The Browning A-Bolt Shotgun project probably could have been wrapped in a single installment, but downfalls of rain, sleet and snow alternated to render the chronograph inoperable or to make posting hundred yard targets a cross country skiing event. Anyway, we finally got a break.
| Ammunition Type | Length | Slug Weight |
Actual |
Actual Ft/Lbs |
3 Shot Group |
| Hornady SST | 2 3/4″ | 300 | 1813 | 2190 | 1 1/2 |
| Federal Vital Shok | 3″ | 438 | 1410 | 1934 | 1 1/4 |
| Remington AccuTip | 3″ | 385 | 1615 | 2230 | 1 3/4 |
| Actual based on 22″ barrel – 100 Yard groups | |||||
There is always a significant velocity disparity between rated and actual velocity of slug ammunition that is caused by ammunition manufacturers using a 30″ barrel to determine a velocity rating. Sabot slugs are optimized for a rifled barrel and that almost all rifled barrels are 22″ long. Subsequently, the Browning performed to all real world expectations.
You can’t shoot a slug gun without smiling. It’s like firing artillery and the holes left in targets are far from the precise little paper punched holes of even the biggest metallic cartridges. The A-Bolt shotgun is no exception; big roar, big shoulder push, big holes in targets. From a hunter’s perspective, the A-Bolt is a shotgun that instills confidence in being able to hit whatever game is in its sights.
The target pictured is the 1 3/4″ Remington group. It was the last of that ammo and, based on the other groups and how the rifle felt on discharge, the top shot is a shooter induced flyer. My guess is that there is at least a half inch more that could have been taken out of that group.
The notched rear sight is actually very good and the front bead is clearly visible. Out to fifty yards they worked well for me. Mounting an optical type sight works with a Weaver 419M front base and 47M rear. A red dot sight delivered about the same accuracy as the metallic sights, but it was a little faster. An old 3-9x Leupold scope with a custom reticle and 75 yard parallax setting was used to collect 100 yard group size data so that, reasonably, the shotgun’s capability was bring recorded and not that of my eyesight with metallic sights.
Closing comments…
I took something away from the project… a new respect for shotguns as tools for something beyond clays or bird hunting and something more than a state mandated compromise for bigger game. In this case, design, fit, finish, and feel of the Browning A-Bolt is commensurate with a good hunting rifle. Power is substantial and ballistics are at least on the order of a medium to larger bore woods rifles.
If there is an issue of feed and cycling with bolt action shotguns, you’d never know that based on the reliability and clean operation of the A-Bolt. It would be a heck of a gun for the heavily wooded areas of Maine during deer and bear season and certainly more than enough moose hunting. Excellent shotgun. Glad I had the opportunity to work with it. For more information regarding price and model specifics, visit Browning’s web site at www.Browning.Com.
Browning’s A-Bolt Shotgun Hunter 12 Gauge Part 1
Browning’s A-Bolt Shotgun Hunter 12 Gauge Part 2
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