beretta A303

S

safetyalwaysfirst

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hello all

looking at a barely used a303 and was searching for good and bad features. and yes it will be my skeet,clay, and bird gun and what is a good price picking one of these us so i know if im being taken for a ride.

thanks in advance
 
Really good ones go for 600 bucks. Probably the best all-around semi-auto ever built in my opinion. The Browning B-80 is the exact same gun. Built for Browning by Beretta. That's my 2 cents.

-Dave
 
thanks dave about the same reply i get from google hahaha unfortinitly it only came with one choke. so ill hafta do some searching. good ones for 600 nice im getting this one for 450
 
There is a Browning B-80 listed on the gun dealer's website in New Brunswick with a fixed choke and in poor condition for 400. I called him and he said "it's poor". His prices are usually lower than most. That should be a indicator for the market.
 
I have an A303 that is 20+ years old and still functions well. Some are a little finicky with light 23/4" shells if they have a 3" chamber. They are gas operated ( sorry boltonscouter) but are of simple design and easy to clean. They are also fairly light and handle well for me. Choke tubes are still easy to find for the most part.
 
B80 was a 300 Beretta. The 303 came in as a Hunter version, Trap, Skeet and Sporter. The target guns have larger ports to properly cycle light target loads. I hada a Sporter that I shot thousands of hunting rounds through. It wore out the frame but I sold it to a Seaway Pilot a few years back that is still shooting it. The piston is self cleanning but on the sporter, the ports need to be cleanned with a small round file. The biggest problemis the return spring in the stock. It made of spring steel and can rust and be fouled by powder. It needs to be removed every year to be cleaned and lubricated with "BreakFree". After 20 to 30K, the spring will shorten and increase bolt speed which will damage the frame. It needs replacement.

Regards,
Henry;)
 
I have 2 A301's and an A303. They are awesome guns, though I prefer the finish of my 301's over the newer 303. All are 3". The 303 has choke tubes, the beater 301 is probably at least a modified by now after shooting lots of steel through it. The mint 301 is still a full and only gets lead.
Contrary to what some say, they have to get super dirty before they start jamming or acting up.
I also had an old AL2 which was great as well, regrettably I traded that one during a moment of weakness.
They are fantastic shotguns and superior to the new Beretta Semi's, IMO.
 
I picked up an A303 a little while back, with 32" barrels and the wide rib. I paid 550 even though it didn't have any of the extra chokes with it.

I felt that price was maybe a tad high, but on the other hand, ones in nice condition don't come along every day.
Even after a thorough cleaning, it tends to eject a bit lazily after a few rounds of trap.... I think I will shoot it "wet" next time, as I've heard they like that.

It's a fine shotgun.
 
took a look at the gun today comes with only one choke tube. talked to guy at epps he said they are hard to come by so i guess it depends on if i can get my hands on tubes.... ill wait for access to the ee and try to get one locally but i may lean towards a win. 870 ...thoughts guys.

this really get tough now hahaha
clay pigeons dont stink
 
safetyalwaysfirst said:
took a look at the gun today comes with only one choke tube. talked to guy at epps he said they are hard to come by so i guess it depends on if i can get my hands on tubes.... ill wait for access to the ee and try to get one locally but i may lean towards a win. 870 ...thoughts guys.

this really get tough now hahaha
clay pigeons dont stink
Click to expand...

Choke tubes are common for A303's. You'll have no trouble finding them.
I have an unused Xtra-full if you want to hunt Turkeys. :)

I believe the Mobil-Choke are the ones you're after. They interchange with Benelli non-Crio tubes.
 
I have a A300M that has trouble with light target loads. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this and if there is a way to make it work with these loads. I know that it is set up for magnum loads and maybe that is the problem and there is nothing that can be done but if there is it would be great.
 
tbooker said:
I have a A300M that has trouble with light target loads. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this and if there is a way to make it work with these loads. I know that it is set up for magnum loads and maybe that is the problem and there is nothing that can be done but if there is it would be great.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure but I think the 300 series were barrel dependent whether they were 3" Mag. capable or not. So a 3" barrel might have more trouble cycling lite 2 3/4 loads than a 2 3/4" barrel.
 
I believe the gas ports on the barrel can be modified to function with lighter loads but then cannot be used for 3" magnums. Check with a gunsmith to see if this is possible as this is something I was told second hand.
 
Tbooker, you must have a hunting version which has smaller ports. The target guns have larger ports. OR, if it is a target gun, your ports may be dirty ( a small tapered round file will clean them up) or your return spring needs cleanning. My 303 return spring would need cleanning every year. It is made of spring steel so it can rust easily. Be very carefull when unscreweing the end of the return spring tube. It will fly out and can hit you in the face! DON'T use WD40 to clean or lubricate it. Use "BreakFree", it will clean, lubricate and prevent rust.

regards,
Henry;)
 
I have a Beretta 301 and treasure it more than my Benelli Ultralight or Browning Citori's. I love this gun, I walked into Simpson Sears and bought it at age 17 without a PAL or FAC this garbage came later. Just paid my cash and walked out with the shotgun. Best shotgun I ever owned and I have owned and do own a few. It has killed hundreds of ptarmigan, grouse,ducks geese, snowshoe hare and two moose and a caribou

Dan
 
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