Can I update an older Beretta A-M-300 shotgun?

FLHTCUI said:
Your gun your risks of the slim chance of bulging the barrel.
You can find a replacement now or later, but in the end the risk tolerance is up to you.
You can shoot bismuth through your current barrel, but the costs will climb quickly not to mention availability of said ammo.
I see you have some prices on the process or installing threaded tubes.
Rob
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Maybe the least expensive option would be to have the choke opened up to a Modified choke.

Shooting steel shot should be safe then, wouldn't it??
 
Ha, the easiest option would be to just buy a new shotgun and hunt for a A303 barrel with chokes.
 
Falconflyer said:
Plus exchange at 1.38, shipping, duty and tax coming back into the country as well as a several month wait.
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Still cheaper than buying a new gun, you retain the gun you like and want to shoot AND it can be done in the off-season and back to you in time for the next. If I hadn't done it with mine I would not have gotten the extra 13 years out of the gun before I decided to change to something else years later. Was worth every dime and the effort to ship it in my opinion and I would do it all over again..
 
I have A300 & A301, both owned since new & close to 45 - 50 yrs old. When steel shot came to be necessary for waterfowl I had choke systems installed. I had the work done by two different gunsmiths a few years apart. I neither case did not specify to gunsmith what choke system to use, & in both cases they installed Colonial Arms thin wall, with a extended modified choke. I later ordered extended Improved Cylinder tubes directly from Colonial Arms. These are quality shotguns & have worked great with that set up. Two of my grandsons now have them, & are their main waterfowl guns. As both guns have 3” barrels neither gun always functions consistently when using low fps lead shells for casual clay busting or upland hunting, but just keep it clean & up the speed a bit on the shells & they work fine.

Many years ago I owned a 301 chambered for 2 3/4” which worked perfect for upland with whatever lead shot was available then. Sadly I traded that Beretta 2 3/4” on something shinier.

Both gunsmiths did not recommend reaming out the chokes, but that was a long time ago so maybe techniques have changed. I believe that only aftermarket installed thin wall choke systems are acceptable options for these Beretta barrels. Cannot find Colonial Arms web page so guess the only option is Briley. As others stated Lots of $$$.

I recommend being patient & wait for 3” barrel with choke system installed or set up in a modified choke. Also could consider stepping down to 2 3/4” barrel with either choke system or modified choke. While the 2 3/4” barrel will not allow for using 3” shells there are 2 3/4” steel shot shells available & this barrel would enable dependable use of all low fps shells. And yes Browning B80 barrels will interchange.

They are great guns & well worth getting into a configuration that works for you.
 
For the cost of sending to briley you can buy a new a 300 outlander with better bore dimensions and likely longer forcing cone . I’m guessing 800$-900$ by the time you get it home likely more and you still have a bbl that was not designed for steel shot
 
For all the comments and thoughts and opinions costs of getting chokes installed in the USA and such find a qualified smith have it opened up for $160 and shoot it for the next 20 yrs plus . Yes I know it’s chrome I have done many . To over think is a waste of precious time
 
My fixed mod barrels in both 2.75" and 3" both pattern most steel loads just fine for ducks out to 40 yards. I shoot BB #2 and #4 steel.

Years ago I was quoted 1400 to have Briley put chokes in a 10ga sxs with only 2 choke tubes. Plus shipping to Lawry's and back

I had the barrels opened by shop that claimed to have a gunsmith on site. Ended up having to have it redone to fix the damage done
 
brybenn said:
My fixed mod barrels in both 2.75" and 3" both pattern most steel loads just fine for ducks out to 40 yards. I shoot BB #2 and #4 steel.

Years ago I was quoted 1400 to have Briley put chokes in a 10ga sxs with only 2 choke tubes. Plus shipping to Lawry's and back

I had the barrels opened by shop that claimed to have a gunsmith on site. Ended up having to have it redone to fix the damage done
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Any recommendations on a good shotgun smith to contact?
 
There is a site sponsor you could contact on Fraser St. they might be able to help you figure this out.
Then there is Gary Flach a member here on the forum as well , lives in Langley (apologize to Gary if I spelled your name wrong).
Rob
 
Chokes IMHO are an expensive option that really does not need to be done unless you are a clay shooter .As BB said competent smith opened up to mod or IC should cover any type of hunting needs .
 
hawk-i said:
Any recommendations on a good shotgun smith to contact?
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Give Peter out at Rusty Wood Trading a call, he has Truchoke and thin wall options as well can thread barrels for Rem and iirc winchoke. He did a short 870 barrel for me, great work and quick turnaround. Reasonably priced as well, he’s in mission BC.
 
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