New Barrels ?

[Pete]

Hi,

Would appreciate your views on this...I've been shooting for many years
and bought a Browning 325 about three years ago. Been reasonably happy
with it, its got 32 inch barrels with no venting, there was a suggestion
at this mornings shoot that I'd be better with 30' vented being a bit
lighter and more agile. Now the question.....

Is there likely to be an viable option to buy a new set of barrels for
my existing gun or is the price likely to be prohibitive? Anyone any
experience of this I wonder...also I'm interested in anyone else who
shoots 32' and your thoughts, I stand about 6'2" and found the longer
stock on this browning seemed to fit well...originally I thought the
longer barrels suited me and the gun but now I'm not so sure...

Otherwise its a case of off to the local dealers and look for a new
gun...not sure what I'm likely to have to put to mine but seems a shame
given I'm otherwise happy with the gun...I am shooting sporting clays btw...

Comments appreciated..

Thanks in advance

Pete
Derbys

[newsreader]

Might be cheaper to take it to gunsmith and get him to balance it by
putting some lead in the butt. At 6-2 I expect the overall weight would
still be fine for you ? I had this done to a 425 I have and it
transformed the handling - doesn't more like my winchester but it moves
a lot lot better than it did.
I take the balance point is a bit forward at the moment ?

Post by Pete
Hi,
Would appreciate your views on this...I've been shooting for many years
and bought a Browning 325 about three years ago. Been reasonably happy
with it, its got 32 inch barrels with no venting, there was a suggestion
at this mornings shoot that I'd be better with 30' vented being a bit
lighter and more agile. Now the question.....
Is there likely to be an viable option to buy a new set of barrels for
my existing gun or is the price likely to be prohibitive? Anyone any
experience of this I wonder...also I'm interested in anyone else who
shoots 32' and your thoughts, I stand about 6'2" and found the longer
stock on this browning seemed to fit well...originally I thought the
longer barrels suited me and the gun but now I'm not so sure...
Otherwise its a case of off to the local dealers and look for a new
gun...not sure what I'm likely to have to put to mine but seems a shame
given I'm otherwise happy with the gun...I am shooting sporting clays btw...
Comments appreciated..
Thanks in advance
Pete
Derbys

[David Christensen]

Post by Pete
Is there likely to be an viable option to buy a new set of barrels for
my existing gun or is the price likely to be prohibitive?

According to my local tame gunsmith, when I asked him a similar question
when I had 30" and wanted an option of 32", no.

Post by Pete
Anyone any
experience of this I wonder...also I'm interested in anyone else who
shoots 32' and your thoughts, I stand about 6'2" and found the longer
stock on this browning seemed to fit well...originally I thought the
longer barrels suited me and the gun but now I'm not so sure...

I'm 6'3". I used to shoot a 30" browning 425 and got a hankering for 32"
barrels (mainly because every instructor I had took one look at me and
said "you'll be on 32" barrels in a year"). I got a Browning 525 with 32"
barrels and loved it. Initially I kept the 30" thinking I would use it
for skeet, but first time out trying the 32" on skeet I shot a personal
best, so I sold the 30" and never looked back.

Post by Pete
Otherwise its a case of off to the local dealers and look for a new
gun...not sure what I'm likely to have to put to mine but seems a shame
given I'm otherwise happy with the gun...I am shooting sporting clays btw...

I have to wonder what somebody said to you on one shoot that made you
think you need to change a gun you've been happy with for 3 years! Was it
anyone *qualified* to put you off your gun, or just someone shooting the
breeze?

If you are convinced - for whatever reason - it is time for a new gun, I
would recommend picking up a 32" 525 before you get too stuck on the idea
of 30" barrels. They did something with the balance between my 425 30"
and my 525 32" which makes the 525 feel just as nimble as the the old 425
was. The missus never used to be able to swing my 425 with any ease, but
she's much happier with the longer 525, for example.

And remember even if the gun feels right, your averages will take a dive
for a while when you change guns almost certainly. My 525 felt better in
every way to me than my 425; they were both fitted to me; but my sporting
scores dropped 15% overnight and took about 8 months to overtake where I
was with the old gun.

DC