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Browning Cynergy 20-bore

Browning Cynergy 20-bore

If ever a shotgun’s been fiddled about with - without justification - it’s Browning’s Cynergy. The one thing they never got right though was trying to pass it off as a game gun when it was blatantly obvious it natural habitat was the clay ground. Sorry, but for me a game gun should look exactly that, like it was conceived for driven game, not a hybrid.

Stocks and Shares  

Irrespective of whether it’s the 20-bore seen here or the larger 12, the one aspect of Browning’s Cynergy action was its radical departure from the B25 and its numerous variants. But where the looks of the more conventional Cynergys have visually precluded them from formal game days, the new Game or Hunter versions have now rectified matters. Tradition truly has met technology to produce a live quarry shotgun that’s both affordable and extremely usable.

Gone is the trademark ‘Inflex’ recoil pad, instead a conventional Browning butt plate rounds off the well figured and traditionally chequered Grade 3 stock, with the quality and finish carried onto the Schnable tipped, Anson-latched forend. The action remains the same as the competition version with the exception of the now familiar Cynergy name and logo. Instead ducks and partridge adorn either side, a fine spaniel’s head on the base, the whole encased in panels of acanthus leaf and scroll. Equally the trigger guard, still the exact same oversized style, but now with delicate floral relief surrounding Browning’s familiar ‘Buckmark’ insignia.

Dimensionally the stock will more than likely suit all comers; a drop at comb and heel of 1 3/8th and 2 3/8th combined with a pull measurement of 14¾”. As if to accentuate these near universal aspects, a superbly predictable trigger weight of 8lbs 1oz eradicates any form of snatch, Browning once again emphasising their abilities when it comes to mechanisms. One interesting point though is that for a game gun the safety catch remains manual, something certain dedicated bird shooters could find marginally detrimental, especially if the Cynergy was to be purchased for a novice.

Pipe Dream

Housed within the Cynergy’s simplistic monobloc, its 3” chambers allows the use of virtually any 20-bore cartridge. Complete with a vented mid and 5 mm top rib, the gloss black 28” barrels favour those of their competitive counterparts. Flaring infinitesimally towards the muzzles to accommodate the multi-chokes, the gentle stepping of the top rib from atop the chambers straightforwardly guides the shooter’s eye along the stippled surface and onwards to the chosen target. Equally the profile of the comb ensures ideal alignment nearly every time. 

Same But Different

story continues below...

Existing Cynergy users won’t especially notice any great difference between the game versions when compared to the competition variants. Most obvious are the flush fitting multi-chokes that decrease the muzzle weight slightly and the substitution of the high visibility bead for a more conventional captive white lozenge. Similarly the trigger blade, which is noticeably wide and fixed in position, although width and curvature are ideally proportioned to accommodate gloved fingers.

Shot initially around two squads of Coniston SG’s Skeet and loaded up with Express Super 20’s, the general feel and handling of the 20 bore Cynergy rapidly inspired confidence in both its and my abilities. Tipping the scales at an evenly distributed 7lbs 2ozs the gun’s overall mass ensures that although it remains buoyant and fluid during mount and swing, the shooter always enjoys full and flexible control.

Skeet and ESP scores were more than respectable, whilst the recoil from the hard hitting Express cartridges verged on negligible. Likewise choke choice meant only Cylinder, ¼ and ½ were required, even on the longest birds. Considered by some to be hardly worth mentioning, I found the new game version of the Cynergy shows a vastly improved forend. Slightly fuller and rounder, the design to my mind is substantially better, as it appreciably enhances feel and direction for the leading hand.

Balanced as it is the Cynergy 20-bore also promotes a slightly different technique if so desired. Besides the normal method of seeing your target, swinging onto it before pulling through and firing, you can readily deploy this game gun as a tool to pluck birds from the air. So deftly does it mount and acquire, you can virtually wait until the last moment before bringing it to your shoulder, with muzzles instantly on line and firing in one easy fluid motion. If shot this way you immediately acquire the apparent ease oft associated with this smaller gauge, whilst significantly reducing perceived and actual effort.

Game On

Slim and low line the Cynergy action is one of the most diminutive in production giving the user a near unrivalled view of the target. Similarly as a 20-bore when combined with quality loads, the handling and performance is not only the equal of most 12-bores; but often superior!

Correspondingly, besides the Grade 3 offering seen here, a more economically priced Grade 1 is available, though my personal choice, is the more ornate Grade 5, which really looks the business. Mechanically identical behind the furniture and engraving, for anyone unsure about the abilities of a smaller gauge shotgun, the 20-bore Cynergy will quickly convince you as a near ideal, lightweight, hard hitting game gatherer.
 
We Reckon!

• At last, Browning have got it right
• A 20-bore that thinks it’s a 12
• Tradition and technology perfectly melded together

PRICE: £1,474

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Browning Cynergy 20-bore Game
  • Calibre: 20-bore
  • Barrels : 28”
  • Multi chokes: Y
  • Chamber: 3”
  • Weight: 8lb 1oz

Browning Cynergy 20-bore

Browning Cynergy 20-bore

If ever a shotgun’s been fiddled about with - without justification - it’s Browning’s Cynergy. The one thing they never got right though was trying to pass it off as a game gun when it was blatantly obvious it natural habitat was the clay ground. Sorry, but for me a game gun should look exactly that, like it was conceived for driven game, not a hybrid.

