Provided by Scott S

These directions are for installation of the SAV-1 trigger from Rifle Basix, but they are pretty generic for the Savage trigger.

First off, triple check to make sure that the firearm is unloaded. That means no primers, AND no powder charges/bullets in the gun! NEVER trust a mechanical safety. Always treat a gun as if it is loaded, and NEVER point (even inadvertently) the muzzle at anything that you don't want to shoot. More unloaded guns have hurt/killed people than loaded ones! The following instructions should be followed in the sequence in which they are listed.

1) Remove the bolt from the action, and remove the barreled action from the stock. Remove the factory trigger, the weight of pull spring rod, and its adjustment screw. THESE PARTS WILL NOT BE RE-USED. To insure proper safety function, adjust safety tensioning adjustment screw (#2) to cause maximum friction on the safety, while still allowing travel from "SAFE" to "FIRE".


2) SAV-1 Models use a compression spring. Install spring in position 6 over adjustment screw, before installing trigger.

3) Install the Rifle Basix trigger over the pivot pin (#3) and secure with the "C" clip that you removed to remove the factory trigger assembly from the rifle.

4) Adjust sear engagement screw (#5) and weight of pull adjustment screw (#6) for the desired weight of pull. DO NOT attempt to reduce the weight of pull spring pressure beyond safe operating limits. The rifle should remain "cocked" when closing bolt sharply.


5) It should be noted that operation and adjustment of trigger and safety, is identical to the factory units. With the action in "cocked" condition, move the safety to the "SAFE" position and adjust screw (#7) to just touch the safety. Move the safety from "SAFE" to "FIRE" and confirm total travel. With the safety in the "SAFE" position, there should be NO allowable rearward movement of the trigger. If ANY movement can be detected, the adjustment of screw (#7) is not correct, and must be re-adjusted. If for any reason the sear engagement is changed, the safety adjustment screw (#7) MUST be re-adjusted.

6) With the action in the "FIRED" condition, and the safety in the "FIRE" position, adjust the overtravel adjustment screw (#8) to touch the trigger bracket, then turn counter-clockwise 1/8th of a turn.

7) NOTE: Proper and consistent operation of the trigger will rely on keeping the adjustment screws locked in place once the final adjustments are completed. I use the Blue Loctite (service removable) for this. You could use the Green Loctite but NEVER the Red. I also use (sparingly!) Brownells Action Lube Plus P/N 083-050-002 available from www.brownells.com on all of the contact points in the trigger assembly to help keep the trigger smooth.

8) Re-install the barreled action in the stock and CONFIRM complete clearance of the new trigger. I also would strongly recommend double checking to make sure that the trigger and safety works properly. I even went so far as to make sure that the rifle was unloaded, then cocked the gun, put the safety on "SAFE" and bounced the butt of the rifle on the floor to make sure it stayed on "SAFE". Then I did the same thing with the gun on "FIRE" to ensure that the gun wouldn't fire without the trigger being pulled. I also left the gun in the "FIRE" position, and then opened and slammed shut the bolt, again making sure that the gun didn't fire without actually pulling the trigger. I recommend that when you tighten the action screws, that you use an inch-pound torque wrench to maximize the accuracy of your Savage Muzzleloader. You might have to play with the torque settings a bit to see what your individual rifle likes.

9) The design of the Rifle Basix trigger will provide a light pull trigger operation, and will require the firearm to be handled with care. When handling ANY rifle, ALWAYS close bolt slowly and carefully. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction when loading and unloading, and when operating bolt and safety.