A-M-301 gas ports

stovepipe699

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Stead, MB
Does anyone know what diameter the gas ports on a beretta 301 3" mag shotgun are supposed to be? I just bought one and it's not cycling on 3 dram 1 1/8 ounce target rounds, but it's fine on the 3" hunting rounds. I've already stripped, cleaned and lubed the entire gun(including the recoil buffer spring) and it didn't help. I suspect hard deposits in the ports(I poked a wire through them to clean them) but I don't want to accidently bore them out too big. Help please!
 
The gas port(s) are not big enough in diameter. I have encountered this situation in many older models of gas-operated auto loading shotguns. The newer models have a compensating system. You can open up one of the ports in stages until the gun will work with 3 dram target loads but it will cycle quite violently with 3" loads. What I have done in some cases is to drill and tap a port to accept a 10-32 set screw and then drill holes of various diameters in different set screws so that various loads can be accomodated.
 
Thanks for the response ironnose. A gunsmith told me the 301 mag would fire 2 3/4" shells as well as 3", but I never talked about target loads. I was asking about the pros/cons of the beretta 301 vs browning auto 5 for goose/duck hunting from my lay down blind. I was advised the blowback action could give me problems if not corectly shouldered, so I went with gas op gun. Maybe I'll have to load up some target rounds with enough energy to cycle the action.
 
Not all semi-auto shotguns are built to use target loads. If you muck about with the gas ports, it won't work properly with hunting loads. Look into a skeet or trap barrel.
 
My brother has a 301 that will not cycle his 1 1/8 oz reloads. He uses Winchester powder.
It will, on the other hand, cycle my 1 oz reloads. I use Red Dot powder.

Maybe try a different ammunition, or powder if you're using reloads.
 
I'm not currently using reloads, but I plan to try it since I load for rifle and enjoy it. I hear the Lyman book is good to get, the powder manufacturers have some recipes, not as many as I'd hoped. Any leads on barrels for the beretta Sunray? I can still use my old 500 mossy.:D
 
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