Browning Maxus 2 Camo Max-5

Browning’s Maxus semi-automatic shotgun has earned itself a very big following due to its ultra-fast action design and reliability with a larger range of cartridge types. Designed in 2009, the Maxus has now had a makeover, with not only a more modern design twist but several re-tweaks to the operating system to improve performance. You have a choice of walnut or synthetic stocks, silvered or black actions, as well as carbon fibre finished or camouflaged Max 5 (on test). It has a 3.5” chamber, and comes with five Invector plus chokes (including an extended ½ choke), a back bored barrel, and stock extensions, making it a semi for all game and weather conditions.

Barrel
As expected, the barrel is steel-proofed, and when it comes to length, you can select 28” or 30” (on test). The rib is 6.5mm wide along its total length and features the customary serrated top. There is a single red Hi-Viz sight at the muzzle. As can be seen, it also features the excellent Max 5 camouflage finish.
The gun comes supplied with Browning’s Invector Plus chokes. As well as an extended ½ choke, you get some flush-fit chokes; Full(F), ¾(IM), ½(M), ¼(IC), and C. The barrel is designed by Browning but made in Portugal and features a ‘Back Bored’ system. This is where the bore is a slightly larger diameter than normal, helping to facilitate better patterns and less pellet deformation. Combining the Invector Plus chokes, back boring, and extended Vector Pro forcing cone that elongates the forcing cone dimensions, helps to produce superior patterns and to reduce recoil. 

Action
The Maxus has a good-looking action that shows a long swept-back rounded style and two dovetailed sections for scope mounting. There is also a central serrated section running nicely into the rib profile.
Even the stiffest 3.5” magnum or steel shot loadings are no match for the high tensile alloy action achieving both strength and lightness. You also have a lightweight steel bolt assembly with a two-piece bolt arrangement. The forward bolt head is held captive whilst the main bolt body can articulate separately as the bolt is withdrawn, ensuring a positive grip and semi-inertia-type extraction for any length case. A large extractor claw helps to achieve the reliable ejection of even the most stubborn steel loads. An easily removable, oversized cotton-reel-type cocking handle (1.25” long) really helps when it comes to cocking the Maxus. Looking at the bolt, I prefer the satin-brushed steel look on this gun to a jewelled finish.
An oversized bolt release button on the right of the receiver allows better traction. The shape has been improved, with a nice, grooved surface for extra grip. Look to the left-hand side of the receiver and there is a lever-operated magazine cut-off that allows cartridges to be removed from the chamber without cycling another round.
I like the uncomplicated lack of connecting rods from the piston to the bolt carrier, as this certainly simplifies the operating system. Instead, there is a large polymer shroud around the magazine tube and a steel rod that forces the bolt rearward. It’s simple yet effective.
Browning’s Power Drive gas-operated system is well-designed and can handle an array of cartridges from light to heavy. This gas system offers 18% less recoil, 44% less muzzle jump, 19% faster bolt speed, and 24% faster lock times, and that’s exactly why I like the Maxus 2. You also have a 20% improved piston run, so residue from the firing process is minimised.

Trigger and safety
The redesigned trigger guard, with a ramped front, improves the speed of reloading into the magazine itself, and being able to chamber the first round straight from the magazine without having to manipulate the bolt manually, due to the familiar Speed Load Plus System, makes this Maxus 2 a breeze to load.
The trigger guard allows plenty of access to the trigger blade, which is nicely curved, and gold-washed. During use, the pull weight came in at 3.45 lbs, which is pretty good for a semi. A standard cross-bolt system is sited in the rear of the trigger guard, and it simply stops the trigger blade from moving.

Furniture
Browning uses the injection moulding process for the stock, and there is a foam-lined interior that gives the Maxus 2 a lightweight yet solid feel. Plus, I like the Max 5 camo finish, as it’s probably the best all-round pattern out there. I also like the new soft-touch black rubber inserts to both the forend and pistol grip, as they do indeed grip better than moulded-in chequering of the past. You also get a soft rubber comb insert to minimise any felt recoil.
Dimensionally, the length of pull is 14.5”, the drop at comb is 44mm, and the drop at heel is 51mm. You can alter the drop and cast of the butt stock by using a series of thicker and angled insets that drop in between the stock and receiver. The length of pull can be increased by using the supplied plastic extension inserts.
In use, the recoil is very manageable, even with stiff loads, and this is due to Browning’s Inflex design, which features internal baffles. When the shotgun is fired, the recoil is lowered and the stock is angled away from the face, so a quick second or third shot is very mild.
The forend measures 12” long and is slightly less square in shape than on the original Maxus. Also, gone is the awkward Maxus forend release lever, which has been replaced with a more traditional screw-on cap.

In the field
A good high-pressure steel game load would be the Lyalvale Express HP Ultimate Game. During testing, we had a total of 215 No. 4 pellets hit the board, with 113 within the outer 30” sector and the remaining 102 clustered in the central 15” sector. We had a slightly left bias, but it was very windy and was probably me wobbling. Overall, if you look at the pattern, there was very good coverage. In fact, the shot column got to the board very quickly and actually toppled it over on its 18mm ply backboard!
I switched to the ¼ choke to see how this load faired, as sometimes going a bit more open with steel can actually improve the pattern. Now, we had a total of 204 pellets on the board, not a lot less than the ½ choke, and a more even spread from left to right. There were 79 inner hits and 125 outer hits. At the end of the day, it is up to you how to use your chokes and remember that every gun is different.
Another good steel loading would be Hull’s Steel Game, with its 32-grams of FE4 shot delivering a healthy 184 pellet strikes at 30 yards. These were distributed almost evenly, with 93 inner and 91 outer hits. We had a slight up-and-left bias, but this does happen with fast/light steel shot, so take note.
Next, the Gamebore Pigeon Extreme (34-grams | No. 5) managed 218 strikes on the board. We had, again, nearly identical inner and outer hits, with 106 inner hits and 112 outer strikes. Overall, nice coverage but a slightly left bias again.
The best pigeon load was Hull’s Special Pigeon, with its 32-gram No. 6 loading, mild recoil, and very good, even, and distributed patterns. Unsurprisingly, we had near identical patterns, which proves that the Browning-designed barrels are very concentric and allow the pellets to spread evenly and unimpeded, without clumping. We had 142 inners and 148 outers. Basically, my choice for a good day on the pigeons.

Conclusion
The Maxus is just one of those really great handling semis that always shoot well, and you know you will get great patterns and reliability from it. The fast-cycling action is superb, as is the reduced recoil, even with stiff loads, and the new subtle features of the Maxus 2 will endear it to many shooters, especially when you take into account the price.