How to Upgrade the Trigger on a Remington 700

How to Upgrade the Trigger
on a Remington 700

By PJ DelHomme

Upgrading the trigger on your Remington 700 is an easy and straightforward way to improve your rifle’s performance and accuracy. This guide will walk you through the process, sharing practical tips and insights to help you achieve a cleaner, more consistent trigger pull.

Why Upgrade Your Trigger?

The factory trigger on a Remington 700 typically breaks at around four pounds. While some shooters prefer a heavier trigger, many find this weight leads to excessive squeeze time and anticipation, which can pull shots off target. Lighter, crisper triggers—especially those in the 1.5- to 2-pound range—offer a more predictable and repeatable break. This minimizes the risk of jerking or pulling off target, especially during precise bench shooting or hunting scenarios.

Choosing a Trigger

There are several reputable aftermarket trigger brands available, including TriggerTech, Timney, and Bix’n Andy. For this upgrade, a TriggerTech Special was chosen for its adjustability (from one to three and a half pounds) and its crisp, consistent break.

Step-by-Step Installation

Begin by ensuring your rifle is unloaded and safe to work on.

Remove the barreled action from the stock if you haven’t already done so. To see how that’s done, check out Part One of this video series. Locate the two pins securing the trigger assembly to the action. Using a 1/16-inch punch, carefully drive out the front pin first, followed by the rear pin. Take care not to lose the pins or the small components associated with the bolt release mechanism.

With the pins removed, the factory trigger and spring can be taken out and set aside. Prepare your new TriggerTech trigger for installation. If you prefer a flat-faced trigger, as in this example, select that option when purchasing.

Drop the new trigger into place, aligning it with the pin holes. Pay special attention to the bolt release lever. On the Remington 700, this must be properly seated under the hanger to function correctly. Once aligned, reinsert both pins to secure the new trigger assembly.

Testing and Adjusting

Test the bolt release to ensure it operates smoothly. The bolt should come out when you press the release, and the mechanism should reset properly.

Next, check the trigger pull weight using a trigger gauge. The TriggerTech Special typically measures between 1.7 pounds and 1.9 pounds out of the box, but you can adjust the pull weight by turning the small Allen screw on the trigger housing. Clockwise increases the pull weight; counterclockwise decreases it. Adjust as needed for your intended use, aiming for a balance between safety and performance.

As you can see, upgrading your Remington 700’s trigger is a simple yet highly effective way to enhance your shooting. Whether you’re heading to the range or out in the field, a lighter, crisper trigger can make a significant difference in accuracy and confidence.

Stay tuned for the next step in this upgrade series, where we’ll install the action into new chassis and take the rifle to the range for testing.

Need visuals of how to upgrade your barrel? Check out our step-by-step video.

Tools and Supplies Needed for a Remington 700 Trigger Upgrade

Before starting your trigger upgrade, gather the following tools and supplies to ensure a smooth installation process:

Tools

1/16-inch punch (for removing and reinstalling trigger pins)
Small hammer or mallet (to gently tap out and insert pins)
Allen key or hex wrench (usually included with your aftermarket trigger, for adjusting pull weight)
Flat workspace with good lighting

Supplies

Aftermarket trigger (e.g., TriggerTech Special, Timney, Bix’n Andy, or another compatible model)
Remington 700 rifle (action removed from the stock if necessary)
Small tray or magnetic parts dish (to hold pins and small parts)
Trigger pull gauge (for measuring and fine-tuning pull weight)

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