Stocks and Shares  

Irrespective of whether it’s the 20-bore seen here or the larger 12, the one aspect of Browning’s Cynergy action was its radical departure from the B25 and its numerous variants. But where the looks of the more conventional Cynergys have visually precluded them from formal game days, the new Game or Hunter versions have now rectified matters. Tradition truly has met technology to produce a live quarry shotgun that’s both affordable and extremely usable.

Gone is the trademark ‘Inflex’ recoil pad, instead a conventional Browning butt plate rounds off the well figured and traditionally chequered Grade 3 stock, with the quality and finish carried onto the Schnable tipped, Anson-latched forend. The action remains the same as the competition version with the exception of the now familiar Cynergy name and logo. Instead ducks and partridge adorn either side, a fine spaniel’s head on the base, the whole encased in panels of acanthus leaf and scroll. Equally the trigger guard, still the exact same oversized style, but now with delicate floral relief surrounding Browning’s familiar ‘Buckmark’ insignia.

Dimensionally the stock will more than likely suit all comers; a drop at comb and heel of 1 3/8th and 2 3/8th combined with a pull measurement of 14¾”. As if to accentuate these near universal aspects, a superbly predictable trigger weight of 8lbs 1oz eradicates any form of snatch, Browning once again emphasising their abilities when it comes to mechanisms. One interesting point though is that for a game gun the safety catch remains manual, something certain dedicated bird shooters could find marginally detrimental, especially if the Cynergy was to be purchased for a novice.

Pipe Dream

Housed within the Cynergy’s simplistic monobloc, its 3” chambers allows the use of virtually any 20-bore cartridge. Complete with a vented mid and 5 mm top rib, the gloss black 28” barrels favour those of their competitive counterparts. Flaring infinitesimally towards the muzzles to accommodate the multi-chokes, the gentle stepping of the top rib from atop the chambers straightforwardly guides the shooter’s eye along the stippled surface and onwards to the chosen target. Equally the profile of the comb ensures ideal alignment nearly every time. 

Same But Different

story continues below...

Existing Cynergy users won’t especially notice any great difference between the game versions when compared to the competition variants. Most obvious are the flush fitting multi-chokes that decrease the muzzle weight slightly and the substitution of the high visibility bead for a more conventional captive white lozenge. Similarly the trigger blade, which is noticeably wide and fixed in position, although width and curvature are ideally proportioned to accommodate gloved fingers.

Shot initially around two squads of Coniston SG’s Skeet and loaded up with Express Super 20’s, the general feel and handling of the 20 bore Cynergy rapidly inspired confidence in both its and my abilities. Tipping the scales at an evenly distributed 7lbs 2ozs the gun’s overall mass ensures that although it remains buoyant and fluid during mount and swing, the shooter always enjoys full and flexible control.

Skeet and ESP scores were more than respectable, whilst the recoil from the hard hitting Express cartridges verged on negligible. Likewise choke choice meant only Cylinder, ¼ and ½ were required, even on the longest birds. Considered by some to be hardly worth mentioning, I found the new game version of the Cynergy shows a vastly improved forend. Slightly fuller and rounder, the design to my mind is substantially better, as it appreciably enhances feel and direction for the leading hand.

Balanced as it is the Cynergy 20-bore also promotes a slightly different technique if so desired. Besides the normal method of seeing your target, swinging onto it before pulling through and firing, you can readily deploy this game gun as a tool to pluck birds from the air. So deftly does it mount and acquire, you can virtually wait until the last moment before bringing it to your shoulder, with muzzles instantly on line and firing in one easy fluid motion. If shot this way you immediately acquire the apparent ease oft associated with this smaller gauge, whilst significantly reducing perceived and actual effort.

Game On

Slim and low line the Cynergy action is one of the most diminutive in production giving the user a near unrivalled view of the target. Similarly as a 20-bore when combined with quality loads, the handling and performance is not only the equal of most 12-bores; but often superior!

Correspondingly, besides the Grade 3 offering seen here, a more economically priced Grade 1 is available, though my personal choice, is the more ornate Grade 5, which really looks the business. Mechanically identical behind the furniture and engraving, for anyone unsure about the abilities of a smaller gauge shotgun, the 20-bore Cynergy will quickly convince you as a near ideal, lightweight, hard hitting game gatherer.
 
We Reckon!

• At last, Browning have got it right
• A 20-bore that thinks it’s a 12
• Tradition and technology perfectly melded together

PRICE: £1,474

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Browning Cynergy 20-bore - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Browning Cynergy 20-bore Game
  • Calibre: 20-bore
  • Barrels : 28”
  • Multi chokes: Y
  • Chamber: 3”
  • Weight: 8lb 1oz
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