Cumbrian Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 As per title. Would be very grateful to learn what others think of this particular model. I like the look of it very much i.e. the traditional chevron checkering on grip and fore end, as distinct from that on the standard 725 sporter, and the semi-pistol grip shape. (Had been considering the 20 gauge version but can't quite reconcile myself to 20 gauge cartridges and their expense, esp. when I have a stock of 12 gauge cartridges for game shooting.) Seems to weigh in at quite a few ounces less than the sporter models, but Mark Stone in his Gunmart review declared that the 30 inch version felt a bit barrel heavy and therefore slow to swing, so he was inclined to recommend the 28 inches version for game shooting. I would like to use it for clay as well and am used only to 30 inch sporters, so I'm a bit wary of 28 inches. Your views and experiences - even indirect ones - much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pothunter Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I've got the 20 bore with 30" barrels and it's a lovely, elegant, quick handling gun to shoot. If he thinks it's barrel-heavy, he's wrong; it's beautifully balanced. Mine is the hunter premium with the G3 wood for little or no extra money. Thoroughly recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Posted June 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Thank you, Pothunter. Should have been explicit that it was the 12 gauge version I was considering this time round. The 20 gauge does indeed get very good opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning 425 clay hunter Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I was caught looking at one in the shop at hodnet and they very kindly offered it to me for the remIning 50 clays of my day. Absolutely loved it, the fit, the swelled palm grip and the overall balance of the gun. Plus 3" chamber so one gun will do for any purpose. Good luck. ATB 425 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pothunter Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Thank you, Pothunter. Should have been explicit that it was the 12 gauge version I was considering this time round. The 20 gauge does indeed get very good opinions. I thought from your tone you were maybe slightly still looking to be convinced about the cartridge cost? I only switched to 20b within the last 12 months and I shoot a lot of cartridges, so I do notice the difference and I'm still not quite used to it. On the other hand, though, if you think of the marginal extra cost of 20b cartridges (maybe 2p each?) as a proportion of the total cost of shooting (several 1000s a year in my case, which I doubt is unusual), it will be an extremely tiny number. Yet the difference shooting the right 20 over a 12 can make to your enjoyment of shooting can be massive. It certainly has been for be. I too have quite a big stock of 12b cartridges lying untouched since I bought the 20. Neither the small marginal extra cost of the 20b cartridges or the as yet unused 12b cartridges anything like negates the extra pleasure I'm getting from the 20b. If you're inclined to it otherwise, I definitely wouldn't rule it out just on cartridge grounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorismyhero Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I have one and use it both on clays and for walked up.... lovely gun 30" barrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I too have the 20 bore version and though it is not the one you are looking at I'm sure they are similarly made. I have to say I love mine, the trigger is spot on and the looks as near perfect in my eyes as it comes. Just my opinion as I have mentioned else ware I'm not totally sold on the style of engraving but in the flesh it is better than in photographs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I have just picked up a new browning 725 sporter last week great gun for the money I got the 28 inch barrels just felt a little bit better than the 30 inch barrels shot with it yesterday and shot really well comes up nice great all round gun for clays pigeons and a bit of pheasant shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pothunter Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I too have the 20 bore version and though it is not the one you are looking at I'm sure they are similarly made. I have to say I love mine, the trigger is spot on and the looks as near perfect in my eyes as it comes. Just my opinion as I have mentioned else ware I'm not totally sold on the style of engraving but in the flesh it is better than in photographs . Yes, I don't like the engraving either. It doesn't bother me though. The wood is lovely; it's reasonably well made and beautifully proportioned; but what I love about it is how it handles. It's a great gun to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeaceFrog Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 I've got the sporter 30" but I had a test drive with the hunter before buying and loved it. I traded in my Silver Pigeon for it because it fit me better and felt better to shoot (and you'd hope so for 400 more). There's a real sense of quality in the mechanisms of the gun; opening and closing the action feels solid and smooth. However I think that the cosmetics of the gun weren't as nice as the Beretta, the chequering on the forend and the stock are rougher in my opinion and the finish on the side of the chamber is not jewelled (but mine is the sporter). I don't really mind too much about the cosmetic stuff though just because the gun is so nice to shoot, I didn't really understand what people meant by the term 'good handling' in reference to a shotgun until I got my B725 (; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Yes, I don't like the engraving either. It doesn't bother me though. The wood is lovely; it's reasonably well made and beautifully proportioned; but what I love about it is how it handles. It's a great gun to shoot. I can't argue with that, Just love it. There may well be a very unused left hand EVO with stunning wood work up for sale soon !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygreengrass Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 I got the 725 sporter 28 inch 12 gauge use for game and clays nicely balanced gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Posted June 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Many thanks to all that have responded. Very helpful, as usual on PW. Must look again at 20 gauge possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade722 Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 I have the B725 12G, and I absolutely love it. This is my first gun (although I've been shooting clays and occasionally game for years), and as such I thoroughly researched all the options as I'm quite fastidious like that. I looked at the entry level options from Beretta, Miroku, CG and Browning. I thought I was leaning towards the 690 Field III, until I found the 725. Beretta claim that their steelium barrels are lighter than ever, but when I did a side by side comparison with the 725, I could barely notice the difference. I'm 6'2" so went for the 30" barrels, and find that it's plenty fast enough in the shoulder. I went for the Grade 5 as I really like the engraving on the gun and think that together with the wood quality it looks absolutely spectacular. I've already won a charity clay shoot with it and will be using it on game as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Really really love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycho Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) I've got the 30 hunter and its a lovely gun nice and smooth very point able light compared to some others I would recommend one of these to anyone it is an improved 525 and a delight to shoot I would not exchange mine for a 28 barral even if you paid me Edited June 17, 2015 by psycho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 I've got the 30 hunter and its a lovely gun nice and smooth very point able light compared to some others I would recommend one of these to anyone it is an improved 525 and a delight to shoot I would not exchange mine for a 28 barral even if you paid me That's good to hear. Thank you. I have two 325s, which I like and I think highly of their build quality, but the 725 does sound as though it is an improvement in several ways. Pity it has been priced way above the 525, which of course continues to be made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterBen Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Hi .ive got a 725 black sporter, great gun.whent to buy a 725 hunter last week came home with a new 525 sporter .i wanted a game gun but the sporter is better balanced and better engraving than the 725 unless you buy the grade 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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