Steel shot in an old Browning A-5?

[MD]

An 80 year-old friend of mine has an old Browning A-5 that he has had since about 1960 I figure.

He used it for years and years on pheasants, ducks and geese.

When we had to go to steel shot he was still hunting (he's quit now) and I asked him if he had the bore reamed out from full to modified and he said no he hadn't, and didn;t notice any bulge in the barrel from steel either.

I am wondering then: If he shot that shotgun for 40 yeaars, would the choke have slowly gotten more open from all the shot he poured out the end of that barrel?

Is there an easy way to gauge what choke it is at now?

What about the coin trick? A penny or a dime or what?

One more thing. he has an old J.C. Higgins semi-auto too, but he says it "sticks". I guess that means it doesn't cycle well.

High Standard made those didn't they? It sure looks like the High Standard "Supermatic" in my gun parts book.

How do you fix the sticking part? I'd like to borrow one or the other of those guns.

 

[popcan]

"it sticks" is a pretty loose diagnosis... but it sounds like you should start with the basics... a detail stripping and cleaning of all the working parts.

If not that, then maybe inspect the parts for deformities or wear.... then try heavier loads in case it was just not cycling under light shells.

:idea: if you are unsure about the safety of the gun in any way, go to a gunsmith FIRST before shooting it!

 

[kevin.303]

well i got a 1966 A5 with a full choke, and i wouldn't even try steel in it. take a set of calipers and measre the inside diameter of the barrel, i forget the dimensions for modified, but full is around .675".

 

[bobbyjack]

well i got a 1966 A5 with a full choke, and i wouldn't even try steel in it. take a set of calipers and measre the inside diameter of the barrel, i forget the dimensions for modified, but full is around .675".

I've got a 1930 and a 1935 Browning on a Rem 11,and 11 sportsman,I wouldn't think of shooting steel in these fine mirrowed barrells!!!

They are respectfully 75 years old and the barrells are so fine!!

I expect yours is the same! It would cost you about 350.00 US dollars,to get another REM or Browning barrell!

Get a Mossy or REM pump for those steel shots!

I don't think the law was in effect in the 60's for steel shot!!!


So he probably never shot any in it!!!

Bob

 

[MD]

Bob,

Al was using that shotgun for Alberta geese into the late 1990s when steel shot was required.

It is still his shogun, I haven't even made him an offer on it yet.

MD

 

[swish]

i've got a 57' a-5,with a modified choke.i've been shooting steel through it for the last 10 years.no problem.
you could buy a new barrel or have it opened up to modified or whatever suits your fancy.
they are nice guns,a little heavey but they swing nice!

 

[Murf]

I have a '50's A 5 full choke in which I have inadvertently touched off a couple of 3" steel loads. This happened when I switched guns with my son and not knowingly had a couple 3 " duck loads left over in my pocket. The shells would not eject as after firing they are too long for the port. I say a couple because it happened on two occassions. There is no damage but I do not recommend such. I do not plan to use steel in the old gal...on purpose that is. I mention it only to show a quality arm is well built but don't tempt fate.

 

[rgwhitman]

Recently acquired and then resold an older Auto 5 Browning with 2 3/4 inch barrel
.
Part of the deal was a quite new Browning vent rib 30inch barrel for it (2 3/4in chamber) with invector choke tubes. Also a new wood forend. Available for $300.00 if you are interested.

 

[rgwhitman]

Recently acquired and then resold an older Auto 5 Browning with 2 3/4 inch barrel
.
Part of the deal was a quite new Browning vent rib 30inch barrel for it (2 3/4in chamber) with invector choke tubes. Also a new wood forend. Available for $300.00 if you are interested.

 

[kevin.303]

ohh umm, i hate being broke!!! contact me in 2 months!

 

[countree boy]

Using Steel Shot in any Safe shotgun.

If you want to use steel shot in an A5 or any other safe shotgun for that matter, have the choke opened to Modified, I have done hundreds of them, they work well, also still works well with lead loads for pheasants etc.
check this website, jenningsoutdoorsports.com

Hope you have Great hunting, countree boy,