Browning Auto-5

[ViPER395]

I was loaned one of these scatterguns the other day, and was wondering if anyone else has one and how they shoot with various ammo. Looks like the barrel is 28 or 30"

What choices of ammo do I have for this bad boy. It is built in the late-40s, early-50s, serial number B3xxxx and has "SPECIAL STEEL - 12 GAUGE - SHELLS 2-3/4""

I realize I need to go buy 2-3/4 inch shells, but could I shoot buckshot thru this? How about steel shot?

I don't know much about shotguns, but I know a little about chokes. Looking down the bbl with a light at the other end, it changes at the last 3 inches. Not drastically. Would this (I assume some sort of integral choke) hinder my use of buckshot, or anything?

Any help is appreciated.

[ViPER395]

no dice?

[rue]

Hi Viper,
It should be stamped into the side of the barrel where it meets the reciever on the left side what barrel it is and if it's choked or not. I have the cylinder bore on mine and was told by calling Remington after they looked up the serial number I could shoot lead or steel through it no problem. Hope that helps.

[ViPER395]

The only thing on the bbl that I can't interpret is "SPECIAL STEEL"

I just want to know if I can run buckshot thru it. Can you run buckshot thru most shotguns?

Anyhow, I shot this thing today. t's old, and I think the recoil pad is gotten hard. It hurt the hell out of my shoulder, even though it has a thick pad. It doesn't feel like it gives as much as it should (like the one on my ought6 does)

I got some Winchester AA shells and it ran them fine. Tore apart some cans and some toys that someone shot up before me. No problems, and for irons (i'm blind) and being a shotgun (only shot one once before in my life) I did pretty good.

[JPglee1]

You can run lead buckshot thru any choke as far as I know, slugs are a different story.... #4 - 00 Buck should be fine.

I used to have an A-5...stupidist move I made was to sell that, at least collecting wise lol

Good luck

J

[Sydwaiz]

Auto 5s are great guns. There should be asterisks and/or underscores (*,_) near the chamber. These tell you what choke it is.

Full *
Improved Modified *-
Modified**
Improved Cylinder **-
Skeet **S-
Cylinder ***

And yes, lead buckshot is fine.

[sargenv]

The one thing I'd be concerned about is if you have the Light 12 model or the beefier standard or magnum model. Dad had 3 Belgium Auto-5's that were the light model. He used them for duck hunting and his load for a long time was the 3 3/4 dram - 1 1/4 ounce of 4's. He bought a few cases of the 1 1/2 ounce 2's and 4's and ran into problems even setting the gun on it's heavier setting. He broke a bolt and was told that it was not made for such a heavy load. He went back to the old standby load after that. Soon after that he retired his auto-5's and moved on to more modern shotguns.

Depending on when the auto-5 was built, if it was built before steel shot became common, I'd reccomend against shooting steel through it. If it is a recent manufacture, then it's probably ok for steel shot use.

It is likely ok with buckshot of any size and slugs only if the choke is improved or larger (Improved, skeet, or cylinder).

[ViPER395]

I don't think it's a Belgian model. As good as I could look up it was built in the late 40's or early 50's by Remington.

As for markings, its doesn't say Light or Magnum.

The only markings on the bbl are:

top of bbl near chamber: "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS, MO"

bolt side, right at the reciever, the bbl has stamped three little notches, and an L and two T's. "\\\ L TT" or somthing.

non-bolt side it says " * SPECIAL STEEL 12 GAUGE SHELLS 2-3/4""

no mention of any choke or "modified" or "cylinder" or anything.

I didn't plan on shooting steel or slugs, just maybe some buckshot. So far i've only shot #8. Worked like a dandy. Kicks like a mule.

[Sydwaiz]

See my earlier post. That is a full choke barrel.

[ViPER395]

See my earlier post. That is a full choke barrel.

Ahhh. I got it. It won't say "FULL *"

It will just be the asterisk. "*"

Ok. Thanks. That's what happens when I read this stuff first thing in the morn.

[-hanko]

Ahhh. I got it. It won't say "FULL *"

It will just be the asterisk. "*"

Ok. Thanks. That's what happens when I read this stuff first thing in the morn.

You can shoot buckshot; stick with standard power loads. I wouldn't shoot slugs unless you have an cylinder or improved cylinder bore. I would not think of shooting steel shot. You can call Browning--they'll tell you when the gun was made and if it can shoot steel.

You can download the a5 field service manual here...http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/...service-manual ...read the part about adjusting the recoil system for hot or mild loads...important you do this to keep the gun cycling correctly and avoiding excess wear.

A5's are great guns...wife has a light 20, I have a light 12. Wouldn't mind finding a Sweet 16

-hanko