BLASER FBX SPORTING

› Anyone who has seen my YouTube channel knows I’m a huge Blaser fan. Whether it’s the engineering, the looks, or the handling, these guns have it all. Blaser offers a more limited range of products than most other shotgun manufacturers, with only the F16 and the F3 available until recently. So, when I heard that the company was introducing a brand-new model to its shotgun line-up, I couldn’t help but feel excited.
When I looked at the FBX Sporting for the first time, I immediately saw the resemblance to the F3 Professional. This made sense because the F3 has been tried and tested for over 20 years and has proved itself to be one of the most reliable shotguns on the market. The FBX receiver retains the same adjustable trigger and barrel selector, and I discovered that the internals are virtually the same as the F3, plus the reliable in-line hammer system remains. Interestingly, the FBX has a detachable trigger, unlike the F3 model, so if ever a mechanical problem were to arise, then a single screw can be removed to enable access to the internals.

Design and handling
The FBX’s receiver clearly looks a lot different from the F3’s, and some fantastic aesthetic and technical changes have been made. First, the heading of the stock protrudes over the action, and the fit of the fore-end to the metalwork is less square, which makes the FBX look a lot more modern. The raised sideplates on the receiver give it what I can only describe as an Italian look, a style that has proved successful for well-known Italian manufacturers and works just as well on this model.
The technical changes to the FBX receiver have resulted in this gun being like no other. It is wider and heavier than the F3 model, which allows a larger proportion of the gun’s weight to sit lower and perfectly between the shooter’s hands, resulting in better handling and reduced felt recoil. This, combined with the newly designed fore-end, sets it apart from most sporting shotguns on the market.

Altering the balance
Whereas most other modern sporting shotguns have the option of adjusting the balance by adding barrel weights, the FBX doesn’t. The balancing weights sit in the bottom of the fore-end, which contributes greatly to the recoil coming low into the shoulder and reducing muzzle rise.
The four fore-end weights sit neatly in line with each other, and they can easily be removed if you require a faster-moving gun, but I would highly recommend leaving them in place, as this weighting system is one of the reasons why this gun handles so well. The shape of the fore-end is a hybrid between a beavertail and a rounded design, featuring a very subtle indentation for your fingertips to lie in. Overall, the fore-end is very comfortable.

Stock design and fit
The stock has a chunkier profile that goes well with the thicker receiver. The pistol grip is relatively large, with a healthy palm swell and a comfortable reach to the trigger. The shooter’s hand sits straight due to the steep angle of the pistol grip and the deep cut-out in the stock. This is extremely comfortable and doesn’t put any strain on the wrist. It also helps the shooter maintain a firm and repeatable hand position for a consistent mount, reducing felt recoil and improving hit rates.
The wider surface area on the comb allows the shooter’s cheek to sit comfortably on the stock, while the wider, soft recoil pad fits securely into the shoulder pocket, allowing its larger surface area to distribute recoil more effectively.
As for the stock dimensions of the FBX Sporting, there is a healthy cast, and the comb height sits relatively high, helping the shooter to acquire the target quickly and maintain focus on it. An adjustable stock option is also available, so if you need adjustments to your own measurements, this can be achieved. Within the stock is a balancing system, so weight can be added or taken away to suit your preference.
The FBX comes as standard with a strong, yet attractive grade 5 wood set, but there is the option of upgrading all the way to grade 11 if your budget allows.

Diamond-Like Carbon
Every metal part that you will handle on the FBX is Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated, which is done on-site at the Blaser factory in Germany. This gives the metalwork corrosion-resistant protection and an incredibly hard surface that will enable a lifetime of wear and tear. A great video on YouTube from TGS Outdoors shows the manufacturing process, and it is very interesting and enjoyable to watch.

Barrels, rib, and chokes
The FBX incorporates a completely new barrel design, intended to deliver a smoother shot and more linear recoil. Each barrel features a forcing cone that is twice as long as those in the F3, improving shot ballistics and producing more consistent patterns. Shooters can choose between fixed ½ and ½ choked barrels or a multi-choked version. The latter is supplied with a set of five extended Briley thin-wall chokes, ensuring a combination to suit most preferences.
My favourite attribute of this barrel is the 10-8mm tapered rib. It is incredibly pleasing to look over and makes it very easy to acquire and maintain focus on every target. The DLC coating is practical and looks great, plus the vented top rib above the vented mid rib looks very stylish.

The field test
I first used the prototype FBX a few months before the launch, and although I didn’t put many shots through it, I instantly wanted to shoot it again. Fortunately, we received another FBX on the launch date, so I had the opportunity to get out to Barbury Shooting School with my good friend Mike to give the gun a real run for its money.
We both shot the FBX at virtually every target you would encounter over a round of sporting targets, and it performed incredibly well. From a 15 yard looper to a 40 yard crosser, the handling was perfect for what I want in a shotgun. It is perfectly balanced on the hinge pin and weighs 8lbs 9oz, which is great for control on longer targets but also lively enough to push quickly on closer ones.
Our greatest finding from testing the gun was the lack of recoil. It was incredibly smooth to shoot, with virtually no muzzle flip from the 28g loads I was using. The transition from my first shot to acquiring the next target was effortless and extremely quick because of this. Another point to make is that Mike was using fibre wad cartridges, and they patterned fantastically, with clouds of black soot coming from most of the targets he hit. Be sure to check out the video we did on the Fieldsports with Speed YouTube channel to see just what I mean.

Verdict
The FBX is one of the best sporting shotguns I have ever had the pleasure of using, and I have genuinely considered whether I need to buy one. As much as I love the F3 model, I do believe that the stock dimensions, aesthetics, barrel technology, and design of the FBX have resulted in Blaser’s ultimate creation.
The new stock configuration is very comparable to a Beretta DT11 Sporting, so if you are an admirer of the DT11’s chunky-profiled stock, I believe you will like this gun. If you are a shooter who doesn’t like a larger-profile stock and receiver, this may not be the gun for you.
Due to the smooth-shooting nature of the FBX, I believe it would be very well suited to anyone sensitive to recoil. During our initial testing with the prototype gun, we used some 36g game loads, and the recoil was still pleasant on the shoulder. This leads me to say that I know the FBX is aimed towards clay shooters, but I can see it being a popular choice for many game shooters due to its handling qualities, lack of recoil, and eye-pleasing tapered rib.
If I have one criticism, it is the removable trigger. A mechanical problem with this model is extremely unlikely, and giving the shooter access to try to fix a fault without the correct training or spare parts seems pointless.
Blaser UK has several FBX demonstrator guns across the country with its dealers, so be sure to get in contact to give one a go if this review has grabbed your attention. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.