Browning BPS question

I just received a Browning BPS 12 gauge (the 'Hunter' model) from my Uncle. It is only a couple years old - rarely shot. He has the stock 26' vent rib barrel with it, and was using it with slugs for deer (he also has a scope mounted on it). My question is, I thought the vent rib barrels were only for shooting shot, not slugs - Is that true?

And, does anyone know if you can get a rifled slug barrel (cantilever scope mount) for the BPS? I would like to turn this into a multi-use gun if possible...Granted, a Browning barrel will probably cost me an arm and a leg - I'll probably call or email Browning and ask, but you know how that stuff goes, could be a while before someone responds...

Thanks for the help -

I like my BPS and have both a 22' barrel with choke tubes and a 30' full (very full) choke barrel but when thinking of a slug gun I like the idea of the single shots like the NEF. Probably cheaper than the barrel and scope mount for the BPS.

***It all depends on the barrel in question. Does it have choke tubes? If so, he probably shot slugs with an IC choke in it. I used to do a lot of slug hunting with an old High Standard 12 gauge shotgun, choked modified and it shot deer, ducks, geese, pheasants and rabbits just fine. You shouldn't try shooting slugs through any more restrictive choke than modified. (At least, that's what I've always been told)

Your local gun dealer can probably order one for you. There are several aftermarket barrel companies that make barrels for BPS shotguns. Whether they have the cantilever scope mount or not, I dunno. But I know that Hastings make a good barrel, at least my friend's Rem. 870 shoots slugs fantastically with a Hastings barrel.

some correction - it's a 1986 BPS (sat in a box for years)- doesn't have the invector plus barrel (which I think means it isn't back bored..). I called Browning, and you can get a rifled choke ($40 or so) for it, or buy a cantiliever scope mount rifled barrel ($300 or so)...

I'm not sure which would be the best way to go, so any advice on that would be appreciated..

Thanks,

Uncle. It is only a couple years old - rarely shot. He has the stock 26' vent rib barrel with it, and was using it with slugs for deer (he also has a scope mounted on it). My question is, I thought the vent rib barrels were only for shooting shot, not slugs - Is that true? And, does anyone know if you can get a rifled slug barrel (cantilever scope mount) for the BPS?

Congratulaitons on a great, if heavy, shotgun. Does it have screw-in choke tubes? If so, find out if it takes Invector or Invector Plus type first and you can look around for a rifled tube for it. I found an Invector rifled tube at Cabelas a few years back. This won't help with the sights but even with the bead, it's accurate out to 50 yards.

HTH,

I looked at it last night - no threads on the muzzle end of the barrel...I wonder if my uncle cut it off? the barrel is definitely the Browning field model 26' barrel...I'll measure it when I get home tonight and see...but, no threads, no chokes...

I think that solves my dilemna - would need to buy the slug barrel...

so, the questions now are:

1. Cantiliver mount or not (I have the B-Square mount for it)?

2. Do I spend $300 for the Browning barrel, or get a Hastings or something like that for $250?

Yup - the gun is heavy...

God bless,

***Look at the barrel, does it have any markings on it that indicate if it's choked mod., imp. cyl., full? Improved Cylinder would probably shoot slugs fairly decently. Only some time at the range would tell you that though. If the barrel has a ventilated rib, you could simply install some clamp on fiber optic sights and have a pretty good shooter.

***Don't know about that, if you already have the B-Square, why not?

***Save the $50 and get the Hastings. Everything that I've heard about their barrels has been good.

***You'll appreciate that weight when you start shooting 3' magnum shells. Nothing kicks worse than a lightweight 12 gauge shotgun and 3' slugs.

Good luck,

Steve wrote >

Their are markings - it's an improved cylinder...

The only reason I was considering getting a rifled barrel (Cant. mount) was to expand the range and improve accuracy, while allowing me to shoot shot through the current barrel without taking the B-square mount off - but without the ability to have screw in chokes, my uses with the fixed I.C barrel are limited..

That's good - if I go with the new rifled barrel, I will probably get the Hastings and use the $50 for the swivel and sling so I can lug this gun around a little easier!!

I've been reading the archives to determine whether or not the 3' mags are beneficial...seems they may be - I will do some shooting in the next week or two and try it out...need to try a few brands of shells to see what's what.

Thank you for your help!! I appreciate it... God bless,