Cable Control Trigger Release

Why is some form of trigger release needed? Though a cable control type of trigger release may not be used during actual hunting or benchrest competition, it becomes a very effective aid during the critical testing of a rifle, particularly with more accurate benchrest or target rifles using lighter triggers. The most common method in effectively testing a rifle for optimal accuracy is to rest the front and rear of the stock on very stable supports.

These usually consist of a precision front bag rest and special sandbags with laterally positioned ears at the rear of the stock. In this way the rifle is carefully positioned and adjusted so the scope reticle is precisely on target with little or no help in guiding it with the hands or shoulder. Such human guidance almost certain to have a marked difference from shotto-shot on target due to the inability to duplicate the hold and trigger pull from one shot to the next.

To obviate the human element in accurate shooting, triggers are set to lighter pull weights. Such pull weights may range from as little as two ounces to around two pounds or so. The most common methods of trigger release involve having the sights pre-aligned on target with the scope reticle fixed on the aim point and pulling the trigger straight back with only the tip of a finger contacting the rifle. No shoulder or hand contact is used as the rifle recoils rearward against the shooter’s shoulder.

Of course, all the while the trigger is being pulled, the shooter views the scope reticle precisely on target. If performed correctly, extremely small groups on target are the usual result. Major disadvantages of this mechanism are the upside down position requiring finger tip use to utilize the cam. This type of trigger does little in delivering a more steady release in precision benchrest shooting and rifle testing.

This is all well and good for the really light trigger but when somewhat heavier triggers come into play, some hand and shoulder rifle contact is required and this is where as little as a one pound trigger pull disturbance can cause rifle movement on trigger release, particularly with lighter weight rifles. As the rifle is fired with triggers weighing more than a pound or so, an equal amount of thumb and/or hand pressure is applied to the rifle stock to compensate for the errors in the trigger pull.

Sometimes varying degrees of shoulder pressure are applied in trying to accomplish a more steady trigger pull, usually with little improvement. This is where the cable control trigger release comes to the rescue. No part of the hand or body comes in direct contact with the rifle until the butt plate moves rearward into the shooter’s shoulder or other form of stop. The cable control device is simply a means of attaching a common camera cable shutter release to the trigger guard, enabling it to work the trigger.

This very effective device can be made up by the innovative gunsmith at a very low cost for materials.

Properly placed slots and grooves allow the block to be clamped to the lower trigger loop and attach the cable release. Making Trigger Releases I had a sketched a few ideas on paper for cable trigger releases and finally went with a simple aluminum block machined with a slot to fit the underside of different style trigger guards. A groove, set at proper angle, was then made at the top of the block to hold and direct the cable release pointer against the trigger.

The pictures show the simplicity of the design and further clarify details in machining and usage. The brass clamp screw seen below clamps the unit to the trigger guard. Testing As I made up the trigger release unit, I fitted the attaching slot to a number of different trigger guards for universal application. The slot is formed with a shallow radius to fit average trigger guards, particularly Remington Model 700 and Winchester Model 70 series rifles, and

this turned out to fit nearly all rifles. I was really excited to try it on some of my better rifles capable of extreme accuracy capable of 1/4 to 1/2 minute of angle precision and it functioned without a hitch. It’s really quite different to shoot a rifle with our often-interfering hands totally off the firearm. Anticipation of the muzzle blast and recoil into the shoulder were a different experience as I viewed through the scope. This brought out the best in each rifle I tested.

When heavy magnum-type rifles are shot this device is less useful and shouldering the rifle to receive such recoil will be necessary. Conclusion Not all of our endeavors are going to result in success but it’s encouraging when they do. I see the cable control trigger release as one of these. AG