Gun review
The changes to this version of the popular over-and-under are both cosmetic and functional, says Michael Yardley; it is a gun he would consider buying
THE Browning 725 has developed a considerable following since it was launched in Hungary in December 2011. It is a gun now liked by both clay and field shooters. The 725 was a clever re-engineering exercise. It retained many positive features of the B25/525 but with a lower action height and changes to the action sculpturing and choking system. The shoulders and fences were remodelled and there was a new shape of top lever. The 725 introduced new ‘DS’ (Double Seal) interchangeable chokes that incorporated a rear copper-banded seal and a forward thread. The gun, however, retained classic Browning bolting and a full-width cross/hinge pin (to be contrasted to the trunnion hinging of Beretta and Perazzi). The 725 was lower in the action than any previous Browning superposed-inspired over-and-under. It gained an improved trigger mechanism and barrels that were lighter, re-profiled and back-bored.
The changes to the latest Sporter version featured here are both cosmetic and functional. It has a new matt-blacked finish to barrels, trigger guard, fore-end and iron and top-lever, and an action without decoration, all features that will appeal to clay shooters. The blacking is non-reflective, so better for a competition gun. It also looks good. The wavy lines that adorned the sidewalls on the action body are now absent. I like my competition guns plain and functional, so this one ticks those boxes.
There are important modifications to the stock and grip shapes, and new fore-end options. The test gun has a schnabel foreend and a wider trap fore-end is a no-cost alternative. The comb on the latest 725 is re-profiled and 2mm to 3mm slimmer. I think this is a positive, although I thought it might have had a little more taper in its form. The grip has also been slimmed significantly but there is a prominent palm swell that has been repositioned. Palm swells are not my thing and this one did not suit especially well. Nevertheless, it might easily be removed or modified. I was, however, happily surprised by how good the wood figure was for a base-grade gun and it is nicely finished with competent chequering and a semi-matt oil to the American walnut. The dark colouring was also a positive.
Moving on to stock measurements, the drop on this new Sporter should be 36mm and 56mm; my old imperial bend-stick came up with 1⅜in at the front of the comb and 2¼in to the rear. This is typically Browning but for my money just a little high at the front and a little low at the back. I found it possible to lose the bead at higher elevations with normal cheek pressure and it also creates a greater angle than is necessary against the face, which could increase felt recoil. My preference would have been 1⅜in and 2⅛in or a classic 1½in and 2in. The stock has only slight cast as well. When I put the gun up to the right shoulder, I was looking just left of the 10mm rib.
Barrels on the 725 are monobloc. They are presented to the firm’s usual high standards; 3in-chambered, they are proofed in Liege, fleur-de-lys, for steel. The ventilated sighting rib has a shallow centre channel and mid bead, joining ribs are ventilated, too, save the area under the fore-end (a common weight-saving measure). The barrels are both back-bored at 18.7mm – an ideal dimension for a clay gun. The barrels are exceptionally straight and well presented internally with longer than average forcing cones and hard chromed chambers and bores. (Impending European legislation may mean that you won’t be able to get chrome bores in Eu-made guns. It wouldn’t apply to Japanese-made Brownings and Mirokus, however.)
When I mounted the new Sporter, it seemed quite heavy with a balance point about one-inch forward of the hinge pin (even with the re-profiled and lightened barrels). I might be tempted to introduce a little weight into the butt end. I prefer 30inbarrelled guns with a hinge-pin balance; for 32s my preference would be about one-inch forward as per the test gun (although much depends on the individual gun). The good news is that the test gun is equipped with the facility to add Browning ‘Pro-balance’ weights to the butt easily (and to the barrels should you need them). Tinkerers like me can play to their heart’s content to achieve a perfect balance.
There are important modifications to stock and grip shapes, and new fore-end options
TECHNICAL
Little has changed on the technical front. The cleverly modified B25/525 action is the same and the gun has the excellent new DS ‘Double Seal’ chokes: 100mm with the extension (80mm in the barrel),
relatively thin in profile and threaded forward. The new 725 has the impressive new mechanical trigger with improved internals offering crisper and lighter pulls as well as reduced trigger movement and lock time. There is an inertia safety sear within the mechanism. The trigger blade is adjustable for length of pull. Trigger pulls are set at about 3lb and feel fine with little obvious creep. The safety is non-auto but can be converted. The gun boasts an ‘In-flex II’ recoil pad made from a lightweight polymer, available in several sizes. The shapes of the pad impress with an ergonomically efficient
concave butt sole, including a good ‘bump’ below the heel. In my experience
it enhances mounting security at the shoulder. The toe is not too pronounced.
SHOOTING IMPRESSIONS
The gun was natural and instinctive to use, and I did not miss any of the first 30 or so mixed skeet, trap and Sporting targets at the Fennes shooting ground in Essex. The 725 was especially impressive
on longer crossers. It felt solid in the hands. It is nudging 7lb 14oz with 30in barrels. Balance is forward but the all-up
weight is ideal for a clay-busting tool. Trigger pulls were crisp. The action of the combined safety and barrel selector was positive if a little stiff. Function, generally,
was excellent. Some felt recoil was noticeable with the light 24gm Lyalvale
loads but not a major issue.
The right hand palm swell was too big for my average-sized hand and there was a tendency for the hand to be pushed forward. General handling and shooting characteristics were very good, however. And I thought the quality exceptionally good at the price point. This is a gun I
would seriously consider buying. There is an adjustable comb version, lefthanded and high rib models, including
an attractive, well-priced Grade 5.