Browning Auto 5 Barrel Mods

[ken1989]

I have a Browning Auto 5 Magnum 12, made in Belgium - 1973, 32" vent rib barrel, fixed full choke, * special steel barrel. I would like to shoot steel. Options are: new Hastings barrel is like $700 plus, machining choke to fixed modified is about $60 and machining barrels for replaceable chokes.

I am leaning towards machining the barrel for replaceable chokes. Is this the best option? What are the recommended choke tubes brands to use? Who would you recommend to do this - shipping is not a problem Would like to hear from someone who has done this and their experiences & recommendations. Thank You.

 

[Rich the Butcher]

I have a 69 Mag12. I was able to find a Hastings barrel and do love it, but I also got the original barrel cut down to 28" and threaded for remchokes. Both barrels work fine, but I do honestly prefer the Hastings barrel, but for the price difference you mentioned, $600 is a lot of ammo.

 

[philhut]

I got an invector choked barrel for a Light Twleve 2-3/4 and at the time the dealer Gagnon sports had a 3inch option as well. This is the only dealer I have seen with an invector barrel for the A5. It was $400. May want to email around to somedealers otherwise 2nd hand from the gun show crowd would be my next step.

 

[guntech]

I have a Browning Auto 5 Magnum 12, made in Belgium - 1973, 32" vent rib barrel, fixed full choke, * special steel barrel. I would like to shoot steel. Options are: new Hastings barrel is like $700 plus, machining choke to fixed modified is about $60 and machining barrels for replaceable chokes.

I am leaning towards machining the barrel for replaceable chokes. Is this the best option? What are the recommended choke tubes brands to use? Who would you recommend to do this - shipping is not a problem Would like to hear from someone who has done this and their experiences & recommendations. Thank You.

It is quite possible your barrel may be too thin for choke tube installation. It would have to be inspected by the supplier/installer to make that decision.

But why do you need choke tubes in the first place? Perhaps just alter the barrel for steel shot...? Steel only requires one fairly open choke.

SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT

Forcing Cone Alteration:

Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.

Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.

Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.

For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.

 

[kamlooky]

I had the same dilemma with the Browning 3" mag'ear.
Wandered out to Jennings with the eye-deer to spend the coin
on having the bawrill threaded fur choke tubes.
Dave dint think there wuzz nuff meat for threads.
So I followed his advice and left the shotgun there.
He honed the choke out to some sort of improved modified.
I don't know if he altered the forcing cone as guntec mentioned.
This wee bit-oh nawlidge came after the fact.

May have to ask Dave if he did the f/c alteration as well.
I suppose with his credentials it would of been part of the alteration.

 

[madtrapper143]

I cut my 32" Belgian FULL Magnum barrel to 26" and re installed the bead. It is cylinder bore but throws duck killing patterns to just beyond 40 yards. The cartridge I use is Winchester Expert 3" Magnum 1 1/4 oz. #4 @ 1400 fps. Works like a charm for the close shot too. Total cost , some of my time.

Darryl

 

[ken1989]

Thank you all for the posts. The muzzle diameter is sufficient to install interchangeable chokes. Cutting back the barrel from 32" to 28" is an interesting idea - muzzle diameter increases. Any recommendations of who installs interchangeable chokes and does an excellent job at a reasonable price.

 

[3macs1]

It has always amazed me that standard rem chokes are being installed in theses barrels when Briley cannot do it saying not sufficient material for safe operation
Humm
Cheers

 

[guntech]

It has always amazed me that standard rem chokes are being installed in theses barrels when Briley cannot do it saying not sufficient material for safe operation
Humm
Cheers

So who is installing standard Rem chokes in old Belgium Auto 5 barrels?

I have seen several Remington barrels that were not large enough for Rem chokes.

 

[kamlooky]

It has always amazed me that standard rem chokes are being installed in theses barrels when Briley cannot do it saying not sufficient material for safe operation
Humm
Cheers

You can lead them to water but...……….

So, if they manage to fruck up the bawrill, whom gonna eat that?

 

[3macs1]

So who is installing standard Rem chokes in old Belgium Auto 5 barrels?

