Elevate Your Sporting Clays Game with the Browning Citori 825 Noir and Golden Clays Shotguns

I distinctly remember the click when the barrels locked back into the receiver. The shotgun felt great in the hands, and when I called for the clay, the shotgun shouldered quickly, swung pure, and when I pulled the trigger, the clay target turned to dust. 

That was my first experience with a Browning over/under shotgun. I was in high school when a gentleman at the clay range told me that I shot too well to use a pump. That day, I made it my mission to start saving my pennies and learn more about over/under shotguns. What I learned in the months following my first over/under experience is that there are lots of over/under models on the market. There are models designed for trap, sporting clays, hunting, and all-around purposes. Some models cost $2K and others over $10K. 

As a high schooler making $5 an hour at a local farmer’s market, I purchased an entry-level over/under. That shotgun served me well on the clay range and in the field. However, the more I competed and traveled, the more I realized that the top players in the clay game shot top end over/under shotguns.

Browning is an over/under kingpin. Currently, Browning offers more than 60 over/under shotguns in its lineup. From trap to sporting clays and upland to waterfowl and turkey, Browning has you covered. 

Right now, during the dog days of summer, many shooters are busting clays. Some in competition; others preparing for hunting season. If competition and climbing the sporting clays podium matter to you, consider these two Browning over/under shotguns.

The Noir’s dark-stained, high-gloss AAAA Grade maple stock with close radius grip and palm swell grip stands out. The shimmering maple stock blends seamlessly with the gloss-blued receiver, brushed sides, gold accents, and gloss-finished barrels. While this isn’t an over/under you’d want to take to the duck blind, it is the one to have in your case when fast-flying orange discs that simulate the unpredictability of hunting are on the to-shoot list.

As with the B25 and other Citori models, the Citori 825 Noir Sporting relies on Browning’s tried-and-true full-width hinge and tapered locking lug design to provide maximum strength and years of no-fail use. When you lock the barrels closed, lock-up is positive and tight, and when you squeeze the Triple Trigger (more to come on this), the Noir goes boom every single time. Built for sporting clays and not trap, the Noir has a 50/50 POI. This means that 50 percent of the pattern is above the target, and 50 percent is below it.

The jeweled monoblock adds yet another touch of class, and the low-post floating rib ensures rapid target acquisition and a clear view of the target across its flight path. The low-profile receiver with sharp, modern contours looks fantastic and adds to the slim, sleek, easy-to-shoulder profile of this 30- and 32-inch barrel over/under. Both 12-gauge, 3-inch-chamber Noir models weigh under 8 pounds and have overall lengths of 48 or 50 inches, depending on barrel length.

The Triple Trigger System with three shoes lets shooters quickly fine-tune finger-to-trigger reach. Three trigger shoes (checkered/wide/canted, narrow smooth, wide smooth) let you tinker and discover what feels best for you. Good shooters take advantage of custom options.  The Citori 825 Noir Sporting comes with a recoil-reducing Inflex II recoil pad, HiViz Pro Comp sight, and five extended Midas Grade choke tubes. The shotgun shoots as good as it looks, and if you’re in the market for a high-end ($4,269.99) sporting clays over/under, Browning’s Citori 825 Noir Sporting is a great go-to.

A step up from the Noir Sporting is Browning’s 825 Golden Clays Sporting. Aside from the price tag ($6,799.99), the Citori 825 Golden Clays Sporting further increases shooter customization. The Pro Fit adjustable comb makes it easy to dial in bead alignment, and the Pro Balance System makes the 825 Golden Clays Sporting one of the smoothest-swinging sporting-clays shotguns ever developed. It’s a simple equation, the more balanced a shotgun feels, and the better the shotgun fits the shooter, the more confident that shooter becomes. Boosted confidence leads to more busted clays and better finishes. 

The Citori 825 Golden Clays Sporting is sexy. The gloss oil finish, Grade V/VI walnut stock, close-radius grip, and traditional point-pattern checkering give the over/under an unmatched level of class. The palm swell feels great, and classic scroll engraving with gold accents helps the low-profile, silver nitride receiver pop. The barrels (30- and 32-inch options) are gloss blued and sport vented top and side ribs. The shape of the safety/selector switch has been redesigned for improved ergonomics and ease of operation.

Like the 825 Noir Sporting, the Golden Clays Sporting features the customizable Triple Trigger System. Clay busters that choose this over/under get five extended choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, SK), a 50/50 POI, and a HiViz Pro Comp sight with white mid-bead.

The Citori 825 Golden Clays Sporting, depending on barrel length, has an overall length of 48 or 50 inches. Weight is under 8 pounds. If you want the Crème de la crème of Browning over/under shotguns, the Citori 825 Golden Clays is it.

My experience with a Browning over/under remains etched in my memory, particularly the moment when the barrels clicked into place and the feel of perfection in every detail. For serious sporting clays shooters, the Browning Citori 825 Noir and Golden Clays models represent the pinnacle of performance. 

The Noir, with its elegant design and robust features, is engineered to conquer. Its 50/50 point of impact allows for optimal targeting, while the low-post floating rib ensures rapid engagement with fast-flying clays. The customization options, including the Triple Trigger System, invite shooters to find their perfect fit, enhancing both comfort and precision. 

Stepping up to the Golden Clays, you find a shotgun that truly embodies luxury and performance. Its Pro Fit adjustable comb and Pro Balance System not only maximize shooter adaptability but also promote confidence. This is essential for consistently breaking clays. With a striking design that combines function and elegance, this model makes an undeniable statement on the range.

Both shotguns are built for dominance, empowering shooters to elevate their skills, crush the competition, and, most importantly, experience an adrenaline rush with every successful shot. In the pursuit of excellence, investing in the Noir or Golden Clays may be the key to busting more clay targets than ever before.