Beretta A-303 Special Trap

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Boys, I'm starting to get the trap bug. I currently own a Remington 1100 field gun, and now that I think I'm going to like shooting trap, I'd like to upgrade to a proper trap rig. I know someone who has an excellent condition A-303 Beretta Special Trap gun with a 30" barrel for sale. My question is this; Are they good trap guns, and what is an excellent condition A-303 worth? I have to get something else, because although my 1100 is nice, it is a 3" magnum and doesn't cycle the light 2 3/4" target loads very well. I get a lot of stove piping.
 
Trap guns get alot of use but can still look newer because they are not carried afield....wear would affect semis most, try to find out how many rounds have been through it....can't guess at value unless condition/rounds shot are known, Berettas are great guns for trap and would recommend them.
 
The Beretta 300 series of semi autos are great guns. To see if the gun has had heavy use is not too difficult. You can look to the back of the reciever and see if any it has recieved a heavy hammering or if there is general heavy wear and tear inside the reciever. They are very simple guns to take down so you can have a look
regards
Dan
 
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I've been around the trapshooting game for a lot of years and am a big fan of the Remington shotguns,however,you just can't go wrong with a Beretta autoloader.If you can get a good deal on one and you like it(and it's a good gun),Grab it.You won't regret it.
Dave
 
There aren't too many A303 Trap Guns for sale in Newfoundland, so I'm pretty sure I know the gun you're talking about. The last time I saw the gun, the original owner was shooting it - from his wheelchair I should add. At that time it was in excellent condition, very few rounds fired through it. I can't say how many rounds the current owner has fired through it. I know the 390's and 391's will cycle light loads but I'd try the A303 with light loads before buying it - just to be sure.

I believe it's a fixed full choke - a little tight for 16 yards but it will definitely smoke the birds. As for a price keep in mind that a very nice Beretta A391 Sporting Gold was sold at the club yesterday for $1050.00.
 
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it's a great gun in my experiance, but the most important thing is you have to try it first. make sure it shoots well and it fits right.
 
If it is a true clay 303, it will NOT have a magazine disconnect in the forearm. Only hunter models had them. The difference besides the disconnect, were the ports in the barrel. The clay guns had larger ports to properly cycle light loads. The game loads in those guns would wear the rails in the receiver and pound the sh*&^$#*! of the back of the receiver. Ultimately breaking the legs on the bolt carrier. A 303 went for about $500 new! Due to demand, it is now worth about $400 in very good condition. I sold my old sporting clay model for $250 with a broken bolt carrier and over 60K of mostly hunting loads! Bruce Buck has several that he uses exclusively for clays or Argentian doves.

Best regards,
Henry;)
PS: Remove the stock and check the recoil spring!
 
hnachaj said:
If it is a true clay 303, it will NOT have a magazine disconnect in the forearm. Only hunter models had them. The difference besides the disconnect, were the ports in the barrel. The clay guns had larger ports to properly cycle light loads. The game loads in those guns would wear the rails in the receiver and pound the sh*&^$#*! of the back of the receiver. Ultimately breaking the legs on the bolt carrier. A 303 went for about $500 new! Due to demand, it is now worth about $400 in very good condition. I sold my old sporting clay model for $250 with a broken bolt carrier and over 60K of mostly hunting loads! Bruce Buck has several that he uses exclusively for clays or Argentian doves.

Best regards,
Henry;)
PS: Remove the stock and check the recoil spring!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info hnachaj. It is a A-303 Special Trap, and other than a few light scratches on the buttstock, it is mint. I disassembled it and from close inspection, there is no wear at all inside the receiver. I would say this gun has fired no more than 300 to 500 rounds of target loads. And it doesn't have a mag cutoff. The barrel is a 32" fixed full choke.
 
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