Browning Cynergy - Waterfowl
 

I am thinking about getting a 12 ga 3" chambered Browning Cynergy, it has a camo'd plastic stock with an adjustable cheek piece, can anyone that has experience with the Cynergy give me their opinion about this gun?

Great O/U for upland hunting / clay shooting - I own the Cynergy field model w/ classic stock.


...............but, it's not my waterfowl gun.


I use a Beretta extrema for that work !

New Browning A5 waterfowl
 

Has anyone handled the new A5? They are showing it at the last shot show, any opinions on Browning trying to replace the old A5?

When I first heard about them bringing back the A5 I was very excited. When I saw what it was going to look like I was bummed! I could never see myself buying this gun. I still shoot my Auto 5 as well as my Remington Model 11. I love them both. Would love to hear what other die hard A5 users think as well.

New A5 Browning verses Old A5
 

If I had a choice to have one gun and only one, it would be the A5, I have 2, both have a 2.75" chambers. The magnum goose loads are getting harder to find, BB's available, that is as big of shot in the 2.75" goose laods get, I like BBB's and T shot for crane. That is why I'm looking at a 3" chambered shotgun, it will take at least $1,000 for a good clean A5 mag, that's why I'm thinking about the new A5, although I havn't picked one up yet, with all the other arms manufacturers, like Berretta, Bennilli, Remington, I figured the new A5 would be comparable to these new hybrids. I do like the new Remington Versa-Max, gas operated, I picked one up, felt good. I guess to many choices. Anyone have good solid opinions about these new waterfowl shotguns?

Proud owner of a Beretta Xtrema - camo of course !

http://www.beretta.com/Long-guns/Fie...2&idv=1&id=894


Doubles as my turkey killer !!!

Like Sheridan said, not for waterfowlin'
Benelli hands down man. BOOM BOOM BOOM

Bennelli?
 

Which Bennelli? Model? Vinci?

Super Black Eagle II

Why not the Cynergy? Because you only get 2 shots? Or something else?

I for one, don't mind the 2 shots, I've hunted and have taken many geese and crane this year with my target gun, a browning 525 sporting, last week, in the extended white geese season, where you can use an electronic call, we got a bonus, a coyote rushed our spread hoping fo a crip, the 2/34" BB goose load nailed him in the head at 48 long steps. My problem is the availability of waterfowl loads for 23/4", the 3"-3/12" loads are easier to come by.

If you are going for an over/under, why not the Satin Hunter so that you have the 3 1/2 to choose from as well. I was just about to get an over/under for waterfowl as well, then I got reminded that you need the elbow room to break it open. I mostly hunt from an aluminum, so I was worried that I will keep smacking the barrel on the boat rail. If hunting while hiding in a really roomy blind, then a break action can be a bit classy. Think of where you hunt and run the scenario's through your mind about how comfortable/enjoyable the hunt would be.

I changed my mind again, as I keep doing just about every week. I think I will stay with the Browning Citori Satin Hunter after all. I like the idea of quickly selecting which choke I want to shoot with first. Such as modified above then improved cylinder below in case I don't fully re-acquire on the second shot. Also really like the idea of changing from BB to #2 super quick if ducks sneaks up on me. With practice I am sure that I can insert 2 new rounds in time for extra shots, when I get lucky on a committed flock. Best of all, when I get home I would prefer to be plucking feathers rather than stripping down the gun for cleaning.

I agree, I do like the over/unders, to many choices I guess. The manufacturers have responded in producing alot of great guns, I think overall the different types and even the quality is much better than what it use to be, say 25-30 years ago, the ammo with the different materials and shot shapes combined with the powders and wads producing better, denser patterns at higher speeds are a bigger advantage. It would be nice to be able to try out 4 or 5 different guns before you buy, that's a luxury we don't have most of the time. Anyway, I have all summer to look around before hunt'in season opens up, you have to admit it is fun shopping for a new hunt'in buddy, all I know at this point is that it will be a 12ga!

If I'm screwing around, why not the over and under. If I'm seriously hunting waterfowl and I want to be at my best, it will be a semi Benelli.

I've never seen a single waterfowl hunter show up to a competition hunt with an over under. Why? Because they would be at a severe disadvantage.

I didn't know they had competion hunts for waterfowl, I guess I've been screwing around to long in the Texas Panhandle, I guess the bass fisherman have theirs, big game hunting probably does too with whitetails. At these compition hunts, what shotgun manufacturer and model do you see the most? The Benilli's look good, but so do the new gas operated semi autos, the Remington Versa Max and the Beretta's, like the new A400 I think it's called.

Do you base that entirely on the fact that you only get 2 shots, or something else?

I've been hunting with my Browning 525, when I shoot, I have 2 more rounds, in between my fingers, with the hand that is on the forearm, in a matter of 3 seconds or so, I have the new ammo loaded, making any follow up shots I might have/need, with practice you'd be suprised at how fast you can get 4 rounds off and make each one count, especially when the birds are responding to our spread, setting their wings, cupp'ed, coming in close. At pass shooting the auto would have the advantage. I don't think an overunder/sidebyside, is at as much of a disadvantage as you think.

I ended up buying a new in the box 1997 A5 Browning Mag, it is the *** version, has a 28inch barrell that uses the invector chokes and can be used with the steel shot. Anyway, it's cheaper than the new plastic waterfowl guns and I'm use to the old A5, can't break an old-good habit, I do not see that the new style guns have anything on the old proven A5 design and to anti up more money for them, I couldn't see it.

Good call on the Auto 5. Been shooting mine for over 30 years and could not even think about getting rid of it. Did you get to shoot it yet?

