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Browning B725 20 gauge


ginge_afc
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  • 5 months later...

This question really interests me, a non-725 owner, as well. The 725 20 guage gets really good reviews and I like the idea behind it, but I worry that its weight, 7 lbs at most, would cause recoil problems, despite the much vaunted, new inflex recoil pad. My worry increases when I think of using the gun for 50+ clays in quick sequence. I see it as only a game gun. Like to be told I'm wrong, however. Also, though it may point easily, does it have the steadiness and momentum of a heavier 12 gauge?

Edited by Cumbrian
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The 725 20b I've got is certainly marketed as a game gun ("hunter"), and I think it's fair to say a clays specialist wouldn't choose it. I've not touched my (beretta) 12 bore for clays since I got the 725 20b though (and i've shot quite a few). It handles beautifully, a quick, well balanced, elegant gun. Great fun to shoot. Mine is 61/2 pounds, and I don't have any recoil issue at all.

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Agreed Pothunter put 95 cartridges thorough my 725 20 bore on clays a month ago,mixture of 24g and 28g hardly know you've fired it, whether it's the inflex pad or the weight of the gun,which i think is fairly heavy for a 20 bore (not sure the weight of it) but certainly very comfortable to shoot. Your right in that a serious clay buster wouldn't choose it but it's great fun to shoot.Cartridges a bit pricey though :sad1: I did put a few express 30g 5 though it on pheasants not many,and you do notice the difference

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Just weighed my Browning 725 20 bore with 32" barrels 7lb 6oz, my Miroku 7000 30" barrels 8lb 2oz. My old english side by side which my father always shot 30g or 32g through (with seemingly no ill affects) 6lb 7oz ! so may be we under estimate what a 20 bore can shoot. Might try some Black Gold 32g or 34g :cry1:

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If you are going to shoot a lot of clays, get some Eley 24 or 21 gram cartridges in either plastic or fibre wad. Reasonably priced clay cartridge with low recoil. I have used 1000's of the 21 gram for Instruction through a 6lbs 2ozs. Beretta 20 bore and had no recoil issues. Both Male and Female shooters aged from around 12 to middle aged Ladies, no probs.

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From another topic on PW earlier this month: "I dont believe Greeners 96:1 ratio was flawed when he published it and I believe it remains completely valid today for what he intended."

I shoot a Cynergy 20bore - and Greeners ratio holds true for that. 28gm is biggest comfortable load for clays (I shoot sporting). Anything heavier can become uncomfortable, anything lighter is a joy, 28 is best of both - but of course it still depends upon you pointing it in the right place. The Cynergy 20bore is a delightful gun. I'd very much like to try a 725 20 bore though. Everything suggests it should be great. If you get one, report back how you get on.

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I brought one in november 2014 i've shot game,pigeons and sporting clays with it, shooting 24g and 28g of various brands and some express 30g on some good pheasant and partridge and absolutely love it. Easy to carry on a game day great fun on clays. Incidentally i patterned it against my 12 bore and the 28g loads were very similar choke for choke in fibre wad at 30m+ but a fair bit tighter in plastic wads, gamebore 24g & 28g then hull 28g in 6s threw the best patterns really good on game, never felt under gunned. Not cheap at just under £2000 but hopefully hold there money second hand. Now my favorite gun

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Well I got to hadle one at Hodnet today. The 32" left hand POW version. Just WOW ! fit like a glove and for a gun with 32" barrels was so pointable and light. Wood work was a bit plain Jayne but shape wise spot on. Engraving looked better in the flesh but could be better (just my pet hate about this gun ) Would I buy one ? Trying to find a reason not to .

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 5 months later...

I also own one of these in 32" barrel format. Weighs 7lb 3oz . semi pistol stock (pow). Would prefer it if they made a Sporter version like they distribute in the USA but without porting the barrels and 32", but we do not have it here yet and who knows as Browning UK customer service is the worst ever. The action is far better built and sturdier than the Caesar Geurini Essex Sporter 32" that i used to own with great customer service i might add. The Caesar Geurini out classed this Browning 725 for shooting either game or clays and in looks in MOP, but it does costs a little more. Also the Browning stock semi pistol (pow) has a strange angular setting with the stock shooting the gun flat when it is away from the face cheek,which makes it impossible to mount the gun the same place every time (idiots). It gives the old English game gun sight picture which does not work. I shoot 38mm and 58mm drop @ the comb and heel. My 725 is 36mm and 56mm and its still low and away from my face,so must be the angle of the stock design. This is a big issue for me, i could put something over the comb to build up to my cheek piece or have it quenched in oil and pulled up which i would rather not do, or fit a center bead to find a sit picture, em not really very good . I would prefer if mine weighed 7lb 6oz like commented above. Alot of the gunmakers like to keep to scale when building their small gauges and keep them light like little whips and they don't shoot very well at all and are unusable. As a X international shooter i know what works and what does not, a lot of young and middle age men use 20 bore's,these days. For women well it could be a different thing, which happen to like the 20 bore as they are light and don't recoil to badly and not to heavy for them to maneuver.( Maybe build a male and female version. (Just Joking ) A sporter version 32" is required in the UK asap in MOP.

I do think though the engraving on this 725 is a bit poor and to be so similar on both sides of the action gives it a strange look and not very well thought out. The Beretta Silver Pigeon Deluxe 32" o/u 20 bore has a better stock design and engraving by far, but its only weighs about 6lb 5oz which is not of any use to me which is unfortunate as it does look a lot better in my view and is more expensive which is a shame. Back to the drawing board ? with both of them. ( THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION ) Though talking to a lots of good shots AA class,and all shooting my 20 bore we all seem to agree. On the pattern plate. @ 15 yards point of impact was the strangest thing ever. when the stock was at the cheek it shot higher (how) when the stock was lower away from my cheek it shot perfect. this deifies the law of physics. (How) If the back of the stock comes up higher to the face cheek the barrels must go down @ the front thus shooting lower. this was not the case it shoots higher must be something to do with the stock angle at a guess or the angle cut to fit the reflex recoil pad. I would appreciate if anyone could throw some light on this for me. I have spoken to a couple of gunsmiths with no explanation as yet, to why. I just want it to shoot where i am looking 60/40 as it will help a great deal. Anyone else found this with theirs i would like to know. All the best to you PW members.

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