Browning Bt-99 Owners Manual

							The Best There Is™
BT-99
TRAP SHOTGUN
OWNER’S MANUAL
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM_Cvr  8/11/03  11:53 AM  Page 2 
						

							THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A BROWNING
BT-99 TRAP SHOTGUN.We are pleased that you have chosen a Browning BT-99 Trap 
shotgun. In every way it is a firearm you will be proud to shoot
for many years. Take time to follow this manual carefully, and 
you will gain real advantages that will bring out the best in your
shooting ability.
With a reasonable amount of care, your BT-99 should give you
many years of dependable, enjoyable shooting. Please feel free 
to write us immediately if you have any observations regarding 
its performance and operation.
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 1 
						

							2YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 
FIREARMS SAFETY.As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How
seriously you take these responsibilities can mean the difference
between life and death. Failure to follow any of these instructions can
cause extensive damage to your gun and/or possible serious injury or
death to yourself and others.THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CARELESS OR ABUSIVE HANDLING OF ANY
FIREARM. AT ALL TIMES HANDLE ANY FIREARM WITH INTENSE RESPECT
FOR ITS POWER AND POTENTIAL DANGER.
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE CAUTIONS AND PROPER HANDLING
PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR 
NEW FIREARM.1
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF ANY FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION.
Do this even though you are certain it is unloaded.
Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within 
the range of your ammunition.
2 
CAUTION: THE BT-99 SHOTGUN HAS NO MANUAL SAFETY.
A trap
shooter does not load his or her gun until moments before a bird is
called for. For this reason, and because trapshooting demands intense
concentration on shooting technique, no manual safety is provided
on your BT-99. There is then no chance for a lost bird by reason of
the safety being inadvertently left “on safe.”
LOAD YOUR BT-99 TRAP GUN ONLY WHEN SHOOTING IS IMMINENT.
ONCE LOADED, THIS GUN IS READY TO FIRE AND SHOULD BE 
RESPECTED AS SUCH. 
NEVER TEST THE MECHANISM OF ANY FIREARM WHILE IT IS LOADED
OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION. 
3
WHENEVER YOU HANDLE ANY FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE,
MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. 
Always open the action
immediately, and visually check the chamber. Make certain that the
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 2 
						

							chamber does not inadvertently contain any ammunition. Always
keep the chamber empty and the safety in the “on safe” position
(remember, the BT-99 has no manual safety) unless shooting 
is imminent.
4DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY FIREARM LOADED.
Keep all firearms
unloaded during transport, whether stored in a holster, gun case,
scabbard or other container.
5
BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS.
Do this for the safety of both
your gun and yourself. Mud, snow, and an infinite variety of other
objects may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It takes only one
small obstruction to cause dangerously increased pressures that can
ruin (swell or rupture) the finest barrels.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR
FIREARM IS FULLY UNLOADED. 
Make sure no live round is in the
chamber by breaking open the action. Look through the barrel to be
sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter
how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as
described later in this manual. Before the first firing, clean the bore
with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust 
compounds in the action/chamber areas.
6
ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNLOAD ALL FIREARMS WHEN NOT IN USE. 
As a
safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage.
Store your gun and ammunition separately — well beyond the reach
of children. Your responsibility does not end when your firearm is
unattended. Store your firearm and ammunition separately and well
beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure that any
firearm does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or
unwelcome hands.
7
USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.
The barrel and action of all Browning
firearms have been made with substantial safety margins over the
pressures developed by established American commercial loads.
Nevertheless, Browning assumes no liability for incidents which
occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions
3
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 3 
						

							which develop pressures in excess of commercially available 
ammunition which has been loaded in accordance with standards
established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’
Institute (SAAMI).BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. IF YOU
DETECT AN OFF SOUND OR LIGHT RECOIL WHEN A SHELL IS FIRED, DO
NOT LOAD ANOTHER SHELL INTO THE CHAMBER. Open the action and remove the shell from the chamber. With the
action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that a wad or other
obstruction does not remain in the barrel. Completely clear the barrel
before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions
can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury
to yourself and others.MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU 
DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE
TO AMMUNITION OR CLEANING A FIREARM.Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly
ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is 
a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive
harm and other serious injury.
8NEVER INSERT A SHELL OF THE INCORRECT GAUGE IN ANY SHOTGUN.The gauge of your shotgun is marked on the side of the barrel. Store
all shells of different gauges in completely separate and well-marked
containers. Never store shells of mixed gauges in a common container
or in your pockets.EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. NEVER PUT A 20
GAUGE SHELL IN A 12 GAUGE GUN.The most common way to bulge or rupture a shotgun barrel is to
drop a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge chamber. The 20 gauge shell,
unfortunately, will not fall completely through the barrel; its rim is
caught by the front of a 12 gauge chamber. Your gun will misfire
(with the chamber appearing to be empty). It is then possible to load
a 12 gauge shell behind the 20 gauge shell. If the 12 gauge shell is then
402-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 4 
						

