Browning 525 shotgun review

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This Japanese-made gun is built to tried, tested and trusted principles.

Thursday, 28 June 2007

The Browning 525 shotgun is the successor to the B425 shotgun - which still has lots going for it.

Price: £1000-£1500

When Browning brought out the B525 in 2003 it represented the latest phase in the development of the company's Miroku-built models. There were no really dramatic changes - just subtle but important refinements which improved the gun and set it apart from its predecessors.

At the time, Browning made it clear the new gun was not a direct replacement for their highly-successful B425 model - and it still isn't, or at least, not totally. The B425 still soldiers on in its game and waterfowl versions, and maintains its popularity.

Perhaps strangely when you consider Browning's huge history of competition success, the firm decided to first introduce the B525 to the UK in game versions - or hunting, as they have it. But things have moved on, and the B525 is now available in a huge range of styles and grades to appeal to sporting and trap enthusiasts as well.

Game versions of the B525, like this example, are available in a variety of grades up to the gold-inlaid Ultimate, and in a lightweight version which weighs a touch over 6¼lb as well. There are fixed and multichoke versions of all models, and some 20-bore versions. It is the 12-bore grade three multichoke game version which is illustrated on these pages.

Who makes it?
The gun is built by Miroku of Japan in the city of Nangoku, in Japan's Kochi prefecture on the island of Shikoku. They started building sporting arms in 1893, and their long association with Browning began with negotiations in 1965. For many years, as well as making guns under their own name, they have built all of the more affordable Browning over-unders. They also make machine tools and automotive parts.

How adaptable is it?
Most shooters would pick the correct version of the B525 for their favourite form of shooting. The relatively light weight of this game version might make it a bit tiring in terms of recoil to shoot all day on the clay ground. For the most adaptable gun for the shooter who likes to do a bit of everything, pick one of the sporters - most of which weigh a bit under 7¾lb.

How does it work?
Like all break-action Brownings except the new Cynergy, this gun has a relatively deep action body, and employs a full-width cross pin for jointing. This feature, which follows the design principle laid down by John Moses Browning when he drew up the immortal B25 more than 80 years ago, sets Brownings and their sister Mirokus apart from most other guns on the world market today. Engineering purists may claim, in theory at least, the lock-up is not as strong as some of the low-profile alternatives, but this seems to be disproved by the fact that it has stood the test of time, and guns have a good reputation for long life and not shooting loose.

Basically, inside the action all of the gun's features are neatly stacked, one atop the other. At the very bottom, just above the trigger blade, is the full-width bolt, which runs along the action floor to engage with a bite in the barrel lumps when the gun is closed. Above the bolt lay the pivots for the hammers, which are powered by coil springs running on guide rods. As the hammers fall they drive forward rods which operate the ejector mechanism when the gun is opened.

The ejector mechanism is built into the fore end iron, and consists of two spring-powered hammers or kickers which are released when the gun is in the fully-open position, to operate two-piece ejectors running in dovetail channels in the barrel flats. This is a more complicated affair than the majority of ejector mechanisms fitted to low-profile actions, but it works well.

Sears are suspended from the top strap, and are lifted in turn by the single, selective trigger. The barrel selector, as is usual practice, is built into the safety thumbpiece.

Unusually for a game gun, the B525 does not have an automatic safety which comes into operation every time the gun is opened.

Apparently auto safeties are frowned upon in America due to some weird litigation, the details of which we have been unable to track down, but Browning obviously have to cater to the whims of their biggest market, however odd they may seem. An auto-safety could be made and fitted by a gunsmith, but it would be an expensive job.

Main differences between this action and the B425 include redesigned geometry of the hammers and sears to provide crisper trigger pulls, and a more sculptured look to the action frame. Engraving is also improved, and includes pleasant scrollwork and some particularly elegant game scenes.

Barrels
- Monobloc barrel set has 3in chambers and will handle steel loads but not super-magnums.

- Tubes are internally chromed, and therefore much more resistant to corrosion and easier to clean.

- Also, the Invector choke tubes are made of stainless steel.

- Game versions have 6mm parallel, ventilated ribs.

- Ribs on sporters are 10mm, and even wider, 13mm, on trap versions.

- Trap versions have either fixed chokes or Briley tubes.

Woodwork
- All B525 wood is good, and generally superb on the higher grades.

- Top grade stocks feature elegantly-carved drop points.

- Pistol grips have a chequer pattern designed for maxim grip and comfort.

- Stock lengths and drops are pretty much the same as on other Browning and Miroku models.

- On the gun pictured the stock length was 14.3/4 in, with drops of 1.1/2 and 2.3/4 in at comb and heel respectively.

How heavy?
The game model illustrated weighs 7.1/4lb.

What the tester thought
Sporting Gun tested the game model in July 2003, very shortly after it was announced on the UK market. It scored straight eights - 8 out of 10 for build quality, handling, styling and value for money. High points noted included easy-clean internally chromed barrels, traditional Browning reliability, and the large number of specifications to choose from.

The tester commented: "Overall this is a very good range of guns from Browning; well thought-out and with some features which sportsmen will appreciate. One nice touch is the game range has been magnum proofed to give maximum versatility, even with steel loads."

Price
The Grade 1 game is about £1,300, and a Grade 1 sporter about £1,350. A Grade 3 sporter is about £3,300.

Alternatives
If you add up all the different specifications and barrel lengths for the B525 listed on the Browning website, there are no fewer than 55 separate versions! Main opposition is from the various Miroku and Beretta variants.

More information
From all Browning dealers.

Useful website
www.browningint.com lists all the grades and specifications.