Rifle fires unexpectedly: Trigger or Bolt problem?

[lkhanson]

Was elk hunting this last weekend and thought I spotted a coyote popping up over the crest of a hill. Grabbed my 7mm RUM Sendero SF and got in a prone position with Stony Point Bipod. Snow was too deep and needed to go back to the truck to get my backpack. Set up on backpack and got one of the bullets from my side-carrier bullet holder and fed it into the action and proceeded to close the bolt. Rifle was pointed downrange toward (but not at) the coyote, and the bolt was tough to close. I put more pressure on closing the bolt, and, as I pushed the bolt all the way down, the rifle went off.

The trigger on the rifle is a factory trigger, but, set to less than 2.5 pounds (by the guy from whom I bought the rifle). I'm not sure of the exact weight - it could be around 1 lb. It's pretty light...

Also inspecting the other bullets, it looked like ice had formed around the tips of the 180 Bergers (the ends of the bullets had gotten in the snow when I went to prone position, and, I'm guessing there was ice on the end of the one I fed into the chamber, and didn't notice it - It was about -3 degrees outside vs. 75 degrees in the truck where I had my rifle).

Obviously I should have:
a) Just fed one of the bullets I had in the magazine
b) Noticed the ice on the edge of my bullets

However, my question is:

Would a 'block' of that sort (such as ice) on a bullet that would not allow the bolt to close properly be enough to pressure to cause the trigger to release? If so, is it because of how light the pull is on the trigger? If I set the trigger to be a higher pound pull, would that stop it from happening in the future?

I tried to replicate the problem by opening and closing the bolt on an empty champer to see if the trigger would discharge - it didn't. So, I put in a live round (no ice) and fed it in and closed the bolt several times. Nothing happened. I inspected the bullet casing of the cartridge that discharged - I didn't see anything unusual.

Or, could it be a problem with the bolt? I did have the factory bolt's boltface 'lathed' by the gunsmith so that it would be perfectly flat (the gunsmith said that the outside edge was not even with the center).

I'm thinking that I should get the trigger adjusted back to 3 lbs (or at least 2.5) as it's a potential dangerous situation. The only thing worse than not being confident in your rifle's accuracy is not being confident in your rifle's safety.

Comments? Suggestions?

P.S. The lucky coyote boogied out of there on the report.

[TomJr]

Try slamming your bolt closed why your rifle is unloaded try this several times and make sure the trigger is holding. Another way is to cock your bolt and gently tap the but stock against the floor and see if it holds. I would bet your problem is in the trigger itself. The ice on the case would explain the hard to close bolt but it still shouldn't have fired. If the firing pin does not hold doing this then you need to reset your trigger. Most rem can be set down but most become unsafe around 2 to 2.5 lbs. If you want a excellent trigger that can be set lower look at a Jewel trigger for it. I would have it checked out before firing it again just to be sure but it sounds like to light of a trigger to me. Hope this helps some.

[reloader]

I am asuming the safety was off when you closed the bolt.

I Have two Rem 7mm RUM's in the sendero factory steup.
I have adjusted the trigers on both rifles, the one I hunt with , triger breaks at around 22 ounces and the one I let my son use breaks at 32 ounces. and have never had this happen.

Also have a Rem 700 Muzzle loader that I adjusted triger on and had a similar thing happen in which the adjustment was made in summer months and was hunting in temp around upper teens to low twentys. Bolt was closed and when flipped safety off it would have discharged if there had been a cap on it. I readjusted that triger a little heavier and have never had that problem since.
I believe in my case it was a result of the contraction of the metal in the triger mechanisim in the colder temp in contrast to where it had been adjusted very light ( Too Light ) in warm temp.

[lkhanson]

TomJr: I will try the tapping the butt of the rifle against the floor after cocking the trigger - I tried the slamming the bolt closed to no ill effect. But, I think I have my mind made up that I want to have a safe trigger in my rifle regardless of the pull weight (I don't plan on having anything less than one lb). I'm taking it to a gunsmith this week to have it checked out, regardless (I'll have him adjust the trigger pull weight to 2.5 lbs as well).

