After buying a .22 LR and a 7mm Rem Mag, the next gun I needed to complete my beginner lineup was a shotgun.

I was looking for a 12 gauge pump action shotgun in the affordable but still high quality price range.

As soon as I found the Browning BPS Hunter, I knew the hunt was over.

The shotgun felt extremely well built, had a smooth pump action and is known for being reliable and durable.

To top it off, the bottom eject design was a nice feature since I’m a left-handed shooter. It also works great for my wife or friends since we often use each other’s shotguns during skeet shooting sessions just to switch things up.

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Skeet Shooting

Over the years, the BPS Hunter has cycled many shells at the property during afternoon skeet shoots with friends and family.

For this type of shooting, I use an improved cylinder choke with 2 3/4" target loads. With the plug removed, the shotgun holds 5 shells — 4 in the tube magazine and 1 in the chamber.

I understand why competitive clay shooters often prefer semi automatic shotguns, but there’s something satisfying about using a pump action shotgun.

For our casual skeet shoots, the BPS Hunter has been excellent. Everything from loading shells to cycling the action feels smooth and the shotgun always works as intended.

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Upland Bird Hunting

The Browning BPS Hunter has also spent plenty of time walking trails and riding in the side by side while hunting ruffed grouse, along with the occasional squirrel or rabbit.

For grouse hunting, I use a modified or improved cylinder choke. Both have worked great and are also compatible with slugs — something I like to carry in case of black bear sightings.

I’ve found 2 3/4" target loads to be more than enough for ruffed grouse within 25-30 yards.

One downside is that the shotgun did not come with sling mounts, so it can be a bit awkward to carry during long walks. Aftermarket sling kits are available for the BPS Hunter, but I’ve never seriously considered adding one.

Other than some tired arms after a long walk, my BPS Hunter has been perfect for upland bird hunting.

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Waterfowl Hunting

The BPS Hunter would probably be a bit under equipped for a serious waterfowl hunter where a semi-automatic would likely be preferred.

That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring it along knowing it would be a full day of working the pump action — although I still haven’t found the time to get into goose hunting.

Even though it may not be the ideal shotgun for a dedicated goose hunter, I have no doubt that with a modified choke and 3" shells, the BPS Hunter would get the job done.

For shooters using 3 1/2" shells, Browning also offered BPS Hunter models capable of handling them. Mine is a standard model chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells only.

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Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, Browning recently discontinued the BPS Hunter.

It’s a bit hard to understand why since the shotgun is:

• well built
• reliable
• reasonably affordable
• and has been a staple in Browning’s lineup for decades

However, it seems the market has largely shifted toward semi automatic shotguns.

For the everyday upland bird hunter or casual skeet shooter though, the BPS Hunter is a great shotgun.

Overall, I’ve been extremely happy with mine.

It will likely be the only shotgun I ever need unless I eventually pick up a .410 or 20 gauge for the kids.

At this point, I have no real desire to upgrade because the BPS Hunter already does everything I need it to do.