New Beretta AX800
- Thread starter reddog
- Start date
I had a chance to try out another members A800 today at a stand at sporting clays. I liked it. Very soft shooting without the kickoff stock wiggle. It shouldered very nicely and felt nice swinging it. The narrower fore end feels very nice, with a grippy texture. Oversized loading port and bolt release were nice.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to put a few more rounds through it.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to put a few more rounds through it.
Likewise, had a look at the one dealer had at our shoot on Sunday. Nothing about that gun I liked including the 3K price tag.
and plastic with $$$$$ no thanks. Only a opinion
Handled one today at the LGS. Looks aside, it feels noticeably trimmer than the a400 and handles accordingly. I certainly won't be replacing the SBE or Maxus, but my hunting partner is springing for one so we'll see how it does next season. Really wish Beretta had toned it down a little though.
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Flat face trigger , I'm curious if that could retrofit into 1301/400 platform. Same Blink system but the gas piston is coated so the carbon / junk doesn't stick to it as easily and gas ports are changed.. Different forcing cones and choke system with steelium pro BBl's
I am very partial to a flat faced trigger so that is a plus. I would be surprised if it couldn't be retrofitted to the 1301 / A400 platforms. The trigger on these guns is pretty good (mine measures 2lbs - I always need to exercise caution when I switch from another gun with a heavier trigger).
The A400 is a very soft shooter so if the forcing cone changes improve that it will be crazy soft. So the A400 is Steelium Plus and the AX800 is Steelium Pro? I had to google the difference and this was the outcome:
Steelium Plus features a 320mm triple forcing cone designed for all-around hunting and clay shooting, while Steelium Pro extends this cone to 450mm for elite-level competition shotguns
Putting steelium pro barrel on a semi leads me to believe that either the excel a400 will get it shortly or theyre planning on making a modular clay focused semi auto. May take a few years but beretta generally trickles down their tech into more entry level platforms over time
The raised checkmark ridge on the fore end kills the 800 for me. Its raised right where I would hold it and its awkward in my hand. Plus if I need to shoot 3.5" shells I reach for a 10ga. As for the forcing cone length I have no issues crushing clays ducks or pheasants with old tight bored classic doubles or modern a400 xplors. Been shooting my 688 woth regular steelium barrels and was actually equally disappointed and impressed with the patterns when trying it with various tight chokes and turkey loads. It would not produce a tight center core. Even long beard and flight control fed premium shells produced nice even patterns where my mobil choked barrels and fixed chokes produce hot dense center core patterns that are desired for turkey hunting.
Id like to compare an 800 to my 400 xplor on a pattern board just to see for myself
Id like to compare an 800 to my 400 xplor on a pattern board just to see for myself
Here you go. I should have brought my a400 out for a side by side, but it's old news lol. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't look appreciably different from my memory.
This thing cycles everything I've thrown at it. Bolt locks back after the last shot each time. Pulls up well, points well, and I can't outrun the bolt with the trigger. So fast. Recoil is so soft that management isn't a problem at all. Staying on target is easy.
Still, though, I've been trying to figure out exactly why this shotgun exists when the a400 is so good and is still produced. Then I read a thread on canadaguns talking about IPSC shotgun, and I think this is a winner. 3.5" chamber means we can legally extend the tube for like 7 2.75" shells. Pro lifter and the trigger guard angle being like a ramp makes quad loading easier. The loading gate is already huge - bigger and more wide open than the modifications I've seen to other guns. QD sling attachments. This is marketed as a waterfowl gun, but looks like a competition gun.
Anyone talking about this gun being ugly (it isn't) is missing the point. And is missing out.
