Browning Ultra XT High Rib

Whilst various models of Browning’s shotguns can turn their muzzles towards a variety of uses or competitive disciplines the new Ultra XT Trap High Rib is - as the name infers - noticeably purpose specific. Configured to be at its most effective on going away type clays, everything about the XT Trap is designed to ensure that providing the gun has been set up correctly courtesy of the adjustable stock and that the optimum choke/ammunition combination has been established, there shouldn’t be the slightest reason why you’ll miss a trap bird. If you do miss, it’s more or less a given that it was your fault and certainly not the XT Trap.

Box Clever

In keeping with the XT Trap’s ethos this 12 bore arrives in nothing more glamorous than a cardboard box. That said, it contains absolutely everything the trap shooter needs to take him or her from their first bird to laying claim to the title and trophy. Two additional, interchangeable, trigger blades give the shooter the choice of broad, angled, smooth or ribbed that can be changed over in a matter of seconds whilst the set of five matte black and gold Briley extended multi-chokes are all perfectly attuned to their intended task. Starting with ½ the range includes, for want of simplistic terms, tight ½, ¾, full and extra full all of which are best suited to both basic trap along with the more demanding variants such as Double-Rise and other related disciplines.

Fit For Purpose

But just because the XT Trap has been designed with one competitive purpose in mind doesn’t mean it’s an unattractive shotgun. The semi-oiled Beaver style latched forend and adjustable trap stock are both rich in colour and well figured with large panels of fine chequering, the stock finished off with a thick, soft honeycombed recoil pad. Likewise, the large semi-pistol grip features a sizable palm swell designed to lock the shooter’s hand into the correct position, since unlike a sporting gun, trap shooting needs the elimination of any form of movement of the gun within the hands; gun, arms and body all coming together as one fluid unit.

Action wise it’s a B525, one of the best and strongest designs of its type, the full width hinge and deep bottom bite providing one of the most robust, unfailing lock–ups you can get. Externally, the satin effect sides and base are picked out with gold inlaid edging and small panels of scroll that repeat along the top-lever manual safety come barrel selector. The remainder has been left plain as if to emphasize the fact that the Ultra XT is more about function over form. But it’s the barrels that set this particular Browning apart.

Take The Tubes

Measuring 30” or 30¾” with the extended chokes in situ, the gloss black monobloc barrels are of Browning’s usual high standard. Mated to 3” chambers although this is a facility you’ll rarely if ever use since the competition ammo is of the 28 gram or 24 gram 2¾” variety, suspend the tubes and they ring like a bell, a guarantee of their quality. Joined together by a wide section vented mid-rib, although they aren’t free floating the gap between the top and bottom tubes is more than sufficient to be able to work out top and bottom barrel convergence on rapidly elevating, departing clays when calculated along with the adjustable stock comb.

Ramping up from above the chambers the actual high 7 – 10mm tapering top rib sits 10mm above the top barrel on a row of substantial stanchions, the upper part stipple finished with a high visibility front bead and small white mid bead. As usual with this bead configuration, when the shooter can see an inverted figure ‘8’ in their peripheral vision, eyes and barrels are aligned.

Set-up

A few moments with the Arrow Laser Shot confirmed that like most trap guns the Ultra XT shot slightly high and that the comb would need adjusting to suit my style. As per factory settings the gun weighs an exact 9lbs whilst the length of pull is initially set at 14¾” although this can be altered by plus or minus half an inch whilst the 5lbs 1oz release weight was for me ideal. Likewise, whilst the 1 7/8” drop at heel is fixed the comb’s drop can be raised once again by a maximum of ½” from 1 5/8” to whatever is required, my own needs working out at a ¼” lift with just a fraction of twist towards the right.

At Bond & Bywater’s layouts along with a goodly supply of 28 gram Express Supremes filled with 8’s, the Ultra XT was quickly delivering significant results. With the bulk of the weight settling into the leading hand the Ultra XT is defined and positive as it seeks out its targets and perfectly suited to the demands of DTL. Whilst the clays may appear to deviate over quite wide angles this actually translates to far less movement of the gun than might be expected. To this end, this Browning allows the shooter to move fluidly onto the most demanding of targets whilst maintaining a smooth, flowing, continuous swing, the actual characteristics almost preventing the user from stabbing at their clays.

After the initial set up it took only a matter of a few moments to lower the stock by no more than a 1/16” and move the trigger slightly more forward, which meant it shot exactly as I like my trap guns to. Whilst some like to see quite a wide gap between muzzle and clay, the visual impression I prefer is that of seeing the clay sit on top of the bead. This does tend to mean that my own trap guns shoot only a fraction above flat but each to their own. It also demonstrated just how versatile the Ultra’s stock comb can be.

Where the high rib comes into its own is that instead of the more familiar flat rib ‘nose over toes’ stance, the shooter’s upper body and head remain more upright. This in turn significantly enhances the shooter’s view and allows them to pick up on their target far quicker and earlier than expected. So by combining the existing and already proven dynamics of the existing Browning Ultra trap gun and adding the modern higher rib means the shooter now enjoys the best of both worlds, the latest shooting technology and train of thought combined in a competition 12 bore that comes complete with an enviable track record.   

Long – Term Plans

Given the current climate, investing £2,800 of your hard earned in a trap specific 12 – bore shotgun might at first seem unusual. However, whether you’re an establish trap shot whose looking to change, or a sporting shooter looking to move into trap shooting, the Ultra XT High Rib makes great sense. Compared to many trap guns the asking price makes this Browning one of the least expensive of its type. Add into this the fact the basic design is one of the most respected ever built, the fact it incorporates one of what might be referred to as a low high rib, comes with an adjustable comb, a set of chokes specifically chosen for the job in hand plus Browning’s undisputed build quality and there’s little else out there to equal this extremely effective shotgun.

Granted that unlike many of the high rib guns, the rib on this Browning is fixed but that doesn’t stop virtually every aspect of the Ultra X feeling right. And yes on first mounting the gun it feels rather on the weighty side but once again it’s no more than many other similar shotguns, some of which can be a pound heavier. But once you’ve settled on the first peg, called for and positively smoked your first five birds you realise why the Ultra XT is as it is. In other words it’s not some form of cross- over gun, although it’s actually quite capable of performing well as a sporter but for sporting clays you really need the XT’s sister model the XS.

But as a trap gun to either start off with then to work with and a reliable partner with which to refine your technique with, the Ultra XT is an excellent piece of kit. And unlike many others who inform you that if you want more stylish action detailing and enhanced woodwork that’ll add a wallet full of cash to the end price, this Browning already comes with quality furniture and fixed grade ornamentation - and since it’s kills, points and success that counts in all levels of trap shooting, ornate trophies and winner’s cash prizes are what really count, something Browning’s Ultra XT High Rib is more than capable of providing. 

PRICE:  £2,800 srp