Browning B525

It’s a safe bet to assume that Browning’s B525 action has now been around for quite a while. A natural progression from the familiar trapdoor actions that went before, for many it was starting to get around the time that something new came along. Enter Browning’s new B525 that on the surface looks remarkably like the 12 bore it replaces. But wait, something’s different. It feels unusual; the handling’s completely new, the action’s more ornate and the chokes have changed.

More For Your Money

As soon as you open the black plastic travelling case you quickly realise your now getting far more for your £1,571… to a degree you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been supplied with a higher grade shotgun than you’ve paid for. The first obvious differences are that the walnut furniture is now oil finished, the panels of chequering have been marginally enlarged and become a little more distinctive whilst the pack of multi-chokes are now the slightly longer and more efficient Invector Plus. Similarly, a more detailed study reveals that the once Grade 3 engraving has now appeared on a Grade 1 shotgun, pheasants to the left, ducks to the right, whilst rose and scroll has been applied to the Schnabel forend irons and latch, top – lever and fences. 

Mechanically the new B525 is ostensibly the same, Browning maintaining their faith in their famous trap-door action, the nomenclature now contained within an heraldic scroll on the base. However, although the barrels look to be the usual well struck, glossy black tubes complete in this instance measuring 30” with a solid side rib and a vented 5mm game top rib, the 3” chambered monobloc set is now 4oz lighter, has extended forcing cones and back boring. To put this in layman’s terms, the barrels now weigh less and in conjunction with the new flush-fit chokes are considerably more efficient whilst having what can only be described as a dramatic effect on the B525’s overall nature. 

Weight a Minute

The transformation in the new B525’s handling is instant, the feel in the hands verging on revolutionary. Now weighing exactly 7lbs although the usual measurements have been retained, drop at comb and heel still 1 7/16” and 2 3/16” with a good length of pull measuring 14 13/16” the next modification now becomes apparent. Oft criticised for the weight, although still inertia driven and non-adjustable, Browning’s new trigger breaks at a fraction over 4lbs, proof positive that the B525’s trigger group always could be tuned if needed. Although the test gun displayed a minute amount of creep, the break is now satisfyingly predictable and considerably more responsive, a major bonus when taking on any form of left and right targets be them pheasants, woodcock or high speed clays. 

Light and Lithe

Even before I took the new B525 anywhere near a layout the new personality of the gun almost shone through. Apart from the fact the Arrow Laser Shot highlighted the Browning’s flat shooting nature a propensity I like many others prefer in all sporting shotguns, the new weight and mass distribution showed at once that Browning have brought the gun ‘back to the shooter’. In other words, besides the fact that this 12 – bore balances directly beneath the hinges, the gun sits more evenly in the hands. This in turn means general movement is easier; the B525 doesn’t need to be driven as hard and that, if like me you tend to shoot gun down, it virtually leaps into the shoulder. The new B525’s efficiency when mounting is an absolute pleasure adding an almost new meaning to the oft overused term ‘it comes up well’.

Shot over three different sporting layouts using a combination of 28g Express World Cup fibres and plaswad Supremes, Browning’s new barrel treatments quickly made their presence felt. Always a comfortable shotgun to shoot, the new B525 is now even more user friendly; even the most delicate of shooters will find recoil levels negligible. Add to this the gun’s positive enthusiasm to perform and I guarantee your scores will improve. From the very first shot this B525 was on the mark, the handling a delight whilst picking the most difficult targets out of the sky for fun, equating to a smile on the face of both myself and everyone else who asked if they could try it for themselves.   

Life Expectancy

By taking Browning’s latest B525 development as a whole the gun now personifies the phrase ‘there’s life in the old dog yet’. Now before you start to criticise remember this, when Browning tried to revolutionise their shotguns by introducing the Cynergy, a model they’ve now turned into an excellent piece of kit, Browning traditionalists were horrified. As to whether this was due to the radical looks or an inability to appreciate a whole new concept I cannot say but at least the Cynergy introduced a new group of enthusiasts into the Browning fold.

Where the new B525 makes its mark is in the fact it still looks like most shooters think a Browning should, it’s excellent value for money, comes in both game and competition versions, has 26” and 28” barrel length options and can be had as a left hooker. But whilst the physical visuals have more or less remained the same, apart from the obvious upgrades, the dynamics have now brought the basic B525 completely up to date. Whilst the same deep action is still central to the gun the character is now radically different, with a new more usable character.

Basically, from the shooter’s perspective, the new B525 Hunter is an even more user friendly shotgun than the one that went before. In other words, one of the best designed shotguns on the market has just got even better. If there is a downside from Browning’s point of view, the new B525 Grade 1 Hunter more or less eliminates the need for any shooter to buy a Grade 3. 

My Thanks To

•Lyalvale Express;  www.lyavaleexpress.com
•HiDefSpex; www.hidefspex.com
•CENS Digital; www.censdigital.com
•Ballistol UK; www.ballistol.co.uk
•Sinn – Chronomaster; www.chronomaster.co.uk
•Arrow Laser Shot; www.arrowlasershot.com

Technical Specification

•Name: Browning B525 Grade 1 Hunter
•Calibre: 12 bore
•Barrels: 30”
•Action:Break – barrel boxlock
•Stock: Sporter
•Weight:7lbs
•Chokes: Flush-fit Invector Plus multi
•Price: £1,571 srp
•Contact: BWM Arms Ltd 01235 514550 www.browningint.com