keeper96 Posted January 22, 2023 Report Share Posted January 22, 2023 I’m still looking to replace my zoli 20b and in my expected budget I can pick up a grade 1 of the B325/425/525 guns or an older B25. what would you guys go for? machine made reliability of the Japanese guns or the hand built quality of the Belgian guns? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted January 22, 2023 Report Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) I seem to remember reading something about the barrels on most B25's not liking any type of steel shot (regardless of choke) - maybe something to look into the way things are going? Edited January 22, 2023 by PeterHenry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 I can’t understand why any B25 won’t ‘like’ steel shot ( after all it shouldn’t come into contact with the barrels ) but I’d still go for a 425/525 personally, from that choice. I had a 325 once; cracking gun but as far as I can recall the barrels aren’t chrome lined? Just thinking the newer models may be easier to clean off the crud from whatever steel shot wads are going to be made of? 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 Hello, what's wrong with the Zoli ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 1 minute ago, oldypigeonpopper said: 1 hour ago, Scully said: I can’t understand why any B25 won’t ‘like’ steel shot ( after all it shouldn’t come into contact with the barrels ) but I’d still go for a 425/525 personally, from that choice. I had a 325 once; cracking gun but as far as I can recall the barrels aren’t chrome lined? Just thinking the newer models may be easier to clean off the crud from whatever steel shot wads are going to be made of? 🤷♂️ Browning stated in their owners guides that they did not recommend the use of steel shot .This was 30 plus years ago when steel was being first used . I have no doubt this was to cover themselves against litigation in the USA for damage , as so many things had warning notices . Cartridges have improved since these warnings were first issued . B25's a great guns but like all now largely out of production guns many spares are getting harder to obtain, of this I have had experience having been involved in the rebuilding and customizing of B25's ,so please do not tell me I can get them from Chambers or Brownells. As with any second hand guns it all comes down to condition ,price and whether the gun feels and looks good . 425's/525's will know doubt look better cosmetically for the money 1 minute ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhawk Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 Hi Why are you not getting on with the zoli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper96 Posted January 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 2 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, what's wrong with the Zoli ?? Nothings wrong with it, I just can’t shoot it! just one of those guns I haven’t clicked with despite persevering. it’s lovely to look at and handle and other people shoot it well but for me it’s a waste sitting in the cabinet 48 minutes ago, bhawk said: Hi Why are you not getting on with the zoli As above mate, It’s a lovely gun but I just haven’t clicked with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylye Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 B25's take a bit more looking after than the modern 425/525's but they are a world apart when it comes to handling and balance. The bores will go orange in the time it takes for you to get home after shooting but its nothing to be concerned about. You can buy a reasonable B2G for £2k and it would be a pleasure to own and shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 1 hour ago, keeper96 said: Nothings wrong with it, I just can’t shoot it! just one of those guns I haven’t clicked with despite persevering. it’s lovely to look at and handle and other people shoot it well but for me it’s a waste sitting in the cabinet As above mate, It’s a lovely gun but I just haven’t clicked with it. Hello, my friend has just bought a 525 Sporter, 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
222mark Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 B25 every time. No comparison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 (edited) Everyday's a school day. Browning are still at it to a certain extent, being that the Crown is a modern built shotgun but designated ‘lead only’ by means of a bright yellow sticker on the barrels! Nephew is having his HP proofed, if he hasn’t already. It will increase its resaleability if nothing else. Edited to add: Nephew has had the work done; Teagued and HP proofed. Another case of once again proving he needn’t have! 🙂 Edited January 23, 2023 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe180 Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 I would go for the Japanese ones,spare parts just fit straight in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 10 hours ago, Scully said: I can’t understand why any B25 won’t ‘like’ steel shot ( after all it shouldn’t come into contact with the barrels ) but I’d still go for a 425/525 personally, from that choice. I had a 325 once; cracking gun but as far as I can recall the barrels aren’t chrome lined? Just thinking the newer models may be easier to clean off the crud from whatever steel shot wads are going to be made of? 