Cable-Control Trigger Release

In the process of developing extreme rifle accuracy, trigger control has always been a critical issue. This can be much improved with some form of remote control trigger release, where the shooter’s hands don’t directly touch the rifle. Crafting some form of trigger release is quite rudimentary and the cost is low. Why A Trigger Release?

Though a cable-controlled 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 the more accurate Benchrest or target rifles using lighterpull 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 consists 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. Where such human guidance takes place, there is almost certain to be a marked difference from shot-to-shot on target. This is 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 a lighter pull weight. Such pull weight may range from as little as two ounces to around two pounds or greater. The most common methods of trigger release involve having the riflescope prealigned 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. 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.

So as the rifle is fired with one or two—or more—pound triggers, 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. Major disadvantages of this mechanism are the upside down position requiring a finger tip use to utilize the cam.

This type of trigger does little in delivering a more steady release in precision shooting from a bench rest and rifle testing. 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.

Making The Release As I came upon the idea for this cable trigger release, a few different theories were put on paper. I finally went to 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 provided will show the simplicity of the design. The picture descriptions should further clarify details in machining and usage.

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 the average trigger guard, particularly the Remington Model 700, Winchester Model 70, et al., which turned out to fit nearly all rifles. I was really excited to try it on some of my better rifles capable of extreme accuracy in the 1/4-1/2 minute-of-angle range. It functioned without a hitch.

This page: These axiomatic projections show the main body of the cable trigger release. Properly placed slots and grooves allow the block to be clamped to the lower trigger loop and attach the cable release. American Gunsmith Reader Services 1.

It’s really quite different to shoot with those busy, often-interfering hands totally off the rifle. Anticipation of the muzzle blast and recoil into the shoulder were a different experience as I viewed through the scope. But the release brought out the best in each rifle I tested.

When Left and Remington 700 with a 23" Krieger barrel 13.5" twist rate chambered in 6x45mm shooting a Berger bullet demonstrates grouping capability with a cable-control trigger release. heavy Magnum-type rifles are shot, this device is less useful as shouldering the rifle to receive such recoil will be necessary. Conclusion Not all of our innovative endeavors or inventions are going to result in success, but when they do, it is most encouraging. I see the cable control trigger release as one of these.

AG The brass clamp screw seen below clamps the unit to the trigger guard.