Need advice on A303 20 gauge.

E

ebutler462

New member
Educate me on the Beretta A303. I just bought a 3" 20 gauge that won't cycle light loads. Is it supposed to be versatile. I've never had a Beretta before.
 
Many semi-autos have issues with light loads / but most of them, if they are clean and well lubed will handle any shell if its at least 1200 fps.

If you have not cleaned and lubed it - I would recommend it - and then test it again.
 
This is part of an answer from Bruce Buck:

The big difference between the B-80s/301~3s and the newer gas autos from
Browning and Beretta is that the older guns aren't design to
interchangeably take 2-3/4" and 3" shells. It's one or the other. In fact,
the early versions of the Beretta required a pretty crisp 2-3/4" shell to
get them to work with light target loads. The Beretta gas gun was never as
popular as the Remington 1100 until Beretta figured that out. It only took
them 20 years. Go figure.
Click to expand...

full response here:
http://www.shotgunreport.com/TechTech/TechnoidArchive/22-Dec-04.html
 
A used Beretta 390 is considered a much better buy than the older models. Prior to the model 390, the gas systems were simply not as versatile or reliable.

Also, define what you mean by a "light" load. You may find that 7/8 oz target loads will just not cut it. Try using some "Game" or "Field" type loads with a 1 oz payload, and you should have much better luck.


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More from that article:

I have one 303 that I have shot a ton. Well, over 90K according to my log
books. The only modifications I've made to it have been to get Allan Timney
to do the trigger. I also used his hardened hammer struts and link.
Additionally, I use a magnum recoil spring in place of the standard one. I
replace the spring every 5~10K. Other than that, the gun just chugs along.
I've replaced most of the parts (including a couple of bolts) over the past
15 years, but nothing approaching what I had to put into my 1100s. My other
identical 303 is virtually unused as I kept it for a spare and never really
needed it.
Click to expand...
 
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