axeman_g
Member
All,
Got the new BPS 12g 28" Hunter model out to the patterning board and the trap range today.
Initial thoughts and impressions:
- this gun is one hunk of solid steel. Balance is in mid point and it feels good in two hands.
- blueing is that Browning proprietary deep amost black finish. Well done and even coating.
- Wood is a nice piece of walnut, not the fanciest I have ever seen but some of the nicest I have seen on a sub $1K gun in years.
- Action is slick, very smooth and fast.
Paterning Board:
-All loads were 1200+fps #8s at 30yds.
- IC is not the choke for 30 yds in this gun. I had a A5 Light 12 that threw a tight IC pattern at 30yds. Not this gun... the Rem Dove Sure Shot patterned the best with a nice 60/40 split in the pattern but it was still a much to wide of spread.
- Mod choke threw a very nice pattern with Rem Sport, Rem Dove Sure Shot, Win AA but the Estate Sport 12 sucked... the patter was all over with a 40/60 top to bottom ratio, it was horrible. The Dove was once again a nice 60/40 split but the spread was a little wider then the Win AA. This might not be a bad things for myself. The Rem Target load had some big holes in the middle of the spread.
- Tried the full+ tube also, this threw a very tight pattern maybe 24" to 30" spread in total at 30yds. This will be a good waterfowl or turkey tube.
17yd Line:
Shot three rounds... two with Win AA, one with the Rem Dove. First round was a solid 21, then a 22 and the third was a 23. Recoil is non existent, the bulk of the receiver really soaks up the impulse. The gun swings so evenly and maintains momentum. It will be impossible for me to point shoot this gun which is one of my biggest issues while clay shooting. Function was perfect and so simple, roll gun over, tap forend forward and inch so the extractor arms move toward top of the inside of the receiver, drop a shell in and it slide right into the chamber. Close action with a fast wip of the forearm and roll the gun up to shoulder. Sweet. Saftey is over/under slick and easy. Trigger was not crisp, but this is a time and usage item. It does not reguire a trigger job. Ejection was simple, shell lands at feet or easily pop up into the hand if you roll it over. Choke tubes come out easily if required.
Keeper... I was looking for a howitzer to shoot trap with and start waterfowling next season. I think this gun will do the job.
Got the new BPS 12g 28" Hunter model out to the patterning board and the trap range today.
Initial thoughts and impressions:
- this gun is one hunk of solid steel. Balance is in mid point and it feels good in two hands.
- blueing is that Browning proprietary deep amost black finish. Well done and even coating.
- Wood is a nice piece of walnut, not the fanciest I have ever seen but some of the nicest I have seen on a sub $1K gun in years.
- Action is slick, very smooth and fast.
Paterning Board:
-All loads were 1200+fps #8s at 30yds.
- IC is not the choke for 30 yds in this gun. I had a A5 Light 12 that threw a tight IC pattern at 30yds. Not this gun... the Rem Dove Sure Shot patterned the best with a nice 60/40 split in the pattern but it was still a much to wide of spread.
- Mod choke threw a very nice pattern with Rem Sport, Rem Dove Sure Shot, Win AA but the Estate Sport 12 sucked... the patter was all over with a 40/60 top to bottom ratio, it was horrible. The Dove was once again a nice 60/40 split but the spread was a little wider then the Win AA. This might not be a bad things for myself. The Rem Target load had some big holes in the middle of the spread.
- Tried the full+ tube also, this threw a very tight pattern maybe 24" to 30" spread in total at 30yds. This will be a good waterfowl or turkey tube.
17yd Line:
Shot three rounds... two with Win AA, one with the Rem Dove. First round was a solid 21, then a 22 and the third was a 23. Recoil is non existent, the bulk of the receiver really soaks up the impulse. The gun swings so evenly and maintains momentum. It will be impossible for me to point shoot this gun which is one of my biggest issues while clay shooting. Function was perfect and so simple, roll gun over, tap forend forward and inch so the extractor arms move toward top of the inside of the receiver, drop a shell in and it slide right into the chamber. Close action with a fast wip of the forearm and roll the gun up to shoulder. Sweet. Saftey is over/under slick and easy. Trigger was not crisp, but this is a time and usage item. It does not reguire a trigger job. Ejection was simple, shell lands at feet or easily pop up into the hand if you roll it over. Choke tubes come out easily if required.
Keeper... I was looking for a howitzer to shoot trap with and start waterfowling next season. I think this gun will do the job.