Browning BPS and Slugs

ABowe · December 12, 2001, 11:01 AM

I looking at a BPS 12 gauge with 26" barrel. Nice gun and being I shoot left-handed the bottom ejection is a plus. According to the Browning web site shooting slugs is not advisable. This may cause me to change my mind. I don't want to buy a separate rifled barrel. Any suggestions out there. Are the Ithaca barrels back-bored? Thanks in advance for any help.

Al

Dave McC · December 12, 2001, 12:24 PM

Ithaca Deerslayer bbls are like a tight full length, Full choke. Pre rifling, they were the best approach and gave excellent accuracy.

Al Thompson · December 12, 2001, 09:23 PM

http://www.browning.com/products/manuals/bps/bps.htm

Al, I looked at the website and could not find any problems with shooting slugs. I have a M37 Ithaca and it's the same gun. No problems here.

You will find that a clamp on set of sights helps immensely in getting accuracy from your SG.

Giz

Bam Bam · December 12, 2001, 11:06 PM

I have never shot slugs but Ted Nugent says that he uses slugs in his Browning for deer hunting in his book "God, Guns, and Rock and Roll." IIRC he even says it is a BPS.

Will Beararms · December 13, 2001, 02:02 AM

Just don't use the sabot slugs made for rifled shotgun barrels. The 26" BPS is one of the best balanced bird guns I have ever had the privilege to own and shoot.

JHG · December 15, 2001, 06:43 PM

http://www.browning.com/faqs/firearm...guns/qsh12.htm

This is a staement concerning slugs from Brownings Web Site.

Al Thompson · December 15, 2001, 10:06 PM

JHG's link mentions that Browning feels that back-bored shotguns should not use slugs. The BPS section states that all BPS shotguns except the Game guns are back bored. Ipso facto, I would not use slugs in a BPS.

Giz

JHG · December 16, 2001, 02:10 PM

I would think the best approach would be to buy a different barrel for smooth bore slug use such as the one listed below.

Deer Special
12 GA
20 1/2" Barrel
Browning Part #111-205323
$296.00
Cylinder
3"
Gloss

I am planning to call Browning tomorrow and find out what they suggest.
My guess is that since the barrels are back bored accuracy would be horrible with a slug. The barrel listed above is not back bored ( At least I do not think it is ) but I will let you know what Browning has to say. I own a BPS myself and it is a fine firearm.
-JHG-

JHG · December 19, 2001, 11:21 AM

I finally talked to Browning. They do not recommend slugs in the Backbore due to possible accuracy issues.
I am going to fire a few Foster's through my Backbored with an Improved Cylinder Choke and see what happens. (Film @ 11:00)
They do make an invector choke tube that is rifled for Sabot style slugs ($59.00)
They are supposed to call me back and let me know for sure about the barrel listed in the reply above. She did not think it was backbored.
-JHG-

Ned Christiansen · December 20, 2001, 10:08 PM

Accuracy with the backbore must surely be the only consideration, because the BPS is a very sturdy gun. I put no less than 500 slugs a year through mine for at least 8 years, not to mention at least that much buckshot. It has done me very well.

Adamantium · December 23, 2001, 11:30 PM

I actually got fairly good accuracy IMO out of my BPS. Mine is pretty much stock with just a sling and some clamp on fiber optic sights. When I took it out to my shooting place I was able to put within about 6 inches at 75 meters shooting freehand while being wet and cold. I was using the brenneke style PMC slugs, dunno if there would be a difference with the foster stlye slugs.

Sincerely,
Adam

December 12, 2001, 09:23 PM	#3
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	http://www.browning.com/products/manuals/bps/bps.htm Al, I looked at the website and could not find any problems with shooting slugs. I have a M37 Ithaca and it's the same gun. No problems here. You will find that a clamp on set of sights helps immensely in getting accuracy from your SG. Giz __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

December 13, 2001, 02:02 AM	#5
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Just don't use the sabot slugs made for rifled shotgun barrels. The 26" BPS is one of the best balanced bird guns I have ever had the privilege to own and shoot. __________________ "Without a rifle you are nothing, worthless, you are waiting for death, any minute, any second." -- Aron Bielski

December 15, 2001, 06:43 PM	#6
JHG Member Join Date: July 28, 1999 Posts: 24	http://www.browning.com/faqs/firearm...guns/qsh12.htm This is a staement concerning slugs from Brownings Web Site. __________________ Every day above ground is a good day!

December 15, 2001, 10:06 PM	#7
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	JHG's link mentions that Browning feels that back-bored shotguns should not use slugs. The BPS section states that all BPS shotguns except the Game guns are back bored. Ipso facto, I would not use slugs in a BPS. Giz __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

December 16, 2001, 02:10 PM	#8
JHG Member Join Date: July 28, 1999 Posts: 24	I would think the best approach would be to buy a different barrel for smooth bore slug use such as the one listed below. Deer Special 12 GA 20 1/2" Barrel Browning Part #111-205323 $296.00 Cylinder 3" Gloss I am planning to call Browning tomorrow and find out what they suggest. My guess is that since the barrels are back bored accuracy would be horrible with a slug. The barrel listed above is not back bored ( At least I do not think it is ) but I will let you know what Browning has to say. I own a BPS myself and it is a fine firearm. -JHG- __________________ Every day above ground is a good day!

December 12, 2001, 11:01 AM	#1
ABowe Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2000 Posts: 8	Browning BPS and Slugs I looking at a BPS 12 gauge with 26" barrel. Nice gun and being I shoot left-handed the bottom ejection is a plus. According to the Browning web site shooting slugs is not advisable. This may cause me to change my mind. I don't want to buy a separate rifled barrel. Any suggestions out there. Are the Ithaca barrels back-bored? Thanks in advance for any help. Al

December 12, 2001, 12:24 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Ithaca Deerslayer bbls are like a tight full length, Full choke. Pre rifling, they were the best approach and gave excellent accuracy.

December 12, 2001, 11:06 PM	#4
Bam Bam Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 842	I have never shot slugs but Ted Nugent says that he uses slugs in his Browning for deer hunting in his book "God, Guns, and Rock and Roll." IIRC he even says it is a BPS.

December 19, 2001, 11:21 AM	#9
JHG Member Join Date: July 28, 1999 Posts: 24	I finally talked to Browning. They do not recommend slugs in the Backbore due to possible accuracy issues. I am going to fire a few Foster's through my Backbored with an Improved Cylinder Choke and see what happens. (Film @ 11:00) They do make an invector choke tube that is rifled for Sabot style slugs ($59.00) They are supposed to call me back and let me know for sure about the barrel listed in the reply above. She did not think it was backbored. -JHG- __________________ Every day above ground is a good day!

December 20, 2001, 10:08 PM	#10
Ned Christiansen Junior Member Join Date: December 17, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 3	Accuracy with the backbore must surely be the only consideration, because the BPS is a very sturdy gun. I put no less than 500 slugs a year through mine for at least 8 years, not to mention at least that much buckshot. It has done me very well.

December 23, 2001, 11:30 PM	#11
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	I actually got fairly good accuracy IMO out of my BPS. Mine is pretty much stock with just a sling and some clamp on fiber optic sights. When I took it out to my shooting place I was able to put within about 6 inches at 75 meters shooting freehand while being wet and cold. I was using the brenneke style PMC slugs, dunno if there would be a difference with the foster stlye slugs. Sincerely, Adam __________________ New gun, same ol' shot.

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