Sporting clays and trap are two different shotgun disciplines. We will explore both in this two-part series, and look at over/under models from Browning specifically created for each discipline.
by Jace Bauserman
Trap and Sporting Clays are two different shotgun disciplines. In Trap, the shooter toes a line, typically 16 yards behind a house that will electronically fire a clay target. The shooter pre-mounts the shotgun, uses a more rigid upright stance, and calls for the bird. The bird flies fast, rising up and moving away from the shooter. The goal of the shooter is to break the bird hard while it’s rising. Rounds of 25 are typical. Trap shooters see only the edges of the clay bird. They have no view of the top (typically orange) dome or black underbelly.
In Sporting Clays, shooters move through a course that simulates shots hunters would encounter in the field. Hence the “Sporting” name. In some cases, the shots are ultra-difficult, rivaling trick shooting. Each target presentation is different, where in trap, each target presentation is the same. Clay targets are launched from machines in various directions, angles, and speeds. The intention is that each target represents a game bird or even a running-across-the-ground rabbit.
Recently, I sat down with Browning’s Shotgun Product Manager, Tim Frampton. Tim knows a lot about over/under shotguns, trap, and sporting clays. We talked about the differances of the two disciplines and why Browning makes over/under models specific to each dicipline.
Here’s the 411 on Browning’s Sporting Clay over/under shotguns.
Browning, a well-known over/under shotgun builder, has come far since the introduction of the break-action Superposed, which was designed by John Browning and later finished by Val Browning.
Brought to market in 1931, two years after the Great Depression, the Superposed proved popular with American shooters and hunters seeking aspirational firearms. Today, collectors and shotgun enthusiasts around the globe still seek them.
The design of the Superposed paved the way for the Browning Citori, which came on the heels of the Superposed. During its tenure at the top, Citori models have come in various types and styles. Most recently, Browning’s 725 Citori line was replaced by the 825, and with summer in full swing, we thought it good to go over a few popular Citori 825 Sporting models and what makes them so popular with those who bust flying orange discs.
For this, I went to Browning’s Tim Frampton. Tim is the Shotgun Products Manager and knows more than most about the new Citori 825 Over/Under line. Honestly, I’ve never spoken to a more knowledgeable, straightforward product manager who is more passionate.
There are four sporting models: the 825 Sporting, 825 Sporting with Adjustable Comb, 825 Pro Sporting with Pro Fit Adjustable Comb, and 825 Golden Clays Sporting.
JB: What makes the entry level 825 Sporting ideal?
TF: If you look at our website, you’ll notice the specs for all our Sporting models are the same. All feature the same length, drop at comb, length of pull, etc. Of course, we build out from there. Models like the Golden Clays and Sporting with Adjustable Comb and Pro Sporting with Pro Fit Adjustable Comb allow comb-height adjustment. Adjustable comb height allows for a personalized fit, enabling shooters to change their POI.
All our Sporting models come with a 50/50 POI, which means half the pattern above and half the pattern below the target, but some shooters want a 60/40 or even 70/30 POI. Plus, models preceding the entry-level Sporting have increased eye appeal and some other bells and whistles, but you can’t go wrong with the under $4K 825 Sporting. It makes an awesome sporting clays and skeet shotgun and will serve you well for upland pursuits if you choose to do that.
JB: What makes a sporting clays shotgun different?
TF: Sporting Clays is an enjoyable sport that originated in the late 1980s and has exploded in popularity. Many stages and target presentations emulate hunting situations, while others require borderline trick shooting.
Our Sporting models feature a longer pull length than our field guns. Sporting Clays is a fair-weather game. Hunting will expose the shooter to an array of weather conditions. You typically wear a light layer when shooting sporting clays and will have no trouble shouldering the shotgun. Go with a too-short length of pull combined with shooting 100s of rounds a day, and many shooters will hit themselves in the nose with the back of their thumb, which is highly distracting.
Sporting models also have different stock dimensions. We feature less drop at the heel and an increased palm swell that you don’t typically see on trap guns to provide a better fit and feel. Our right-hand and left-hand cast dimensions are also neutral. I’m a left-hand shooter, and I can pick up a right-hand 825 Sporting and shoot it great. With more neutral cast dimensions in the 825 Sporting, most shooters can pick up this shotgun and do well with it. It’s going to fit them, and then as they progress and decide the sport is for them and they want some more bells and whistles, they can upgrade.
I also want to point out the recoil pad on our Sporting models. We love the Inflex II pad and use it on other models like our A5 and Maxus II. We designed the pad with a non-rubbery, non-sticky, smooth surface that doesn’t hang up and is easy to shoulder. Don’t get me wrong, it absorbs recoil well, but it absolutely ensures you get your shotgun to your shoulder for a perfect mount.