							fired, the result will be a so-called “12-20 burst” which can cause
extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to you 
and others.
9USE SHELLS OF THE CORRECT LENGTH. 
Do not use 3
1⁄2 shotgun shells
in a shotgun or barrel with a 2
3⁄4 chamber or 3 chamber. Do not use
3 shells in a shotgun chambered for a 2
3⁄4 shells. Doing so can result
in a build-up of dangerously high pressures that may damage your
gun and possibly cause serious injury to yourself or others.
The size of the chamber is inscribed, along with gauge and choke 
designations, on the side of the barrel.
10
DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER — 
THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! 
Treat every gun with the respect
due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded.
11
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND
UNLOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
12
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP.
Particularly during low
light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at
water or hard objects.
13
ALWAYS UNLOAD THE CHAMBER OF ANY FIREARM BEFORE CROSSING A
FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER
OBSTACLES.
Never lean or place any loaded firearm on or against a
fence, tree, car, or other similar object.
14
WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING.
Unprotected,
repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear
protectors (shooting earplugs or muffs) to guard against such damage.
Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Always
keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons
nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious
injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning all
firearms to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts,
solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
5
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 5 
						

							15
DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.This can occur even with a firearms “safety” in the “on safe” position
(remember, the BT-99 has no manual safety). Be extremely careful
while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping 
any firearm.
16IF ANY FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION.
Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Carefully open the action and remove the shell or cartridge. If the
primer is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a way that
cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm
should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the
malfunction should be corrected before further use.
17
BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING
AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. 
Don’t be timid when it comes to gun
safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety 
precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.
18
BE CERTAIN ANY FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.
Because
so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special
and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded
before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away
from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any
firearm with live ammunition.
19
SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR
FAMILY — ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.
Closely
supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment 
in hunting/shooting safety courses.
20
NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS
BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING.
Your vision and judgment could be
dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and
to others.
21
PERFORM PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED 
SERVICING.
Your new firearm is a mechanical device which will not
last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic
inspection, adjustment, and service. Browning firearms should be 
602-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 6 
						

							serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or by
Browning’s service facility in Arnold, Missouri. Browning 
cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered or caused 
by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of
Browning firearms.
22BROWNING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON FIREARMS
THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modification of the firing 
mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to Browning’s refusal 
of service on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts
and labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.
23READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS
in this instruction book, on 
ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your
firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date 
information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning gun.
Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe
or improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY 
(THE BT-99 SHOTGUN HAS NO MANUAL SAFETY) OR OTHER PARTS OF
THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO
OBEY THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS.
BE CAREFUL! 
7
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 7 
						

							NOMENCLATUREIn conventional gun terminology, the position and movement of
gun parts are described as they occur with the gun horizontal and in
normal firing position; i.e., the muzzle is forward or front; butt stock
is rearward or rear; trigger is downward or underneath; the rib is
upward or on top. For general parts nomenclature refer to Figure 1.
For specific parts names related to disassembly see Figure 2.SERIAL NUMBERThe serial number of your BT-99 can be found on the top tang under
the top lever. Record this number for future reference.8FIGURE 1Butt
Stock
TriggerReceiverForearmBarrel
Barrel Ports
(optional)Muzzle
Rib
Top Lever
Adjustable Comb
(optional)
GraCoil System
(optional)
FIGURE 2
Takedown Lever Latch Forearm Bracket Barrel LugTop Lever
Hinge Pin
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 8 
						

							AMMUNITIONAll BT-99 Models are designed to shoot and function with 2
3⁄4 
12 gauge trap loads only. Browning can assume no responsibility for 
incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard
dimension or those developing pressures in excess of industry 
standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition
Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI).
CAUTION: DO NOT USE 3 OR 3
1⁄2 SHOTGUN SHELLS IN ANY SHOTGUN OR
BARREL WITH A 2
3⁄4 CHAMBER. THE SIZE OF THE CHAMBER IS INSCRIBED
ALONG WITH GAUGE AND CHOKE DESIGNATIONS, ON THE SIDE OF 
THE BARREL. 
INITIAL CLEANINGVarious exposed metal parts of your new BT-99 have been coated 
at the factory with a rust preventative compound. Before assembling
your BT-99, clean the anti-rust compound from the inside of the 
barrel and chamber, and generally wipe clean the metal surfaces at 
the rear of the forearm, on the barrel lug and the interior areas of
the receiver, as well as any other parts coated with this compound.
Browning Oil is ideal for wiping and cleaning these parts and for 
giving your gun its first lubrication.
Clean the barrel using a cleaning rod and patch as explained under
“Cleaning Suggestions.” Read this entire manual before performing
the first cleaning, to learn necessary information on breaking open 
the action, etc.ASSEMBLY PROCEDURESBEFORE BEGINNING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS, ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN
THERE IS NO SHELL IN THE CHAMBER. 1  After wiping the mechanism clean, place one or two drops of a 
quality oil, like Browning Oil, on the following surfaces (Figures 3-A,
3-B and 3-C):
9
02-260-BFA_Revised BT99 OM  8/11/03  11:48 AM  Page 9