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Browning A5: Which is best for trap shooting?

truegger
I am going to buy a Browning A5 shotgun, one made in Belgium in the 50's or 60's. I have seen a number of different variations and would like to get some advice on what would be best for casual trap shooting. So any advice on the below variables would be appreciated:

Barrel length: I've seen everything from 26" to 30"
Choke: Full or modified
Weight: Light or standard
Rib: Solid or ventilated

If I get on that is capable of firing 3" rounds can I also fire 2.75" rounds in it?

Thanks for any assistance.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • golferboy426
    I love those guns and collect them . I have many, many, many. That said it is a terrible choice for even casual trap. The recoil is excessive after many shots. I also shot trap over 10,000 shots per year. That said if you insist buy a vent rib for sure and I'd go with more more than a modified choke, not full. I shoot all my 16 yd trap with improved cylinder and average over 98. The longer the barrel the better both for weight, swing and sight plane. The standard is more weight so it helps the recoil but I like the LT 12 handling characteristics better. Feels what you like better. Trap is a rising bird and the A5 shoots flat at best so it is easy to shoot under the bird. A 3 inch gun will likely not eject normal light weight target loads but since you only load one at a time you could manual cycle.

    On the trap line fellow shooters hate empties throw their way and there is no easy way to stop that but most times a stout rubber band or 2 will work
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  • drl50
    Commonly, most trap guns are standard weight with long vent rib barrels (30 or 32"), and full chokes. The recoil operated A5 is/was not generally known as a favorite for trap but yes, you can shoot 2 3/4" in the 3 inch" magnum if you set the O-rings for light loads (get a users manual or download one for instructions).
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  • yoshmyster
    quote:Originally posted by golferboy426
    That said it is a terrible choice for even casual trap. The recoil is excessive after many shots.

    Seen Gunny on "Lock N Load" on the shotgun got beat up on that. It was on youtube and the guy went by Spam(something) who did the loading.

    Usually when I go to my Monterey gun shop the wall has three of them.

    I'd get me a Bennelli.
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  • 22hipower
    I too very much enjoy using the A5; in all three gauges. However, have to agree with golferboy that the A5 is not a great choice for trap. You can't beat a Sweet Sixteen in a pheasant field though. If I were going to shoot trap with an A5 it likely would be a 3 inch magnum version with a 30 inch VR barrel in modified or full choke. If I were buying a Browning though for trap it would be a Belgian Superposed or one of the more recent Citori sporting models such as the 325, 425, 525 or whatever the current models are. Shotgun prices appear to be quite depressed the past couple of years and I've picked up a couple almost new in the box 425s for under $1000. You'll be happy with the Superposed/Citori for trap and can save your A5s for bird hunting or sporting clays.
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  • Mobuck
    I can't recommend the A5 as a trap gun, either.
    I coached an FFA trap team in the 80's and one of the boys showed up with one. After one round, he was closing his eyes and yanking the trigger as soon as he yelled pull. I put him on my 870 with a 30" FC barrel and one of the magazine weights that came with the 3" mags back then. Within a couple of practices, he was over the flinch and shooting well enough. Even an experienced shooter like myself doesn't care for the "aftershock" generated by this gun. In addtion, most aren't stocked appropriately for trap shooting.
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  • truegger
    Guys, thanks for all your advice on this. I've got a Remington 870 and that is what I have used for trap until now. I may still buy an A5 but but now I'm under no illusions as to what I can do with it.

    Thanks again for responding to my post and for your input!

    Tony
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by truegger
    Guys, thanks for all your advice on this. I've got a Remington 870 and that is what I have used for trap until now. I may still buy an A5 but but now I'm under no illusions as to what I can do with it.

    Thanks again for responding to my post and for your input!

    Tony


    You can't ever go wrong by having too many...there is no such thing. A Browning A5 is almost welcome into any collection...especially a Belgium made one.

    Best
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