Browning Auto 5 Belgium for hunting?

[cooey43]

Question about A5 Belgium made for hunting, I know it’s an older gun but I love the way they look and have a fascination for them. I’ve read mixed things on using steel through them and as I am relatively new to the world of hunting and guns I was looking for some feedback on them. I really want to get one for hunting but I don’t want to be too limited with what I can use. Any advice on one these guns would be appreciated. Pros and Cons? Thanks in advanced!

My main Duck gun is a 1965 Browning A-5 . I use Kent Matrix ammo. It kills better than lead.
One shot = dead. Steel = sometimes 2 shots + .
Do not use steel if you have a full choke , it will damage the barrel.

 

[cosmic]

Got a Belgian auto 5 “magnum” I inherited from my grandfather, evidently he didn’t use it much as it’s basically brand new, I’ve been running it the last few days figuring out what loads it likes best, going to use it for duck, the barrel says “ special steel 12ga shells 3inch” don’t know a lot about them but it gives me the impression I can use steel shot in it, I recommend it, not a lot of recoil and it sounds like no other shotgun I’ve fired but probably requires more attention

3 inch shells were around before steel shot was mandated. Guns from that era that were 3 inch capable were "magnum". FWIW - You had to be a rich man to shoot 3 inch Imperial shells.

 

[kamlooky]

Ol Paw bawt me a 3" mag back in /84.
I had Jennings open up the full choke to shoot steel.
He made mention that these old A-5's full choke were tight like those of ahh terkey choke.

Here's the symbol chart I just posted t'uther day.

Yer gonna want two ** stamped awn yer bawrill to shewt steel shawt.
Eventually the area just before the choke restriction starts, yer gonna git a bulge.
Iff'in yer lucky.

 

[kamlooky]

Last A-5 I bawt came'awf'ear.
Tree incher too.
Buddy wanted tuh seer.
Now he wants it.....................

 

[Grouse Man]

Not safe for steel. If you are just an ocassional waterfowler, use some of the softer non-toxic loads.

Also note, because it is a Magnum gun, it was not designed to shoot lighter target or field loads. Either 2-3/4" magnum or 3" magnum.

 

[fightinghamster]

Ol Paw bawt me a 3" mag back in /84.
I had Jennings open up the full choke to shoot steel.
He made mention that these old A-5's full choke were tight like those of ahh terkey choke.

Here's the symbol chart I just posted t'uther day.

Yer gonna want two ** stamped awn yer bawrill to shewt steel shawt.
Eventually the area just before the choke restriction starts, yer gonna git a bulge.
Iff'in yer lucky.

Thanks for the chart, now I know for sure I’ve got a full choke, tho if this one’s anything like all my grandfathers other shotguns he shot slugs out of it I’ll try to shoot a softer shot out of it from now on, unless someone can recommend a place for me to get a new barrel

 

[kamlooky]

In the EE.
And used A-5 bawrills don't come cheap.
Last one for $75 had me tempted, but the whacked ribbed with a crack inner had me thinking long
'nuff someone else gawter.

A-5 3" mag bawrills don't appear that often in the EE.

Short answer to the OP's question............yes