stubbicatt
New member
Funny how as you get older your tastes change. Over the years I picked up a bunch of milsurps, back when they were pretty cheap. So recently I've become fascinated with the post 1880, pre WW1 breach loading rifles. To my eye, the lines of the Winchester rifles of that era are most pleasing, so I have been acquiring quite a few, and selling off the milsurps to fund these acquisitions.
First was a 45-70 High Wall, dating from 1888, with single set trigger and crescent buttplate. Next is a highly gunsmithed High Wall from 1905 - a 32-40 Schuetzen rifle, with double set trigger, palm rest and hooked butt. Recently, an 1894 with close coupled double set trigger, 1901 vintage, with crescent buttplate.
So I have an example of each of the set triggers offered by Winchester. These are fascinating mechanisms. For those who don't know, the set trigger is a sort of dual use mechanism. You can shoot the rifle like any other, with a nice, crisp, standard trigger of a few pounds weight for let off. Or, if you wish, you can "set" the trigger, which converts the trigger pull to a "hair trigger."
"Setting" the single-set trigger is as simple as pressing the trigger shoe forward, towards the muzzle. This is my least favorite version. It does lighten the trigger pull, but perhaps it is the curvature of the shoe or something, but I find I prefer the standard trigger on that rifle.
"Setting" the double-set trigger is as one would imagine, pull the rearmost trigger lever, and then lightly touch the forward trigger lever. This has the best "feel" of the 3. Each of these has a tiny adjustment screw that will enable the rifleman to find the best pull and degree of engagement he desires.
"Setting" the CCDST is a matter of pressing forward on the rear most of the two levers. As the name implies, these two trigger levers are in very close proximity to one another. This one is the most sensitive of the 3 I have.
Oddly enough, using these triggers has forced me to rebuild my offhand position. Previously, I would really snug the toe of the stock into the shoulder pocket with my right hand, and actuate the trigger. With these set triggers, one doesn't really need to pull the stock in tight, but best accuracy is attained by pretty much just balancing the rifle fore stock in the off hand or weak hand, barely touching the stock with the strong hand, just enough to stabilize it, and lightly pulling the set trigger to discharge the rifle. The "rifle" stocks fit on either the ball of the shoulder, or on the upper arm between the ball of the shoulder and the biceps, and minute elevation adjustments are much easier made by lifting the strong hand elbow as needed. If you try to muscle the rifle into the "pocket" of the shoulder/collarbone, or pull it in tight, manipulating the set trigger to discharge the shot is all wrong. You get wobble and a discomfiting feeling using the trigger.
I've always struggled with offhand shooting, but this change in my position occasioned by these set triggers has enabled me to allow the rifle to just hover over the target, and has really increased my accuracy and holding ability. I suspect what I have learned here will translate into standard, modern, rifle offhand shooting.
I can better understand how the architecture of these rifles is conducive to offhand shooting. The "system" of the crescent buttplate, the relatively steep angle to the stock, or the "drop" in the buttstock, the balance point of the rifle, and the set trigger are all really big improvements overall assisting the rifleman to make good shots from his hind legs.
It is as though the rifle conforms to a natural standing position, rather than forcing the body to conform to the rifle? Maybe the old time shooters were on to something?
First was a 45-70 High Wall, dating from 1888, with single set trigger and crescent buttplate. Next is a highly gunsmithed High Wall from 1905 - a 32-40 Schuetzen rifle, with double set trigger, palm rest and hooked butt. Recently, an 1894 with close coupled double set trigger, 1901 vintage, with crescent buttplate.
So I have an example of each of the set triggers offered by Winchester. These are fascinating mechanisms. For those who don't know, the set trigger is a sort of dual use mechanism. You can shoot the rifle like any other, with a nice, crisp, standard trigger of a few pounds weight for let off. Or, if you wish, you can "set" the trigger, which converts the trigger pull to a "hair trigger."
"Setting" the single-set trigger is as simple as pressing the trigger shoe forward, towards the muzzle. This is my least favorite version. It does lighten the trigger pull, but perhaps it is the curvature of the shoe or something, but I find I prefer the standard trigger on that rifle.
"Setting" the double-set trigger is as one would imagine, pull the rearmost trigger lever, and then lightly touch the forward trigger lever. This has the best "feel" of the 3. Each of these has a tiny adjustment screw that will enable the rifleman to find the best pull and degree of engagement he desires.
"Setting" the CCDST is a matter of pressing forward on the rear most of the two levers. As the name implies, these two trigger levers are in very close proximity to one another. This one is the most sensitive of the 3 I have.
Oddly enough, using these triggers has forced me to rebuild my offhand position. Previously, I would really snug the toe of the stock into the shoulder pocket with my right hand, and actuate the trigger. With these set triggers, one doesn't really need to pull the stock in tight, but best accuracy is attained by pretty much just balancing the rifle fore stock in the off hand or weak hand, barely touching the stock with the strong hand, just enough to stabilize it, and lightly pulling the set trigger to discharge the rifle. The "rifle" stocks fit on either the ball of the shoulder, or on the upper arm between the ball of the shoulder and the biceps, and minute elevation adjustments are much easier made by lifting the strong hand elbow as needed. If you try to muscle the rifle into the "pocket" of the shoulder/collarbone, or pull it in tight, manipulating the set trigger to discharge the shot is all wrong. You get wobble and a discomfiting feeling using the trigger.
I've always struggled with offhand shooting, but this change in my position occasioned by these set triggers has enabled me to allow the rifle to just hover over the target, and has really increased my accuracy and holding ability. I suspect what I have learned here will translate into standard, modern, rifle offhand shooting.
I can better understand how the architecture of these rifles is conducive to offhand shooting. The "system" of the crescent buttplate, the relatively steep angle to the stock, or the "drop" in the buttstock, the balance point of the rifle, and the set trigger are all really big improvements overall assisting the rifleman to make good shots from his hind legs.
It is as though the rifle conforms to a natural standing position, rather than forcing the body to conform to the rifle? Maybe the old time shooters were on to something?
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I remember one old guy who used to come to the "varmint" matches at the range I shot at 35+ years ago. The matches allowed any position (starting from standing with the rifle at low carry), hunting rifles (max 10 lbs), 10 shots in 30 seconds on pivoting target holders at varying ranges. That old guy shot a Stevens 44-1/2 in .28-30 and he would clean the targets in record time because he could shoot the allowed 10 shots in the 30 seconds time limit from the offhand position.