Tracing its history back to 18th century England, trap shooting is challenging for the most seasoned competitor. It can also be an exciting introduction to firearms and shooting sports for newbies. For those that catch the trap shooting bug, the best cure is to shoulder a purpose-built shotgun to excel on the range. The single-barrel Browning BT-99 is nothing short of a legend, with performance and durability that is second to none. Numerous models vary widely in price and features, so there's a BT-99 for every skill level.

Introduced in 1968, the BT-99 has spent over 50 years cultivating its global reputation as a reliable and hard-working shotgun. The design of the BT-99 is simple and robust, which translates directly into longevity that few other guns can match. The long-lasting endurance of the BT-99 shouldn't be a surprise. Not because it's a Browning, but because it's THE Browning. It's a direct descendent of the legendary Superposed over and under shotgun — one of the last designs of John M. Browning.

Like the Superposed, the BT-99 receiver and action components are built from solid steel. The monoblock and barrel hinge on an oversize steel pin that runs the full width of the receiver and outlasts the side-mounted trunnion hinge designs popular with other manufacturers. A tapered locking lug fits into a recess in the monoblock and secures it to the receiver. A tapered lug will seat deeper into the recess over time, accounting for wear and keeping the action locked up securely even after thousands of rounds.

The monoblock is a solid chunk of steel expertly machined to fit the receiver. Still, every BT-99 undergoes a hand-fitting process that ensures that parts wear correctly and lock-up is secure. This is evident by the somewhat stiff opening and closing of the action. After a few hundred rounds, the Browning smoothness starts shining through.

Picking up the BT-99 reveals a noticeable omission — the lack of a safety button. Regarding firearm safety, range etiquette demands that a firearm be carried with the action open and the chamber empty. The chamber should never be loaded until the shooter is on the firing line and it is their turn to shoot.

The distinct lack of this common feature speaks straight to the shotgun's competitive nature. Without a safety, there is no chance that a clay bird can be called for and subsequently missed because the safety was inadvertently left on.

The trigger is curved, easy to reach, and finished in Browning's signature gold color. Take-up and overtravel are minimal. Using a Wheeler Engineering Trigger Gauge, the trigger pull weight on the sample tested averaged 4.3 lb.

The top lever is easy to use and well made, with no harsh edges that can wear on a thumb throughout a full day of shooting.

Most BT-99 models feature a simple elevator that raises fired hulls or unfired shells from the chamber for easy extraction. Higher-end models like the Max High Grade and Plus include a shell ejector that sends fired hulls flying and elevates unfired shells.

Depending on the model, the BT-99 will be equipped with either a curved trap-style Pachmayr® Decelerator®, a ventilated recoil pad, or a Browning Inflex recoil pad. The Inflex pad is soft and uses internal directional deflection ribs to pull the comb down and away from the shooter's face to reduce felt recoil.

The fit of the shotgun is important to target shooters as it relates directly to consistency and shooting comfort. As mentioned, the BT-99 line ranges from mild to wild. Two base models are available in standard and Micro, with the Micro having a shorter 13-3/4" length of pull to fit smaller-statured shooters. In the middle of the line are models with adjustable combs that allow the shooter to align their eye with the rib. Optional adjustable pad plates let the shooter customize the fit of the stock for a perfect mount every time.

Like all Browning shotguns, the BT-99 barrel is made from a rolled and tempered steel bar that is stress-relieved prior to being precision drilled, reamed, and honed. The chamber is chrome-plated for added durability and ease of cleaning. In addition to proven construction techniques, the BT-99 has the advantage of Total Barrel Dynamics, a staple feature of Browning shotguns.

Total Barrel Dynamics combines features designed to optimize shot pattern performance and produce denser, more consistent shot patterns. It consists of three parts: the Vector Pro lengthened forcing cone, Back-Bored Technology, and the Invector-Plus interchangeable choke tube system.

Lengthening the forcing cone is a popular performance upgrade that generally requires an expensive trip to a gunsmith, but it's just one part of the BT-99 advantage. The forcing cone is the tapered transition between the chamber and bore that constricts the shot column. The longer Vector Pro forcing cone has a more gradual constriction. This puts less stress on the shot column as it passes into the bore and reduces pellet deformation for more uniform patterns.

Back-Bored Technology enlarges the bore to the maximum diameter of .742" to increase shot velocity, minimize pellet deformity for more uniform patterns, and reduce felt recoil. Our diameter of .742" reduces the friction between the shot cup and the bore but does not allow gases to slip past the shot cup that would result in reduced pellet velocity and blown patterns.

The proven Invector-Plus interchangeable choke tube system works hand-in-hand with Vector Pro and Back-Bored Technology for consistent, dense shot patterns with the perfect constriction needed for the exact shooting situation. The longer choke taper inside an Invector-Plus choke tube produces consistent patterns with more uniform densities and fewer fliers. The superior design of the Invector-Plus system eliminates gases slipping between the choke tube and barrel that could damage the choke tube and the barrel.

Riding the top of the barrel is a wide ventilated rib or, in the case of the top-end Trap Max, an adjustable rib. The ribs are "floating," meaning they expand independently of the barrel to minimize point-of-impact changes when the barrel heats up.

The BT-99 is comfortable and manageable to shoot. The stock dimensions are good for most shooters, and the optional adjustable add-ons like combs and pad plates ensure there's a BT-99 to fit most shooters correctly at every level. Additionally, the solid steel construction adds weight that helps manage recoil.

The forearm is wide and flat, bringing the lead hand closer to the bore line for improved balance and recoil control.

With one barrel to manage, the BT-99 is lighter than twin-barreled trap guns. This weight reduction is advantageous for shooters of all levels, as it reduces fatigue to keep them swinging all day long. Max High Grade and Plus models also feature barrel porting to reduce felt recoil and fatigue during long days of competition.

Because trap shooters float their clay quarry on the top of the rib, the BT-99 has a point of impact of 70/30 to put the shot on target. With its adjustable rib, the Max High Grade is adjustable from a 50/50 to 100/0 POI.

Whether you're just starting with your first dedicated trap gun or want to get serious about upping your competition shooting game, there's no better place to start than with a new BT-99. From the basic models to the all-out Max High Grade, there's a BT-99 to match where you are — or want to be — in your trap shooting journey. Regardless of your skill level, you can count on the tried-and-true durability and handling of the Browning BT-99 to be there round after round, range day after range day, and year after year.