Thanks RPD63, I am waiting on it to come in tomorrow to my FFL dealer here in town. I know how you feel, I wouldn't want to get rid of my other A5 either.Soon as I get a chance to try it out, I'll post the results. I plan on trying to pattern it with the modified and cylinder chokes to see how some of these new types of ammo they are coming out with, like Winchesters Blind Side, Federals, Remingtons, etc do with it. If I understand the new wads they've developed, the wad doesn't have any petals to fold back and leave the shot charge after leaving the end of the barrell, but are designed to stay with the shot charge longer, having no petals it is a cylinder cup and a tight choke takes away from the pattern. Do you have any thoughts on the new stuff, all I have been using in the 2 3/4" is the regular steel loads, the 3" mag is opening up a new world for me.

[QUOTE=lancemartin;3939751]Thanks RPD63, I am waiting on it to come in tomorrow to my FFL dealer here in town. I know how you feel, I wouldn't want to get rid of my other A5 either.Soon as I get a chance to try it out, I'll post the results. I plan on trying to pattern it with the modified and cylinder chokes to see how some of these new types of ammo they are coming out with, like Winchesters Blind Side, Federals, Remingtons, etc do with it. If I understand the new wads they've developed, the wad doesn't have any petals to fold back and leave the shot charge after leaving the end of the barrell, but are designed to stay with the shot charge longer, having no petals it is a cylinder cup and a tight choke takes away from the pattern. Do you have any thoughts on the new stuff, all I have been using in the 2 3/4" is the regular steel loads, the 3" mag is opening up a new world for me.[/
For the type duck hunting I do, I never really saw the need to jump on the 3 in. bandwagon. Most of our shooting is over decoys or tight in the timber. We use the everyday steel in either Winchester or Remington. My only 3 in. Gun is my dedicated turkey hunting gun. Good shooting and tell us how that Auto 5 treats you. As if I do not already know. Lol

Great O/U for upland hunting / clay shooting - I own the Cynergy field model w/ classic stock.

Switched to using O/U's last season, primary gun being a camo cynergy, 30" inch barrels, and will shoot 3.5'' shells. Once you're used to only having two shots, it will make you a better shot IMO. Only once last season did I regret not having that third shot. The pros to the gun are as follows:

1. Camo finish is fairly durable, won't stand up to rubbing well, but it will stand up to the elements. Just remember that any coated parts you use soap and water, and not any kind of normal solvent cleaner as it will strip the camo finish.

2. Synthetic stock and forearm wont ding up like wood or get scratched as easily, or swell from getting wet. I picked this O/U because I figured it would stand up to normal waterfowling abuse, and it did.

3. Good overall shotgun with a lot of modern bells and whistles.

Cons:

1. For whatever reason, no sling mounts. Camo Citori's have them, and for some reason the Cynergys do not. Sure you can get a barrel band sling or whatnot, but for being a super modern day designed gun, they forgot the sling mounts. I drilled and tapped both the stock and forearm myself and added Uncle Mike's sling studs.

2. Front heavy feel. Once you're dialed in with the gun, you won't notice much.

3. At the skeet/trap range, the forearm release lever tends to get hot, try not to burn yourself.

I made the switch and never looked back. I wanted something with no moving parts to wear out, I love my autoloader, but was starting to show some wear and tear on the internals. Was afraid all these new hi powered loads they make now would kill it. The Cynergy is a very well made gun, shoots great, and I'm not afraid to beat the crap out of it in the marsh. Used it for upland as well, and the browning grand passage waterfowl chokes did awesome. Last season shot the Remington Hypersonics, 3" #2's. Probably will shoot something else this season as those loads doubled in price this year. For me it killed 300+ birds last season and no complaints about performance here. I think not having that third shot really makes you focus on that first shot even more, almost forces you to shoot better. Plus if you totally whiff on a bird, saves you an extra shell IMO too. Hope this helps.

Camocynergy, thanks for your input and advise, I bought the Browning A5, but would still like to have a Cynergy. Wes started early Teal season last Saturday, still using my Browning 525 with 2 3/4" regular steel shot #6's that works great. When goose and crane season opens up, I'll use the A5 Mag 3" Blind Side ammo(BB) with Pattern Master medium range and long range chokes, looking forward to seeing how the new setup performs, compared to my old. Thanks again for your advise.

boom. boom. boom.

A clay range I know has Cynergy's as their rental guns. After much use, the forearms get loose. They're decent enough for field guns, but as a sporting / target gun, Browning makes better models.

For a Browning field O/U, I recommend looking into a Lightning or 625.

JoeA, thanks for the info, I think I'll stick with my 525, many rounds thru it, shooting trap and skeet, dove, pheasant and quail hunting on top of that, close to 100,000 rounds, without any problems, always goes bang when I pull the trigger.

Love the Cynergy
 

I have a friend that has one these guns and i love it, the only problem i am having is getting it in the color i want/ need. the gun over all is great like most O/U it has great balance some of the best that i have ever seen. I admit that it is not the best looking gun out there with its new stock design, however, the new technology put into the stock by browning has made it a pleasure to shoot. I was able to shoot 3 1/2 shells all day close to 400 rds. And i didn't once ever feel it in my shoulder. It felt a lot like a semi-auto. I will say this; i have always been a huge semi-auto fan but after shooting this gun i am re-thinking my opinion. If you are looking for an all around gun its good because sense it is an O/U it is allowed at all quail plantations and with its rugged outside you don't have to worry about it rusting. But FYI make sure you read the how to take care of the coating cause my friend didn't and had to get it re-finished because he used a solvent to clean it.