A5 Magnum

[echo1]

Hi Gunners,

I've got a '75 Belgium Browning A5 Magnum. The barrel say "SPECIAL STEEL".

Does that mean I can shoot steel shot in it? Thanks, PAX

[CartridgeCalls]

Yes it does. Shoot the heck out of it.

[BOBGBA]

I probably wouldn't do it.

How is the barrel choked?
What size steel shot are you going to use and how fast are the shells in feet per second?

Here's a quick read.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/steel_shot.htm

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by echo1

Hi Gunners,

I've got a '75 Belgium Browning A5 Magnum. The barrel say "SPECIAL STEEL".

Does that mean I can shoot steel shot in it? Thanks, PAX

Originally Posted by CartridgeCalls

Yes it does. Shoot the heck out of it.

NO - that's NOT what that means! "Special Steel" is an old moniker for the type of steel they were manufactured with..

you can pour over hundreds of threads on the subject where certain loads have worked for some folks and many others that got the bulge..

either way, this is what Browning has to say;

Can I shoot steel shot in my Browning shotgun?

3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used.

your '75 is at or near the end of Herstal production but I would consider it in this Belgian category like any others until proven otherwise..

personally I would buy a good modern Miroku barrel the appropriate length and choke system for steel work and never look back..

good luck!

[JagerDog]

"Special steel" has nothing to do with the shot material.

It's just a trade name for their alloy of "fluid steel".

Browning recommends against using steel shot. That said, there's thousands of guns that worked just fine with steel shot though not designed for it. Most duck hunters didn't go out and buy new guns when steel/non-tox became the rule. The first ones replaced were those without 3"(or 3.5") capability. Single barrels did better than doubles. The solder between barrels was the "weak link". Occasionally ribs would shoot loose of singles.

I'd stay away from big shot with full choke. The safest option is to install a Japanese barrel with Invector chokes. These are all steel shot compatible per mfg.

[echo1]

Thanks Killer. I just got it and was curious. PAX

[W.R.Buchanan]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

"Special steel" has nothing to do with the shot material.

It's just a trade name for their alloy of "fluid steel".

Browning recommends against using steel shot. That said, there's thousands of guns that worked just fine with steel shot though not designed for it. Most duck hunters didn't go out and buy new guns when steel/non-tox became the rule. The first ones replaced were those without 3"(or 3.5") capability. Single barrels did better than doubles. The solder between barrels was the "weak link". Occasionally ribs would shoot loose of singles.

I'd stay away from big shot with full choke. The safest option is to install a Japanese barrel with Invector chokes. These are all steel shot compatible per mfg.

This Right Here!!!! ^^^^ and make sure you get one that is for a 3" Magnum as a 2 3/4 chamber won't work on your gun, you probably won't find one with Invector Chokes but you can have the barrel threaded for them which would be another way to go. Unfortunately Browning A5 Barrels are not cheap and especially now.

A much cheaper way to go is to just NOT shoot Steel Shot. There are several alternatives which even though they are relatively expensive compared to regular ammo, are considerably cheaper than a Browning Barrel which will run from $250 to 600+ on Ebay. If you reload you can make shooting these loads more cost effective, however if you are only going to hunt with them a few times a year it may not be worth messing with. If you would fire less than 2 boxes 50 rounds,,, you'd be way ahead to just buy Bismuth or other Non Toxic ammo.

Randy