🤷♂️ 3 hours ago, Scully said: Everyday's a school day. Browning are still at it to a certain extent, being that the Crown is a modern built shotgun but designated ‘lead only’ by means of a bright yellow sticker on the barrels! Nephew is having his HP proofed, if he hasn’t already. It will increase its resaleability if nothing else. Edited to add: Nephew has had the work done; Teagued and HP proofed. Another case of once again proving he needn’t have! 🙂 I think it was something to do with ring bulges / the steel not being able to cope with the extra pressure - but it might have been because it was on an American forum and their cartridges are a bit hotter than ours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reindeer Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 10 hours ago, Scully said: I can’t understand why any B25 won’t ‘like’ steel shot ( after all it shouldn’t come into contact with the barrels ) but I’d still go for a 425/525 personally, from that choice. I had a 325 once; cracking gun but as far as I can recall the barrels aren’t chrome lined? Just thinking the newer models may be easier to clean off the crud from whatever steel shot wads are going to be made of? 🤷♂️ I own a Miroku 7000 which is technically identical to the B325. The barrels of both guns are indeed not chrome lined but polished to such a high standard mirror finish that cleaning them has never been any issue. Neither did the thousands of steel shot charges that went down my 7000 any harm to the bores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 4 minutes ago, reindeer said: I own a Miroku 7000 which is technically identical to the B325. The barrels of both guns are indeed not chrome lined but polished to such a high standard mirror finish that cleaning them has never been any issue. Neither did the thousands of steel shot charges that went down my 7000 any harm to the bores. I had no problems cleaning my 325 either, whether I used felt wads or plastic. What I was referring to was the possibility of eco-wad materials being more difficuilt to remove, as someone mentioned on one of the relevant threads on here some time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted January 23, 2023 Report Share Posted January 23, 2023 5 hours ago, 222mark said: B25 every time. No comparison Yep my thoughts too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper96 Posted January 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 Despite some advice offered I went with the B25, tried a 425 light weight and a 525 sporter in the shop but they felt too bulky, I could have gotten away with the 525 if it weren’t for the extra weight though. but I’ll use this b25 as long as we’re allowed lead and then it should be good for standard steel with 1/4 choke in both barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylye Posted January 24, 2023 Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 (edited) Enjoy the experience. That's the one from Park Street isn't it? Edited January 24, 2023 by Wylye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dessyb Posted January 24, 2023 Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 what about this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 24, 2023 Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 28 minutes ago, keeper96 said: Despite some advice offered I went with the B25, tried a 425 light weight and a 525 sporter in the shop but they felt too bulky, I could have gotten away with the 525 if it weren’t for the extra weight though. but I’ll use this b25 as long as we’re allowed lead and then it should be good for standard steel with 1/4 choke in both barrels. Very nice. At that choking I’d have no qualms about putting HP through it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper96 Posted January 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 30 minutes ago, dessyb said: what about this Very nice! 22 minutes ago, Scully said: Very nice. At that choking I’d have no qualms about putting HP through it too. Only a 2 3/4 chamber… I believe the HP stuff is all 3”? 35 minutes ago, Wylye said: Enjoy the experience. That's the one from Park Street isn't it? No, it’s the one from Gilsan guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 24, 2023 Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 31 minutes ago, keeper96 said: Only a 2 3/4 chamber… I believe the HP stuff is all 3”? No. Most commercial loads are 2&3/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper96 Posted January 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 41 minutes ago, Scully said: No. Most commercial loads are 2&3/4. Excellent, slightly dubious as to the effectiveness of 1/4 choke on longer stuff but I’ll just have to see what happens 🫣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 24, 2023 Report Share Posted January 24, 2023 1 hour ago, keeper96 said: Excellent, slightly dubious as to the effectiveness of 1/4 choke on longer stuff but I’ll just have to see what happens 🫣 Steel ( due to the enveloping wad ) traditionally patterns tighter, so interesting times ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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