger had a lot of creep. I learned to shoot with it but it took a lot of serious concentration anticipating the release every single time. I started reloading and shooting others and a few of those rifles had pretty nice triggers. I then realized I needed to do something.

I did adjust my S1 trigger over 5 separate times. Dry firing was beautiful but after only 1 or two shots each time at the range, it was back to creep.

Anyhow, I decided against going out and buying a trigger pull gage. I can't justify $50-$60 for a couple of tests. I definitely know its not near 1.5 pounds which Timney states is the stopping point so I can live with this nice squeeze-release.

I have seen a mention or two (now three ) regarding the Basix 1-3# trigger. Maybe I should have looked into them as well.

Thanks for your comments
338Winmag

 

[RJR-51]

The Weatherby S2 trigger is very nice. I have one in 240WBY and am impressed with
the whole package. The two stage takes a little getting used to, as all my Rem 700s
have Shilen triggers.

 

[Horsethief]

The Timney I put on my Enfield breaks at about 26-28oz. I didn't adjust a thing on it but I like it the way it is. I'm getting tiny groups with it so there is nothing to improve. That sloppy, long-pulling skinny trigger from 1917 wasn't going to work for me.

The S2 Vanguard I have is making equally small groups. I adjusted nothing on that trigger as well. I like the 2-stage trigger so well I put one on another original Vanguard and again no adjustments were needed. I firmly believe it has made an already rifle a better one.

I know some guys don't like the pre-tension movement of the 2-stage trigger and that's fine. This is still a Land of Choices and having two great triggers out there is just fine with me. I'm 100% in agreement that the trigger on the older Vanguards was their weak point. A friend has one with an excellent trigger. He got it used and there is nothing on it to tweek, improve, or anything like that: just shoot it!

 

[Guest]

338, if you're close to Huntsville, AL, I'll be more than happy to meet up sometime and you can use my trigger pull gauge.

For all you guys changing out your Vannie triggers, I might be interested in having the old stockers if you don't want them. Can't pay much, but always like to have parts lying around...

 

[338winmag]

Thanks for the kind offer Dubyam. I am a few mile away though. Here in Colorado Springs CO.

I am sure the new Timney is going to help shoot more consistent groups and the enjoyment of the rifle. I am out to the range with it this weekend.

Thanks all.
338winmag

 

[Kodiak]

Not to steal the original posting ... Is the Howa rifle line the same as the Vanguards? And how do their triggers compare?


Jim

 

[Guest]

The Howa is the same basic action as the Vanguard, and the new Howas come with a similarly described two-stage trigger, so I believe it's the same, as well. They are great rifles, too, though they lack a few of the amenities of the Vanguard. It just depends on which amenities you feel you need as to whether or not they are the best deal for you. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it were in a configuration I wanted.

 

[BK]

And at least Weatherby puts a stock on the Vanguard that you would expect on a Weatherby... the crap that Howa is saddling their 1500s with these days is awful.

 

[russ808]

I had two vanguards. One had a great trigger and the other... well it was replaced with a timney.
Russ

 

[Oldtrader3]

.338, I replaced my Mark V .340 Weatherby trigger with a Timney about 3 years ago. It improved the Japanese built trigger for creep and roughness a great amount, but! It did not equal the triggers in my Model 70's, Mauser-Jewell trigger, or Sako 85 trigger. I suspect that the Timney sear pin is a MIM's part and it has a little creep and feel which the other rifles I own do not have. I have it set at 2.5 pounds and 0.015" engagement which may be too much but it does not fire accidentally. It is adequate.

 

[338winmag]

More great comments thanks.

I have heard alot about the Jewel triggers are sweet too..,
Honestly I did not know nice triggers till I started reloading for others and taking their rifles to the range. Then I said, "Oh now I see what a sweet trigger is." One of them was a Jewel and another was a Timney and one was --> factory trigger in a Winchester Sporter in a 270 caliber.

Thanks all
338winmag

 

[SJB358]

I love the older M70 triggers. A good smith can make them so nice.. The newer MOA triggers are pretty nice as well, with a little adjustment they seem to work just fine. Their pull weight is deceiving sometimes. Being as I only have one newer M70, I am still liking them more, but the MOA is nice.

Brian has a Jewel in his Rem 300 RUM and it is a nice trigger as well. Very nice..

 

[tddeangelo]

Scotty, I'm with you, man. The trigger on the M70 can be a sweetheart when properly adjusted. I have most of my 5 Winchesters with light, crisp triggers with no overtravel. That '06 I just got is being pig-headed with adjustment of the trigger, but I will come to an understanding with it one way or another, lol.

My dad just put a Vanguard S2 on hold at Cabela's, and I tried the trigger. Super light for a sporter, decently clean break, my only complaint is it has a country mile of overtravel, and no user-adjustable way to tune it out. I'll take a bit more pull weight in exchange for a solid wall behind that trigger when it breaks. Just my preference.

I don't know what the older Vanguard triggers were like, but the S2 is a pretty decent setup, and for a $500 rifle, I'm fairly impressed with what Weatherby is offering, to be honest.

 

[338winmag]

So is a M70 what this was --> "factory trigger in a Winchester Sporter in a 270 caliber"

...cause i got to tell ya, this trigger is really really nice. Everytime I shoot it, I am impressed with the perfect weight and squeeze. Only issue is it takes me one round to remember how sweet it is. :lol:

 

[DrMike]

The trigger on each of my Model 70s is a joy to use. It was one of the features that sold the older Model 70, and the new MOA trigger is as good or better.