Info on a Browning BT-99

**dannyb** · August 6th, 2019, 08:46 AM

I have gotten into trap shooting lately. I originally was using a Mossberg 835, but pumps do not seem to be used by serious trap shooters (yeah, yeah, you were using a flintlock and outshot all the guys with Cesar Guarneris...). I have also tried a number of other things that worked at first but didn't function in the heat of competition. Anyway, I didn't want to go the super expensive custom shotgun route, so I found a used Browning BT-99 for $650 at the Oaks show last year. The BT-99 is one of the workhorses of the trap world. It didn't quite fit me right, so I've decided to sell it (but not on the shotgun forum) - but it's a fixed choke version. So I went about looking for information. There's a lot of information in the serial number. Browning uses 5 digits, 2 letters, and a three digit after number. The letters stand for the year of manufacture. My particular BT-99 is #####RN309. The R stands for 7 and the N for 9, so this shotgun was manufactured in 1979. The first 5 digits are the number of the gun off the production line (ie, 00001 would be the first). The 309 indicates the model. I have NOT been able to find what this number stands for. I called Browning, and they couldn't find it either. This is not a particularly special-looking shotgun, nothing fancy. If anyone knows what 309 stands for, please comment or drop me a line. Other pieces of information were found with a ruler - 14 1/8 LOP, 32 inch barrel. What about the choke? I called Browning and they told me to open the shotgun and look on the left side of the barrel. There was 32 (barrel length) and **. So I looked up Browning choke markings and found that *=Full, *- =Improved Modified, ** =Modified, **- =Improved Cylinder, **$ =Skeet, and *** =Cylinder Bore. The sales guy said that this was an Improved Modified, so he was wrong (shocking, a sales guy being wrong), the choke on this is Modified.
So, I have a 1979, Browning BT-99 32" barrel, fixed Modified choke. Last lacking piece of information is what does 309 mean (other than cabalistically). Thanks in advance for all other information.

**icp4life162005** · August 6th, 2019, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by dannyb

I have gotten into trap shooting lately. I originally was using a Mossberg 835, but pumps do not seem to be used by serious trap shooters (yeah, yeah, you were using a flintlock and outshot all the guys with Cesar Guarneris...). I have also tried a number of other things that worked at first but didn't function in the heat of competition. Anyway, I didn't want to go the super expensive custom shotgun route, so I found a used Browning BT-99 for $650 at the Oaks show last year. The BT-99 is one of the workhorses of the trap world. It didn't quite fit me right, so I've decided to sell it (but not on the shotgun forum) - but it's a fixed choke version. So I went about looking for information. There's a lot of information in the serial number. Browning uses 5 digits, 2 letters, and a three digit after number. The letters stand for the year of manufacture. My particular BT-99 is #####RN309. The R stands for 7 and the N for 9, so this shotgun was manufactured in 1979. The first 5 digits are the number of the gun off the production line (ie, 00001 would be the first). The 309 indicates the model. I have NOT been able to find what this number stands for. I called Browning, and they couldn't find it either. This is not a particularly special-looking shotgun, nothing fancy. If anyone knows what 309 stands for, please comment or drop me a line. Other pieces of information were found with a ruler - 14 1/8 LOP, 32 inch barrel. What about the choke? I called Browning and they told me to open the shotgun and look on the left side of the barrel. There was 32 (barrel length) and **. So I looked up Browning choke markings and found that *=Full, *- =Improved Modified, ** =Modified, **- =Improved Cylinder, **$ =Skeet, and *** =Cylinder Bore. The sales guy said that this was an Improved Modified, so he was wrong (shocking, a sales guy being wrong), the choke on this is Modified.
So, I have a 1979, Browning BT-99 32" barrel, fixed Modified choke. Last lacking piece of information is what does 309 mean (other than cabalistically). Thanks in advance for all other information.

If its in good condtion you got a great deal.
Im seeing them listed starting at 1200 for the exact year and model you mention going up to 4,200.

**icp4life162005** · August 6th, 2019, 09:27 AM

You may be able to find more info here
One site said the bt99 309s were manufactured in japan.

https://www.browning.com/products/fi...continued.html

**Hawk** · August 6th, 2019, 12:30 PM

I suspect that the "309" is a designation that has to do with features on that shotgun. Like the type of stock and forearm. IIRC, the BT99 was available with 3 different types of stocks and two types of forearms. It also came in several wood "Grades" from a matt finish to a high gloss.

**Grizz2720** · August 6th, 2019, 09:55 PM

The BT99 also comes in special additions. I know this because I have one It is marked Special Steel BT 99. This is a steel finish not blued and it has a laminate wood pieces.
That is a good price for a BT 99. According to the net it is a nickle finish gray laminate stock pieces.

**phill** · August 7th, 2019, 01:01 PM

Might be cheaper to get your BT99 fitted to you. Most of time the only fitting that we needed was length of pull.

**dannyb** · August 7th, 2019, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by phill

Might be cheaper to get your BT99 fitted to you. Most of time the only fitting that we needed was length of pull.

I thought of that, but when I scoped it out, it was around the same to get a BT 99 micro with adjustable butt pad and cheek rest - especially if I sell this one. I think I found the answer to XXXXRN309. Unlike most BT-99s, this one has an ejector instead of an extractor.

**Pete D.** · October 27th, 2019, 08:46 AM

Great price. Don’t sell it. Put a pad on if too short. An adjustable butt plate for cast. A million round gun.

**dannyb** · October 27th, 2019, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Pete D.

Great price. Don’t sell it. Put a pad on if too short. An adjustable butt plate for cast. A million round gun.

Alas, I did sell it. The main problem with it was that the LOP was too long. The stock is lovely, and I hated the thought of cutting into it. I did get a BT 99 micro, as stated above. Somebody gave me the name of a stock fitter in the other thread, and I'll likely call them tomorrow.