TO READ A FULL FIELD TEST ABOUT BROWNING’S MAXUS II, CLICK HERE
In some sporting clay disciplines and sometimes by shooter choice, depending on the target presentation, the shooter must (or wants) call for the bird with the shotgun not shouldered. When the shooter shoulders the gun, they don’t want a sticky recoil pad that prevents hang-up.
JB: I noticed the Sporting models feature a flat rib with a mid-rib; why?
TF: Honestly, it’s more of a style choice. Ten to 15 years ago, tall ribs were more popular with skeet and sporting clay shotguns, but now the trend is a low and long sight plane.
All of our shotguns have a floating rib. The Pro and Golden Clay models have a wider rib at the rear and narrower at the front. The design boosts focus—fat in the rear and thin up front to focus peripheral vision where your muzzle is.
Posts are soldered to the barrel with a dovetail that slides onto corresponding posts soldered to the barrel to allow the rib to flex but remain rigid. On a hot day, when you burn through shotshells, you won’t get any deformation, and you can stay focused and on target shot after shot.
The mid-rib between the barrels allows for increased airflow. Sure, it makes the shotguns a little lighter, which is good, but it also helps cool the barrels during high-volume activity like skeet or sporting clays.
JB: What kind of sights did you add to the Sporting models?
TF: We have worked with HIVIZ for a very long time. Our front sight is an HIVIZ that comes with seven or eight sight pipes in different colors and thicknesses. We want to give shooters options and customization.
We also have a mid-bead that works in concert with the front sight. This is more for when you mount your gun. When you first learn to shoot, mounting your gun properly is critical. If you mount your gun and your front sight and mid-bead align, you’re doing a good job of mounting your shotgun consistently.
JB: What about the barrels and chokes?
TF: Total Barrel Dynamics is a combination of lengthened forcing cones in front of the chamber that are tapered and allow the shot to enter the bore of the barrel gradually. Our twelve-gauge models are back-bored to .725 thousandths SAMI. At one time, this back-boring number was an aftermarket deal. We offer it stock to ensure better patterns and lighter recoil.
The Invector DS choke tubes are awesome. They have a double-seal system: a threaded seal on one end and a brass seal on the other to ensure an exact fit and reduce debris flowing into the bore. You get a wide range of choke constrictions when you purchase a Sporting model.
The extended choke tubes look great, but they also have a longer parallel section of the choke tube that sticks into the bore. It starts wide open but then constricts down. Longer parallel sections produce better patterns.
JB: What about the finish on 825 Sporting models?
TF: Our most expensive sporting clay shotgun is the 825 Golden Clays Sporting at $6,599.99. You won’t find a better-looking over/under with all the goods to put you on the podium for under $10K. I’m incredibly proud of the exceptional finish on all of our 825 Sporting shotguns. The receiver is slimmer with better lines, and on the Sporting, I love the matte look more than the polished gloss. The low-profile receiver wears a rugged silver nitride-plated metal that has proved to be a durable surface that improves longevity over blued steel. It doesn’t rust or gall easily, and all the receiver components have a nice finish.
The forearm also saw some improvements. The forearm on our sporting clay shotguns has a more standard center profile that matches a field gun style. We avoided the big, thick forearms that are more common on trap guns.
On our Citori 725 models, we had what we called a tulip forearm. On the 825, we rounded the edge so there was no sharp edge and no rubbing raw of the fingers. The forearm latch was also redesigned. We increased the lever surface, made it bigger, and rounded the edges to look more like a whale tail. It makes the shotgun super easy to take down.
JB: Tell me about the new Fire Lite 2 Trigger.
TF: The trigger on our sporting models is impressive. Plus, each gun will come with three different triggers. The trigger is held in place with a set screw, which makes swapping easy. You can go with a narrow trigger, a canted model, or a wide and smooth trigger. Adjustable up to three positions, you can easily customize trigger fit and feel. Each trigger adjustment alters the shotguns LOP. If you move the trigger back toward the trigger guard, you shorten the LOP; if you move it forward, you lengthen the LOP.
This is the best trigger on an over/under shotgun for under $10K. It’s an upgraded version of our Fire Lite trigger, and it’s crisp, clean, and has a low pull weight. How a trigger works and breaks will tell you a lot about a gun. The FireLite 2 has a crisper, more reliable reset. The second barrel can be fired as soon as the trigger is pulled again after the first trigger pull. The delay mechanism has a higher pivot point, so it connects in a cleaner, quicker way for an improved second trigger pull. The trigger is mechanical, so it doesn’t use recoil to help it fire the second shot like recoil-actuated triggers do. Because the trigger doesn’t rely on inertia from the first shot, it resets mechanically and can handle extra light loads.
We offer an 825 Sporting model for every shooter at every level, and we are incredibly proud of our line of dedicated sporting clay/skeet shotguns.