I have seen several Remington barrels that were not large enough for Rem chokes.

Several . Every one of mine was a no go but all were done at Briley also
I agree with you, Read post 2 again for one case. I have seen others
Cheers

 

[struff55]

Even with then wall tubes installed you can not shoot steel shot any any gun not just a5’s . The best solution is to cut the bbl back 26”-28” and shoot away . I have done this to a few a5’s that were bulged from shooting steel thru the original full choke and they have worked fine . Yes the forcing cone alteration is a good idea

 

[guntech]

Even with then wall tubes installed you can not shoot steel shot any any gun not just a5’s .

I used to install Thin Wall tubes.. Lots of tubed guns shooting steel. Use AntiSieze compound on the threads (adds to the strength of the joint and insures easy removal). Just make sure it is improved cylinder or skeet tubes. Nothing tighter.

 

[3macs1]

I used to install Thin Wall tubes.. Lots of tubed guns shooting steel. Use AntiSieze compound on the threads (adds to the strength of the joint and insures easy removal). Just make sure it is improved cylinder or skeet tubes. Nothing tighter.

Why?? today. I have guns fitted by briley with thin wall choke tubes right to full choke for steel and work just fine. In fact the IM gives me the best patterns

My 10ga mag -10 ithaca has fitted as one example
Briley Series 16 (S-16) Thin Wall Flush choke - 10 Gauge All Shot Type (VX)

The days of the old colonial thin wall are long gone and yes I have them also in some old superx1 and remingtons and still crack the odd one just with lead
Cheers

 

[ken1989]

Why?? today. I have guns fitted by briley with thin wall choke tubes right to full choke for steel and work just fine. In fact the IM gives me the best patterns

My 10ga mag -10 ithaca has fitted as one example
Briley Series 16 (S-16) Thin Wall Flush choke - 10 Gauge All Shot Type (VX)

The days of the old colonial thin wall are long gone and yes I have them also in some old superx1 and remingtons and still crack the odd one just with lead
Cheers

Local gunsmith still uses Colonial thin wall chokes. Are they a bad idea or is there something better?

 

[guntech]

Why?? today. I have guns fitted by briley with thin wall choke tubes right to full choke for steel and work just fine. In fact the IM gives me the best patterns

With steel shot tighter chokes giving better patterns is an anomaly. It's normally more open chokes that give better steel patterns... but actually testing various sizes on a pattern board is the best way...

 

[3macs1]

Local gunsmith still uses Colonial thin wall chokes. Are they a bad idea or is there something better?

I don't know what new ones are like but the old ones that I have in a few shotguns are Ok for lead only and even with lead I have split a few
I pretty much use all Briley tubes now , yes being forced to send them state side in 410 , 28, 16 and 10ga since I could never find a smith in canada doing anything but 20 and 12ga
I am happy with all my bradley installations and tubes
Cheers

 

[3macs1]

With steel shot tighter chokes giving better patterns is an anomaly. It's normally more open chokes that give better steel patterns... but actually testing various sizes on a pattern board is the best way...

I started reloading steel a year after the lead ban and could not even get components in canada at the time and was having what I needed shipped from the US. Ah the good old days
I do 10ga and 3 " and 3 1/2" 12ga one round at a time weighing each powder and shot drop
I shot a ton of paper with steel over the years and reloading specialties were on a first name basis with me and spent a small fortune on every choke tube out there it seemed buying and buying them trying to find a combo in steel that would kill
My browning golds all pattern steel up to BBB best with IM briley and reloading specialties recepies
It is all about trying different loads and patterning and patterning and patterning to get what is best for any shotgun when steel is involved
I would guess that is about 1/2 of what is still kicking around here in tubes. They can add up quick over the years
Cheers

 

[kamlooky]

Diss werky?

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...Auto-5-12-gauge-3-quot-Magnum-Invector-barrel

 

[Lawney]

I have a 1960 magnum with the same barrel u have. I had it reamed to Light Modified and never looked back! Man does it feel great downing geese with the old humpback! Hard to miss!