gatman 0 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Hi guys. Fairly new to shotguns and am thinking of getting a Browning 525 12g. Can someone explain what the essential differences are between a Sporter and Game versions of shotguns in general ? Paul. Quote Link to post
SportingShooter 0 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 In practical terms, there is no noticeable difference between either, they're just for different targets. In terms of Over and Unders then you'd be hard pressed to find a difference between a game or sporter. The only difference there may be is a slightly wider rib and longer barrels on a sporter than a game gun. The sight picture will be just the same. A sporter is designed with clays in mind, a game gun as the name suggests, for game species. Quote Link to post
walshie 2,804 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 As far as I'm aware a game gun has an automatic safety too. Quote Link to post
trenchfoot 4,243 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 All the above reply. Some gunmakers also have different stock dimensions and shapes for sporters and game guns. Also game guns tend to be a little lighter. Quote Link to post
Born Hunter 17,780 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I believe Sporter models are designed with a higher shooting intensity in mind so weigh a little more and have recoil pads. The balance is more towards the stock than barrels due to slightly chunkier woodwork. In reality there is little difference. That's my understanding anyway... Many many people use Sporter models for game and clays as many do Field/Game models. Quote Link to post
WILF 47,224 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Buy what fits you best and don't worry to much about what it's called.......as long as you are hitting most of what you fire it at then that's the main job 1 Quote Link to post
Born Hunter 17,780 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 "as long as you are hitting most of what you fire it at..." Hmmm, I knew I should have bought the Field model over the Sporter! Quote Link to post
Alsone 789 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Personally if you're doing a mix, I'd buy a Sporter. Game guns are fraction lighter, but the twist is that lighter = more recoil. A Sporter is slightly heavier but the extra weight in the form of inertia, helps absorb the recoil. The other slight differences have been covered above. A sporter is pretty much suitable for most applications other than trap and you'll find that most people on game shoots (apart from the very poshest), using O/U's are actually using Sporters. Quote Link to post
urbanfly 11 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Both my guns are field guns my silver pigeon s is 28" barrels and tbh I don't notice the recoil from that but my aya no2 kicks like a mule Quote Link to post
trenchfoot 4,243 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Both my guns are field guns my silver pigeon s is 28" barrels and tbh I don't notice the recoil from that but my aya no2 kicks like a mule If it kicks and you are using sensible loads the AYA doesn't fit you Quote Link to post
gatman 0 Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Thanks for the info. guys. Think I'll get a 525 Sporter with 30" barrels Paul. Quote Link to post
bird 9,938 Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Weight. If you were shooting pigeons in a hide , a sporter if you're walking up grouse all day a game gun. I had a b 680 great if you're taking lots of shots, as it takes some of the recoil out. If I bought another gun it would be for walked up stuff so I'd get a game or light version of another style. Until you've carried a heavy sporter across your arm for a whole day's marching, you'd go for one every time. I guess I'd advise a light sporter! true, ive got 686 B/12g use for pigeons ,clays, and have used it for the odd day on rough shoots , and it done all jobs no prob. But your right carry it for 6-7 hours walking gun on shoots or rough shooting , and you know about it. yeh light sporter the way to go Quote Link to post
oxo 455 Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I have a 525 sporter, cracking gun and use it for everything. Have a old Baikal sxs I use if the weathers shit Quote Link to post
urbanfly 11 Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Both my guns are field guns my silver pigeon s is 28" barrels and tbh I don't notice the recoil from that but my aya no2 kicks like a mule If it kicks and you are using sensible loads the AYA doesn't fit you Ok a mule is not the best way to say but I feel the punch more so from the sbs which is also expected, it may not fit me right but I'd still not sell it or change it, it's a 1974 gun and been in the family all its life comes with a history of stories so I'm honoured to now shoot it, 1 Quote Link to post
trenchfoot 4,243 Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Both my guns are field guns my silver pigeon s is 28" barrels and tbh I don't notice the recoil from that but my aya no2 kicks like a muleIf it kicks and you are using sensible loads the AYA doesn't fit you Ok a mule is not the best way to say but I feel the punch more so from the sbs which is also expected, it may not fit me right but I'd still not sell it or change it, it's a 1974 gun and been in the family all its life comes with a history of stories so I'm honoured to now shoot it, They are a v.nice gun and with that conection, I don't blame you for keeping it But to enjoy it to its best, it may be worth having a gunfitter run his eye over the two of you Quote Link to post
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