You recommended a Jewel trigger. I've heard that some people have had issues with creep with them. Have you had that experience? I was thinking either a Jewell or Timney trigger. I've read arguments on both sides, and I'm guessing it's like people arguing about which is better - a Model 70 action or a Model 700 action.

[lkhanson]

Reloader: Thanks for the info on your Sendero lb weight. Yes, the safety was off when I closed the bolt. I cycled the bolt when in 'fire' to put a round in the chamber, then I generally put the rifle back on Safety until I'm ready to squeeze the trigger. I don't have my rifle with me as I'm typing this post (I'm at work - and they might frown on me bringing a firearm into the office) but if I remember correctly, the rifle has to be on 'fire' to cycle the bolt. I'm not sure, so I'll double-check that when I get home (the Sendero SF also has that locking J-hook key, and, I might be confusing the cycle of the bolt on Safe with the J-lock engaged and cycling...).

That, too, is kind of disconcerting with your muzzleloader. I'm glad that setting the trigger weight to more lb seemed to ensure that it didn't happen again. I will contact the guy I bought the rifle from to find out what the pull weight is. But, regardless, I will get a new trigger installed (per my previous post) before I go up on my Montana buffalo hunt this year.

[oklarcher]

One common mistake people make when adjusting factory remington triggers is not putting anything on the screws to lock them into place after making adjustments. You might check your screws. Factory remington triggers come with glue over the screws to keep them from moving from vibration from shooting. I use finger nail polish to glue the screws after making adjustments. I had a 7mm ultra mag i bought from a friend that did the same thing and it was from not locking the trigger adjustment srews after making some adjustments to the trigger. I readjusted the trigger and locked the screws and solved the problem.

[lkhanson]

Thanks oklarcher - I will definitely check the screws. Good to know / good trick for locking the screws back in place. It wouldn't surprise me if that was the issue - I don't believe the previous owner knew about locking the screws back in place.

[lkhanson]

I just talked with the gunsmith - he indicated that the overtravel stop screw had been adjusted way past the safe parameters. He glued the sear engagement screw and staked in the other screws and set the pull to 3 1/2 lbs.

This will be good enough for my upcoming buffalo hunt, but, I will get a Jewell trigger before next hunting season.

He also indicated that the head space is a little tight for the bullets, but didn't think that would have caused the misfire.

Again, thanks for the previous comments.

Leif

[tnhunter]

worked on the trigger in my 300 rum sendero II came at almose 9 pounds. got to about 3 1/2 pounds passed all bump test and closing the bolt hard but about once ever 20 rounds when you closed the bolt it would go off. adjusted the trigger and made it about 4 pounds and not had the problem since.

[lonehill1882]

I fully agree with OKLARCHER. I had a Savage 300 win mag once that would occasionally fire upon closing the bolt even though the trigger pull was horrid, around 4 lbs. That will wake you up first thing in the AM! Upon close inspection, the trigger had been filed.
Trigger screws will definitely back off without locker. I have a Sendero 7mm Rem mag that has a trigger adjusted so light that if you TOUCH it, it'll fire (around 1 lb with no creep, breaks like glass!). Have had no problems with it yet with temp differences or bumping or slamming the bolt shut. Safety first though!

[lkhanson]

I went to Montana after my trigger work was completed, and I didn't have any problems on a bison. There were no misfires or anything, thankfully. I'll still be putting in a new Jewell trigger, but, at least I know (cross fingers) that my days of the rifle unexpectedly going off are over!

[bearhntr]

You mentioned a little creep with the jewl triggers. I personally think that a little creep is not that bad. Now if there is a lot then I don't like it. I like just a little creep because when I am getting ready to make the shot I know that I have a little before I do. This helps me from jerking the trigger. A 1 lb trigger on a hunting rig seams too light for me. There are to many variables when out in the field. I am glad to see you were able to get the problem fixed with your gun smith.

[lonehill1882]

I know 1 lb seems a little light on a hunting rig, but a LONG shot requires as little movement as possible. I want to be able to cradle that thing like a baby. Ample scope eye relief is a must though. I'm not one to complain about an excellent, crisp trigger on a bargain rifle. It's been safe thus far, but safety...ALWAYS safety I wouldn't ever allow this rig in the hands of an unsafe, inexperienced young hunter.