Why do muzzleloaders have two triggers

For general shooting duties the front trigger is used as it is on any other rifle. Should the use of a set trigger be necessary, the back trigger is pulled to set the mechanism, then the front trigger stroked to fire the rifle. The screw in between the triggers is used to adjust the amount of pressure required to let off the set trigger.

For obvious reasons a set trigger should only be engaged immediately before a shot is to be taken. Carrying a loaded and cocked rifle with a set trigger engaged is an accident looking for a place to happen.

In the event that a trigger is set and no shot taken, steps need to be taken to make the firearm safe again. The safety catch should be immediately applied, the action opened and unloaded and the rifle pointed in a safe direction before the trigger is dropped to eliminate any chance of an accidental discharge. For a long time set triggers were only found on expensive target or hunting rifles, especially those of European make.

Hunters working from high seats and stands in forests had long been aware of the advantages of set triggers for taking precise aimed shots at game in open areas of their hunting blocks. During the s and 70s when fox shooting was a lucrative part-time money maker for shooters all over Australia, the Brno Fox rifles in. Their use promulgated a widespread acceptance of double set triggers on a scale not seen before and as dated as some of those rifles may now be, those fitted with double set triggers still command a premium price in the used gun market.

As I write there are four rifles in my gun vault fitted with set triggers. Two are percussion muzzleloaders — one an unfired Lyman Great Plains rifle, the other an Italian-made rifle of similar design, both in. On Tilterweira it was used exclusively on goats, with most of the animals ambushed on tanks where the ranges were rarely more than 50 or 60m. The builder evidently knew what he was doing because the pull is so smooth, I no longer see the need for a set trigger.

By the way, I had no problem going from the Hawken to using a 42 inch barrel for hunting. Joined Apr 3, Messages 15, Reaction score 6. I don't want double triggers on my guns. I just want a good light trigger for hunting.

On the guns Roy built me, My custom. Rifleball36 36 Cal. Joined Dec 31, Messages 93 Reaction score 0. If you get use to good single triger you may perfer it. Stumpkiller That Other Moderator Staff member. MLF Supporter. A good hunting trigger is not necessarily the best target trigger. I much prefer a single-trigger of a pound or two break over a lighter trigger for deer hunting. John Donelson did a fantastic job of giving Cherry a crisp, no take-up trigger.

I'm usually wearing gloves, or even mittens, and the "quiet" hammer-cock trick is better pulled off with a trigger that sets itself with some authority. My deer rifles are more like shotguns, I guess. Close in "dirty-work" that is often fast and without much warning.

I blew a shot on a huge buck once when I snagged the set trigger prematurely on my Renegade with a "glommit" mittened hand. That soured me to hunting with double-set triggers and it's been about 20 years since I've used one while deer hunting.

And since I target shoot for deer hunting practice I don't have much use for target shooting specialized muzzleloaders. When I'm shooting offhand at a deer it's like the trigger has no weight and the rifle has no recoil, anyway.

Pumping adrenaline, I guess. Swamp Rat said:. Rifleball36 said:. Mad Professor 50 Cal. Joined Aug 20, Messages 1, Reaction score Put a Davis deerslayer replacement trigger in your TC , both the front and rear are sweet to shoot with :thumbsup:.

Joined Sep 15, Messages 2, Reaction score 6. The single triggers if installed properly are very good. I have found that on my flint lock target pistols that the single trigger no creep with proper pull thru works best. I have single set and Dbl. They are very much like shooting the Dbl.

That is why most smooth guns have the single trigger. Herb 54 Cal. Joined Mar 19, Messages 1, Reaction score The stock is inletted for lock and trigger plate.

That inletting on mine placed the pivot pin of that single trigger too far from the lock sear bar, which would have resulted in a heavier pull than I wanted. This made a pull weight of about 2. I like single triggers and have to be careful not to get them too light like 8 ounces. New posts. Search forums. Log in. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.

Thread starter JimSnow Start date Nov 6, Help Support Modern Muzzleloader:. JimSnow Member. Joined Jul 23, Messages 5. Obviously getting off fast shots is more challenging with doubles but I mostly hunt deer here in CO so during the muzzy season they are up high and it is mostly spot and stalk, not a lot of beating the bush or quick shots in the timber. Are the double triggers any more accurate or can the singles on those be tuned if need be or are the triggers already pretty good?

I searched for this but couldn't find what I was looking for, but maybe I didn't use the right search terms. Joined Aug 12, Messages 9, The back trigger only is a set trigger. Say your in a stand and see a deer in the field. You get set up for the shot and want as few things to go wrong, like trigger pull. You cock the hammer pull the back trigger and it makes the front trigger in to almost a hair trigger, so any little pressure on it will fire the rifle.

That does not mean that if your walking along, see a deer suddenly you can not cock the rifle and use only the front trigger. It will still go off. Also on the range the set trigger is a nice feature.

The double trigger models are Renegade. The single trigger models are Renegade Hunters. But I have to admit, the single trigger models have a great trigger. And I take my time, and do everything right. Thanks for the info. Joined May 6, Messages