Bear68 Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 I'm tempted by a Browning B25 built in 1977. It's choked 1/4 and 3/4. Browning's website advises not to use steel shot in any of their older fixed choke guns. Is this merely because many are tighter than the recommended maximum of 1/2 choke, or is more to do with other issues (choke profile etc.)? It's a nice looking gun but I'd be happier knowing that opening the tighter choke would futureproof it. Any advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Get it the 3/4 bored out to 1/2 and use standard steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 keep using lead till you cant . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Look on the Browning website. All of the information is on there. I recently sold my B2G after reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 There are those people who will assimilate all of the information (lots is available) and then get on and enjoy older guns. The rest will believe all of the poor reports and not bother. There appears to be no in between stance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 Bloke in our syndicate has a custom built B25 from 1947, he intends to put steel through it. No idea of it’s choke but I’m assuming 1/4 and 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear68 Posted November 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 Thanks all. These older Browning's certainly look good value at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 33 minutes ago, Bear68 said: Thanks all. These older Browning's certainly look good value at the moment. hello, they are considering the cost new back when the B25 A1 was the main gun from Browning, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 You’ll be fine with a standard 70mm 32g steel 4/5 shot . If he’s worried he can get Teague to bore the 3/4 to 1/4 and send the gun to be steel re proved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 Quote Look on the Browning website. All of the information is on there A link would help. Had a look and couldn't find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPhantom Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 2 minutes ago, Gordon R said: A link would help. Had a look and couldn't find it. https://www.browning.com/support/faq/shoot-steel-shot.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigroomboy Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 Just be aware that is you ask advice from a manufacturer they will take a very risk averse position. Even if they are 99.99% sure the barrels would handle standard steel, they don't know what has happened to the gun since sold and would be opening them selves to huge liability. I'll give you my data point of one. 2003 Miroku MK60 taken out from 1/4 & 3/4 to 1/4 & 3/8. Many standard steel pro ecowad no3s zero issues. I would also say there is no point in reproofing even if teague keep insisting. You already own the gun so you already own the risk of damage = pointless £150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 MrPhantom - thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 22 hours ago, Bear68 said: I'm tempted by a Browning B25 built in 1977. It's choked 1/4 and 3/4. Browning's website advises not to use steel shot in any of their older fixed choke guns. Is this merely because many are tighter than the recommended maximum of 1/2 choke, or is more to do with other issues (choke profile etc.)? It's a nice looking gun but I'd be happier knowing that opening the tighter choke would futureproof it. Any advice would be appreciated. If you open the 3/4 to 1/2 Standard steel fine if u like the Gun buy it My friend opened a older browning to 1/2 1/2 for ducks steel shot fine in it 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 24, 2023 Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 5 hours ago, bigroomboy said: Just be aware that is you ask advice from a manufacturer they will take a very risk averse position. Even if they are 99.99% sure the barrels would handle standard steel, they don't know what has happened to the gun since sold and would be opening them selves to huge liability. I'll give you my data point of one. 2003 Miroku MK60 taken out from 1/4 & 3/4 to 1/4 & 3/8. Many standard steel pro ecowad no3s zero issues. I would also say there is no point in reproofing even if teague keep insisting. You already own the gun so you already own the risk of damage = pointless £150. Just to say, Teague will not accept a gun for Teaguing or opening of chokes without submitting for reproofing, as their insurers won’t allow them to do so. I know this because I’ve asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigroomboy Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 8 hours ago, Scully said: Just to say, Teague will not accept a gun for Teaguing or opening of chokes without submitting for reproofing, as their insurers won’t allow them to do so. I know this because I’ve asked. Scully, they did mine but it took some convincing. Multi choking requires reproof by law. Opening up a choke does not and in the case of opening to use steel shot serves no purpose as I said above and Teague should be providing better advise to their customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 3 hours ago, bigroomboy said: Scully, they did mine but it took some convincing. Multi choking requires reproof by law. Opening up a choke does not and in the case of opening to use steel shot serves no purpose as I said above and Teague should be providing better advise to their customers. I’ll have to enquire then, because I asked them to chop and replace the bead on one of my shotguns, stating I wouldn’t require it reproofing as I had no intention of selling it, and that if I ever changed my mind I could always either submit it then or simply ‘gift’ it. I was told their insurers insisted on reproofing. I didn’t bother. Given that the proofing process consists of proofing at the chamber, with nothing more than powder, and nothing more than burning residue passes through the muzzles, one can only consider this to be a money making exercise. 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 2 hours ago, Scully said: Given that the proofing process consists of proofing at the chamber, with nothing more than powder, and nothing more than burning residue passes through the muzzles, one can only consider this to be a money making exercise. 🤷♂️ Interesting. If the process uses only powder and no weight in front of it then how is the pressure generated? I assumed, rightly or wrongly, that the heap of sand which I noticed in the proof chamber during my visit to the proof house was to stop the shot. Dunno? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) 17 minutes ago, London Best said: Interesting. If the process uses only powder and no weight in front of it then how is the pressure generated? I assumed, rightly or wrongly, that the heap of sand which I noticed in the proof chamber during my visit to the proof house was to stop the shot. Dunno? It was my understanding that a 'load' was also used, but I'm not 100% sure and can't find any description covering 'proof load', but I did find this re black powder proof; The British used the “service” proof for both Military (in House) and also commercial ( Proof Houses…London and Birmingham, for those guns “in trade”; Over-proof testing was done statistically on Military rifles in House. (in later years). As to Black powder barrel proofing, two methods were used, often in combination…finer grain Powder charges, instead of the standard, coarser charge, and heavier (or several) Lead projectiles (for the Muzzle loaders, and also for cartridge Guns.) I also don't see how pressure (of the correct magnitude for proof) is attained with no load? Edited November 25, 2023 by JohnfromUK Addded quotes section in italics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Assuming that the legislation does go ahead and there's nothing available that matches steel in price, then the closer we get to the effective change date and push comes to shove somebody - no, it'll be plural - some folk are going to get hurt. The shooting associations should realise this fact and ensure that the Government are aware of this so that sufficient appropriate guidance can be published. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) hello, i often thought of getting a vintage Browning for pigeon shooting but need one no more than 6.5 llbs, 26/28 inch barrels and 14. 1/4 inch Lop . i would expect fixed chokes so nothing overly choked. Edited November 25, 2023 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 2 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said: hello, i often thought of getting a vintage Browning for pigeon shooting but need one no more than 6.5 llbs, 26/28 inch barrels and 14. 1/4 inch Lop . i would expect fixed chokes so nothing overly choked. It’s not vintage unless it’s older than you are 😂😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 3 minutes ago, Old farrier said: It’s not vintage unless it’s older than you are 😂😂😂😂 hello, do i need to look for a retired Browning ??, 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 28 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said: hello, do i need to look for a retired Browning ??, 😆 I’m pretty sure you do it’ll have creaky joints and only want to work half the day 😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, London Best said: Interesting. If the process uses only powder and no weight in front of it then how is the pressure generated? I assumed, rightly or wrongly, that the heap of sand which I noticed in the proof chamber during my visit to the proof house was to stop the shot. Dunno? Then I may well be wrong, but was led to believe no shot passes through the muzzle. 🤷♂️ Will do some digging. Ive mentioned before, that if steel shot proofing consisted of passing a certain load through a certain constriction, we wouldn’t be playing the guessing game we currently are. Just a thought. Edited November 25, 2023 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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