Browning B80 for Clay Pigeon shooting

[Argyle]

Hi all, an Englishman here.

I've been looking at picking up a Browning B80. Doing my homework, though, it's clear the ones with a 3 inch chamber do not cycle clay loads very well. What I want to know is, will the ones with 2 3/4 inch chambers cycle clay loads? Is there a limit to what shot load I should go down to?

Thanks for the help.

 

[kudu]

Welcome Argyle, sorry I can't definitely answer your question. I have never seen a B80 on a skeet or clays field, if they are out there, they are in the rare minority. Beretta autos, Remington 1100's/11-87's, a few Winchester SX 1's 2's and 3's and an occasional Browning Gold auto will be seen. The Berettas and Remingtons rule on clay ranges if you don't have an O/U shotgun.

Maybe someone else will be able to answer your question a bit more solidly. Again, welcome to the High Road.

 

[Virginian]

An acquaintance had one, and it digested 1 ounce promo loads without a hitch thru a lot of outings that I saw. Last I saw of him he still occasionally laments selling it as he has yet to find anything else he shoots as well..

 

[Argyle]

1 ounce is 28gms, correct? The shoot I frequent sells 27gm shells on site. Should it be able to cycle them?

Forgot to ask - I've been told the Browning B80's are not steel shot proofed. I'd only be using the gun for clay pigeon shooting, so are most clay loads lead?

 

[Argyle]

Should mention - the club I frequent sells 65mm (2 1/2 inch) shells, with either 27 or 28gm loads (can't remember exactly which). Should I be fine?

 

[Argyle]

Would a 27gm, 70mm Hull Superfast cycle a 2 3/4 chamber B80? Or is it just a little too light?

 

[Jim Watson]

Are you talking about the gas operated B80 made in the early 1980s? I do not see where they have reused the model number.
http://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/b-80-automatic-shotgun.html

If so, look at page 15 in the owner's manual. There is a part that will have to be installed on guns made before 1986 to enable them to shoot light target loads.
http://www.browning.com/content/dam/browning/support/owners-manuals/b80-om-s.pdf

The only one I know of here came in to my neighbor the gunsmith. Browning requested he send it in for them to service and they enlarged the gas ports to get it to function on light loads.

Best practice would be to demand a test fire with the ammunition of your choice before you paid.

 

[Argyle]

Yes, that's the gun I'm talking about. I'm only looking for ones with a 2 3/4 chamber, though, so shouldn't a recoil adapter have have been installed as standard (according to the guide?).

 

[Jim Watson]

Not entirely clear, it seems a 2 3/4" SHOULD have come with a "recoil adapter"; but it would be smart to open it up and look.

 

[SwaneeSR]

I have a B80, an early one, 30" 3"chamber, fixed full choke. Bought it while in high school for waterfowl in the early 80's. Last summer I purchased a 28" barrel with a modified choke online, still with the 3" chamber. Both my barrels have the small gas ports and will not quite cycle low brass shells.

The 2 3/4 models should cycle normal low brass. The 3" barrels will not.

B80's were Brownings made from Berreta 300 parts. They are kind of like the Berreta 302+ and share the parts and the barrels are interchangeable.

You could modify the gas ports. The problem is that unlike new shotguns, you could allow the action to cycle too hard and damage the shotgun. You could also change the recoil spring in the stock. That is the better option for us 3" chamber owners.

If the one you purchase is a 2 3/4" barrel, it will have the recoil adapter and should cycle the lighter loads.

Swanee