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Browning 325 and steel shot


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Hi all, I'm looking to do a season of wildfowling this year and was concerned as to whether it was safe or not to fire steel through my browning 325, I realise the barrels are not lined like the 525 and need a fair bit "o" maintenance. Anyway I found this on the Browning website http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qn...tail.asp?id=128 but not sure as a newbie where my 325 fits in. Thanks in advance for any advice help.

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The B325 was replaced by the B425 in the mid 1990's I think. So your gun is getting on a bit and is "pre-steel". You will be limited by the proofing and chamber length. In short the answer is "yes , you can fire steel", I believe. I'd advise you to pop in with the gun to Wymondham Sporting Guns and have a word with Chris and he will advise you on the shells you can/ cannot use.

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The B325 was replaced by the B425 in the mid 1990's I think. So your gun is getting on a bit and is "pre-steel". You will be limited by the proofing and chamber length. In short the answer is "yes , you can fire steel", I believe. I'd advise you to pop in with the gun to Wymondham Sporting Guns and have a word with Chris and he will advise you on the shells you can/ cannot use.

 

Thanks for the reply whitebridges, I shall pop in and see chris when I get a chance.... nobody seems to know if its 100% safe, not even browning will be "crystal clear" on it, seeing as there not lined I might just pick up a cheap semi.... I need it for wildfowling so I maybe I'll be better off with a "cheapy" escort?!?!

Edited by B525 Sporter
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Thanks for the reply whitebridges, I shall pop in and see chris when I get a chance.... nobody seems to know if its 100% safe, not even browning will be "crystal clear" on it, seeing as there not lined I might just pick up a cheap semi.... I need it for wildfowling so I maybe I'll be better off with a "cheapy" escort?!?!

 

I had a 325 for a while, wish i'd kept it...........hindsight's a wonderful thing :)

 

If you use yours for 'fowling you can use the lighter steel loads ie. 32g but use no tighter than half choke. You can't use magnum loads, (though as most are 3"/3.5" they'd be too big for the chambers of your gun, which should be 2 3/4"). If i remember correctly my 325 was proofed to 3 1/4 tons (900kg) and a simple check on the side of a box of steel cartridges should tell you what the proof pressure of your gun should be to use them safely.

Be prepared for PLENTY of cleaning though, as the older Brownings are prone to rusting!!

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Thanks for the reply whitebridges, I shall pop in and see chris when I get a chance.... nobody seems to know if its 100% safe, not even browning will be "crystal clear" on it, seeing as there not lined I might just pick up a cheap semi.... I need it for wildfowling so I maybe I'll be better off with a "cheapy" escort?!?!

 

No problem. You will be able to shoot steel safely. You will however be very limited on the shells you can shoot. You might find this handicap unacceptable? I dunno what grade your B325 is? It will be susceptible to salt water ( if you mean you are 'fowling on the marsh) and you might not want to go there. There are a lot of fans of the Escort on here. They are pretty functional it seems. Have a look , Chris has them in stock.

Edited by Whitebridges
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  • 3 years later...

I had a 325 for a while, wish i'd kept it...........hindsight's a wonderful thing dry.gif

 

If you use yours for 'fowling you can use the lighter steel loads ie. 32g but use no tighter than half choke. You can't use magnum loads, (though as most are 3"/3.5" they'd be too big for the chambers of your gun, which should be 2 3/4"). If i remember correctly my 325 was proofed to 3 1/4 tons (900kg) and a simple check on the side of a box of steel cartridges should tell you what the proof pressure of your gun should be to use them safely.

Be prepared for PLENTY of cleaning though, as the older Brownings are prone to rusting!!

I still have my 325 :good: However I kick my self once in a while about selling the grade 6 325 with 32" barrels :sad1:

TEH

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My 325 has the old invector choke system. The plastic tubes that the chokes came in had stickers on saying what they were in lead and in steel. Without going and checking I think anything tighter than 1/2 was not suitable for steel.

 

The gun has 30" barrels with 2 3/4" chambers (no Fleur de lys mark) which means standard steel only.

 

Hope this helps.

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  • 3 years later...

No gun in America is proofed so they shoot all sorts through them. If it was mine and not worth a great deal I'd shoot any steel I wanted through the right choke and chamber length. If it's a high grade or has a value to you just buy some bismuth carts and enjoy at around a pound a pop they're not that expensive for the amount of shots most of take in a flight or two.

 

Edit to say you could send it for steel proof and it would probably pass with flying colours so if in good condition enjoy shooting some steel.

Edited by figgy
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  • 4 years later...

In Europe and UK the Browning B325 utilizes the Invector choke technology, and these choke tubes are shipped with the gun when new. If you examine the chokes you will find that the more open chokes are clearly rated for steel shot. Browning would not add steel shot approval to any part of their hardware which is falsely identified as compliant i.e. for steel shoot use. 

So, the use of steel shot in Invector specification guns appear to be "steel shot approved" by Browning by virtue of their own specification.

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