Browning B725 Black Edition

It had to happen, in fact it always does happen, Browning bring out a new shotgun and within months the variations start to appear. But with the B725 S3 Black Edition, Browning has for once displayed a considered approach instead of the more usual upgrades and alternatives for the sake of them. From the outset the new B725 range consisted of both game and competition versions ensuring that both types of shooters were immediately catered for, in certain respects the game gun equally accomplished at both styles of shooting. But whilst the S1 was and is a competition 12-bore in looks and handling, the new S3 Black Edition has moved the gun forwards.

Ready To Rock ‘N’ Roll

Gone are the ‘well it’s a game gun made to look like a clay breaker’ looks. Instead the S3 Black Edition can’t be mistaken for anything else. It looks right and as we’ll see, it more than feels right. From the moment you lift the two halves from the new B725 padded travelling case, its not so much it’s fit for purpose, it positively grabs you by the throat and forces the fact down your neck. The other aspect of the Black Edition is that it looks stunning, the semi-oiled grade three walnut complete with drop points of a quality that Browning’s grading system actually does a disservice to.

The well proportioned sporter stock incorporates the slim Inflex recoil pad, a system that allows for a slim butt pad that works just as efficiently if not more so than many thicker examples. Moving forward it’s the grip that might be a problem for shooters with smaller hands. Definitely full sized, the radius is open with both sides embossed with two large panels of fine cut checkering whilst a large palm swell in this case bulges out from the right hand side. Designed to allow perfect repetition of hand placement and maintain a secure grip no matter how much gun movement might be needed, those with more dainty hands may need to have it slimmed down.

Forend wise, its Browning’s modernistic take on the Schnabel, a design that I grow to dislike even more each and every time I have to handle one. The route Browning has chosen is to add the contoured lip to the end of a London-pattern profile, the quality of the wood and checkering plus the length making it comfortable to hold whilst ensuring freedom of the hand without having to come into contact with the dreaded lip.

Black Op’s

When Browning say’s this is the Black Edition they mean it. The 3” chambered barrels, in this instance 30” (or 30¾” with the Invector DS choke tubes fitted) are a deep gloss black and come complete with vented mid and a 10mm, central groove top rib. Only the white bead and polished steel and gold edged chokes standing out from the otherwise dark surface. Over or back bored using the Invector system, the inner bore technology allied to the excellent patterns the chokes throw means a far softer gun to shoot combined with an even shot distribution. The end result being broken targets even if caught by the edge of the pattern.

Shifting backwards to the action, the B725’s lower profile design means the gun doesn’t feel quite as bulky as the preceding B525, the view is better, the feeling far more streamlined. That said, it if ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it means the familiar Browning lock-up is still in place, a solid bolt extending from the bottom of the action face and locating into the monobloc system just below the bottom chamber. Slightly old fashioned by some standards but it worked well for years and I for one am delighted that Browning have retained this well proven method.

Semi-matte black in finish with the engraved spirals ghosted into each side plus black tangs, top-lever and manual safety, the receiver’s only highlights are the B725 and S3 names inlayed in gold along with the usual gold Buckmark and trigger blade. Adjustable by 5mm fore or aft, the standard shape smooth surface trigger blade can also be switched to one of the two alternative versions that come with the gun. Perchance the shooter prefers, there’s an offset version or one with a grippy hatched surface either of which can be installed within a matter of moments.   

In the Drift

Physically like most dedicated clay breakers the B725 feels a substantial 12-bore. Weighing an exact 8lbs and 48” in length inclusive of the chokes, the gun balances directly beneath the hinges with almost perfectly neutral weight distribution. Drops at comb and heel of 15/16” and 2” give the stock a slightly high comb feel and one that like the grip, allows for the repetitive placement against the cheek, most aspects of the Black Edition designed to promote physical duplication and muscle memory. The factory set length of pull is 14¾” although as commented on it can be altered whilst the trigger is one of the lightest I’ve found over recent times, breaking at 4lbs 4oz.

Hooked up to the Arrow Laser Shot for me at least the gun displayed a fractionally high attitude when initially mounted. However, the slight adjustment of butt placement within the shoulder dropped the muzzles, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the bead. A few more minutes of dry mounting meant the correct feel was quickly established and easily remembered, the Browning and I ready for the layouts.

Fitting ¼ and ½ chokes plus a couple of boxes of 28g Eley VIP Sporting cartridges soon established that the Black Edition more than lived up to its sales brochure reputation. Combined looper and teal clays were easy prey to this Browning’s abilities whilst the levels of comfort were immediately noticeable to a degree felt recoil was all but eliminated by the time it had worked its way down the gun to the shoulder, confirmation that Browning has got the stock size and angles exactly right.

The other perceptible trait of the gun is that it doesn’t so much swing as drift between targets. Initially slow to start once the line of the bird has been established the gun swings easily onto and through the bird, the gun maintaining the primary energy the shooter instilled. Even on fast opposing pairs, the Black Edition remains unhurried promoting a genuine smoothness of swing and handling, gun and shooter flowing between birds. Possessed of honest refinement, this new Browning combines old clay shooting values with modern technology, the end result being a 12-bore that not only works with the shooter but a gun that’ll potentially inject some valuable advice.

No Variation

Besides the 30” barrelled version as tested, the length most shooters will probably opt for, 28” and 32” versions are available at no extra cost. This means that irrespective of the barrels you select the asking price remains the same at £2,479. But where this new B725 will win out is in re-establishing Browning as a major player in competitive shooting. Over recent years, in comparison to the rest, Browning have started to become perceived as having been somewhat left behind, their products well made, reliable but lacking in the technology many shooters now look for in their competition shotguns.

But with the B725 Black Edition Browning have answered all their critics and then some, this new gun everything a top end clay breaker should be. And if further proof were needed I’m reliably informed that take up of this particular model has exceeded even Browning’s expectations and having now had the pleasure of shooting with one I can understand why. A shotgun that looks and shoots considerably in excess of the asking price, don’t be surprised when you’ve been soundly beaten by one and when you’ve seen and handled one, you’ll very soon join the list of those owning one.