Timney Trigger for the Weatherby Vanguard? |

Truth is, the average hunter could have lived with the original trigger. However, I am not an average hunter, the quality engineer in me wanted better. Reduce variation, Cpk. That said: I tried to adjust the original trigger. I noticed at the range that when I expected the trigger to break, it wasn’t, and had to apply slightly more pressure to the trigger. I took the rifle apart per the Manual to adjust the set screw to a lighter poundage. I could not. The spring in the trigger was at its lowest setting and could get just around 3 lbs. 10 oz. out of the Weatherby Trigger, that was it. Not bad, but ceteris paribus (all other things being equal) I wanted 3 pounds like my other rifles.

As a potential long range hunter who goes on hunts that can cost thousands of dollars and has high marksmanship standards, it made sense to upgrade the trigger. The Timney is adjustable down below 3 lbs too for target and also smoother and crisper than the factory trigger.

Some research with my friends at Timney finds a Timney Drop-in – Weatherby Vanguard Trigger pre-set at the factory to 3 pounds. Wow! Nice!

Easy-Peasy! In a few swift motions following disassembly procedures in the Owners Manual, I removed the stock mounting screws and removed and replaced the trigger as a drop-in and screwed a single screw in the trigger base to mount it. Then replaced stock and trigger plate and screwed the mounting screws back by torquing the rear trigger screw to its 35 ft-lb setting first, then did the same for the forward mount screw to the same torque.

Photo below is the removal of the stock and trigger housing. When reinstalled, remember to torque to 35 ft-lbs first ( I use a Wheeler Fat Wrench to set the torque)

Photo below of the forward mounting screw. Set to 35 ft-lbs after the rear screw has been torqued near the trigger.

The Vanguard Trigger is held in place by a single screw. Below image is the original trigger. This trigger has nearly 1/4 inch uptake movement to touch the sear. The Timney has no uptake and is right on the sear at the get-go.

Photo below is the new Timney Trigger installed and pre-set at 3 pounds pull.

Done! Total time was about 20 minutes. My Digital Lyman Pull Gage indicates that the Timney trigger brakes at 3 pounds or so and amazingly crisp. At a cost of $129 dollars, I think the Timney upgrade is worth it for those long range shot and increased accuracy. Further, that any shot at a moving target as in a walking deer, you want to know exactly when your finger pressure on the trigger will fire the rifle. Cheers to Accuracy!

Good Hunting!