Below is my review of the Browning BT-99, a break open single shot trapshooting shotgun.
Click here to buy the Browning BT-99 online
Until recently, a Remington 11-87 served as my trapshooting shotgun, and I was quite happy with it. Then, my fiancé started going trapshooting with me, and ended up really liking my 11-87 (due in part to the recoil-dampening effect of the gas piston system). So I decided to give it to her, and bought myself a BT-99. With that background information out of the way, here are my thoughts on the BT-99:
Basics
The Browning BT-99 is a single shot break open trapshooting shotgun, which comes in a few different models. Some have an adjustable stock and/or adjustable comb, and buyers can choose a 30″, 32″, or 34″ barrel. Weight will vary based upon the exact model, but my 34″ BT-99 with an adjustable comb tips the scales at 8 pounds 5 ounces, and has an overall length of 51 inches. Since the BT-99 is a trapshooting shotgun, and trapshooters don’t load or close their shotguns until seconds before they fire, the BT-99 neither has nor needs an external safety. Again, since this is a trap shotgun, the sights are set up so that the point of aim is just above the front sight, allowing the shooter to clearly see the clay target.
Build Quality
The BT-99 is one of the more expensive guns I own, and the quality seems to match the price. The break open action is smooth yet snug, and the trigger is crisp. Every piece fits where it should, and disassembly/reassembly requires little effort. The only thing I don’t like is that the wood on my BT-99 doesn’t seem to look quite as good as the wood on my previous 11-87. That really don’t matter much to me, and I fully recognize that the aesthetic properties of a gun’s stock are highly subjective. I also believe that I really lucked out on the food that came with my 11-87, since it looks far better than many other 11-87s I’ve seen. But, since the BT-99 did cost $500 more than the 11-87, I still think some slightly nicer wood should have been used. Leaving that aside, I’m quite happy with the build quality of the BT-99.
Adjustable Comb
The adjustable comb allows the stock to precisely fit against the shooter’s face, while providing an optimal sighting picture. Some of the more experienced trapshooters that I’ve spoken with find the adjustable comb to be one of the most important features of a trapshooting shotgun, and I’m now inclined to agree with that statement. The BT-99‘s comb is adjusted by inserting a 7/64″ Allen wrench into the stock, turning the key to loosen the comb, moving the comb into the desired position, and then locking it in place by again twisting the Allen wrench. This provides an easy yet secure system for adjusting the comb, and I appreciate that Browning used a standard Allen wrench (once of which is provided with the shotgun) for this adjustment. Should a shooter lose this Allen wrench, a trip to the local hardware store can replace it, without the need to order an expensive proprietary key and wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Reliability
Break open shotguns like the Browning BT-99 are known for their reliability, since there is simply less that can go wrong with them, compared to gas operated or even pump action shotguns. Although I bought the BT-99 rather recently, and haven’t fired that many shells through it yet, I can say that I experienced no problems thus far.
Accuracy
The first time I took my BT-99 trapshooting, I hit 22 out of 25 of the clay targets. This is better than I usually average, and especially pleasing since I managed to do pretty well while getting accustomed to a new shotgun. So far, I’m using the full Invector Plus choke that came with the BT-99, although I am considering switching to a modified choke.
Conclusion
The Browning BT-99 is a great trapshooting shotgun, and I highly recommend it. The break open action is simple and reliable, while the adjustable comb really help the gun to fit perfectly against the shooter’s face. For the price, I think the wood could look a little better, but that is not to say there is anything wrong with its appearance. All in all, there is no trapshooting shotgun in the BT-99’s price range which I would rather own.
I buy sell or trade a few firearms every year and I have several Brownings & a few are Belgium made however I definately will be keeping everyone of them.I once traded off a three shot A5. They just do not fit my arm & neck length and now I wish I had it back just for the value. One thing about Browning wood it is almost always different from one gun to another even though the models are the same.
If you look at a different BT-99 it will likely have a much different grain than yours. I bought two new .22 A-Bolts still in the boxes after browning stopped building them. I opened the first box & the rifle had the most beautiful wood on it. I could not have chosen better.I later sold the other rifle & when the buyer opened that box it was about the most common plainest wood I have ever seen on a Browning long gun.
I was unaware & embarrassed to say the least.
I have a preference for Brownings for I think they hold their popularity & their value but I in no way value them more than a model 12 or some other guns. I carry an old 20ga. John Stevens most times that I am hunting my little Beagles. That old saying "to each his own" says a lot about a man & his gun for he is keeping it for personal reasons whatever they may be.
I, too, own a BT-99 for trap. Recently, I took it to Wenig Custom Stocks and had them fit it to me with a custom stock. Though not cheap, a fitted stock is the best investment you can make for purposes of improving your accuracy and scores. I'd rather add a $1200 custom stock to a $1200 BT-99 than shoot a $4000 Blaser, Guerini, or Zoli off the shelf.
I bought a BT-99 in October 2010. The wood was great – nice color and grain and finish. The problem is the forearm (forestock) – it loosens. When I got it out of the box it was hard to re-install after the barrel was inserted in the receiver. Then after a few hundred rounds I noticed it was loose. I tightened the screws, one wood screw and one machine screw. then after a few hundred more rounds it looseded again and elongated the hole for the wood screw. I patched the wood screw hole and used blue loctite in the machine screw and it is holding after a thousand rounds. Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Thanks for your great help. I am going to get an older BT 99 made in 1986 with only 2 boxes shot through it and it is in great shape. I'm very excited and hope that the wood used back then is better than the newer ones. I've heard that back in the late 1900's these guns were made in the U.S. and that they were built better, so we'll see how it compares. Thanks again!
I’ve had my BT-99 since 1984 (2 Barrel Competition Set), and it is by far the best Trap Gun I’ve ever owned for singles. Doubles, I use a Browning O/U B-27 Superposed Trap. Another Outstanding Shotgun. I would recommend either in a heartbeat!
I have been successfully shooting registered trap with a Berreta 686 with 32 inch barrels for a couple of years. I recently purchased a new Browning BT99 with 34 inch barrel and a fixed stock and tried it at a registered shoot for the first time today. Overall it is a soft shooter and seemed to handle and point well enough but I found it so different from the intuitive pointing characteristics of my Beretta that my performance suffered considerably. While I realize the BT99 shoots a bit high and I did see that when I patterned it I nonetheless could not find that “sweet spot” pointing at clay targets on singles and handicap at the 20 yard line. I normally shoot in the 20’s but couldn’t come close to those numbers with the BT99 at the range today. I’m going to keep at it to give it a fair chance and hopefully things will tell and get better although I’m feeling pessimistic. Sixty years of successfully shooting guns with the sight plane close to the bore axis may make the transition BT99’s configuration difficult.