vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Hello all looking for a bit of help/info and advice please, im looking to replace my hatsan escort with another semi as I cant seem to get on with it, although its been very reliable ( for the 200 or so rounds ive put through it ) I rushed into buying it and have found the grip and forend to be a little chunky for me ( it is the wood stock model ) and dont like the rubber tri system butt pad. Ive done the relevant searches on here and it seems that a berreta is the way to go for reliability. Can someone please tell me the differance/years of manufacture and best choice out of the 301/302 and 303 series as for my budget of £400 they seem to be the models in my price bracket, thanks jamie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 You might get a well used A390 for that money. A fine gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 I have a secondhand 303 and its the nuts!! No problem with any ammo from 21g 8s through to 36g 4s only ever had one stoppage and that was my fault for not cleaning it after shooting approx 300+ rounds on a clay day I paid £450 for it 6 months ago shoots well, feels good what more can i say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 If you don't want a fat forend it might be better to go up to a Beretta 391, or buy a recoil operated one such as a Benelli M2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Hello Jamie, im pretty sure the all the models you mention were bought out very close to each other as for differences i cant help on that one. You should find a nice one within your budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) http://www.chuckhawks.com/beretta_300series_mystery.htm Have a read of this! I've got a 302 and can't recommend them enough! I think you'd be very pleased by any of the 300 series Edited January 16, 2012 by Wildfowler12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 If you don't want a fat forend it might be better to go up to a Beretta 391, or buy a recoil operated one such as a Benelli M2 After my searches on here I had set my sights on the 391 as it came out an obvious favorite, but im looking for a rough gun so I can limit the use of my browning, I cant help but be a little over precious with my guns as it is, I know it would be ideal but if I spent £500 plus on it I know id still be over protective with it, and thats what im trying to avoid, thanks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 http://www.chuckhawks.com/beretta_300series_mystery.htm Have a read of this! I've got a 302 and can't recommend them enough! I think you'd be very pleased by any of the 300 series Thanks for the link, so from what I could understand in it the 301/2/3 series require a barrel change if increasing cartridge size but the 390 upwards doesnt? Sorry if im being a numpty, but can I pressume then that if I opt for a 301/2/3 it should come with another barrel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Thanks for the link, so from what I could understand in it the 301/2/3 series require a barrel change if increasing cartridge size but the 390 upwards doesnt? Sorry if im being a numpty, but can I pressume then that if I opt for a 301/2/3 it should come with another barrel? I would suggest by the article that its American, as i own a 303 i didn't get a second barrel and cant see someone keeping it if there was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Thanks for the link, so from what I could understand in it the 301/2/3 series require a barrel change if increasing cartridge size but the 390 upwards doesnt? Sorry if im being a numpty, but can I pressume then that if I opt for a 301/2/3 it should come with another barrel? Myself and 3 of my friends have 300's and none of our guns came with spare barrels. Maybe I've posted the wrong link but I don't remember reading anything about a spare barrel? I'll have another look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Myself and 3 of my friends have 300's and none of our guns came with spare barrels. Maybe I've posted the wrong link but I don't remember reading anything about a spare barrel? I'll have another look. I’ve owned dozens of A303’s, B-80’s, 390’s and 391’s. Let’s start with what is "wrong" with the 302 / B-80 / 303 platform, the answer being not a thing. It is, in my view, the simplest and best field gun action of all of them. The B-80 / 303 scatterguns are easy to clean and very easy to work with. Changing from 1-1/8 ounce loads to heavy three inch shells is a momentary task,with a quick and easy barrel change. As long as we have some clue about what we want to shoot, there are no issues. The problem is, of course, is that many of us are decisionally challenged about that. Sorry ive mis understood it but it does say "with a quick and easy barrel change". I guess it means you would need to source and change the barrel to shoot 3" loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tis1979 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 I've had a 303 ( wish I never sold it ) now have a 302 bothe been fantastic guns only difference really is the chokes are flush fit in the barrel on the 303 and screw knurl on the 302 makes no difference to me though used it yesterday and it was good as ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Think the 303 could be the gun for me, now to find one. Thanks for all your replies gentlemen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Just seen this advertised for sale on here. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/193404-beretta-391-urika-1-synthetic-12-gauge/page__pid__1648158#entry1648158 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B525 LIGHT Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Ive an excellent 391 for sale for not much more money!! Take a look in the trading post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Thanks for the heads up but im in suffolk, not done an RFD to RFD before and think id like to have a good look over a possible purchase before parting with my hard earned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciaran Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 I had a 303 and it was a reliable gun, the only reason I changed it was because it only had 2 3/4 inch chambers...and I wanted 3inch chambers... Although the 303 I had was a sporter model and the forepiece on it was chunky enough... Have seen the field ones and they seem better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan gun Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 i also have a A303 and its more reliable than alot of the £1,000+ guns on the clay shoot and they have very little felt recoil for me. it will shoot 21g upto 50g easy all day long and only had one jam last year with a bad cartridge. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Think the 303 could be the gun for me, now to find one. Thanks for all your replies gentlemen Not if you don't like a chunky forend, its FAT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbank Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 You might get a well used A390 for that money. A fine gun. Yes I will echo that. Should get a decent enough S/H gun for the price if you go for a 'plain' one i.e. avoid Lioness, Gold/Silver Mallards etc. I have had mine for 16 years now with just one connecting rod replacement. Reliable and handles well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdubber Posted January 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Not if you don't like a chunky forend, its FAT! Hopefully ill get to handle a few this weekend and see how they feel. A chunky foreend wouldnt put me off all together its just that my hatsan felt like a chunky plank all over, i havnt handled a synthetic stocked hatsan but have been told that they are slimmer than the wooden stocked versions. Theirs a good gunshop in newmarket which isnt to far from me they usually have a good second hand range, hopefully theyll have a few 300 series i can try out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciaran Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Yes I will echo that. Should get a decent enough S/H gun for the price if you go for a 'plain' one i.e. avoid Lioness, Gold/Silver Mallards etc. I have had mine for 16 years now with just one connecting rod replacement. Reliable and handles well. Why would you avoid avoid Lioness, Gold/Silver Mallards etc.? Because I got a 390 silver mallard...and was wondering if there is any problems with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Why would you avoid avoid Lioness, Gold/Silver Mallards etc.? Because I got a 390 silver mallard...and was wondering if there is any problems with it? Because the budget might not stretch to a special one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 i also have a A303 and its more reliable than alot of the £1,000+ guns on the clay shoot and they have very little felt recoil for me. it will shoot 21g upto 50g easy all day long and only had one jam last year with a bad cartridge. :yes: Thought they wee only 2 3/4" and not 3" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Hopefully ill get to handle a few this weekend and see how they feel. A chunky foreend wouldnt put me off all together its just that my hatsan felt like a chunky plank all over, i havnt handled a synthetic stocked hatsan but have been told that they are slimmer than the wooden stocked versions. Theirs a good gunshop in newmarket which isnt to far from me they usually have a good second hand range, hopefully theyll have a few 300 series i can try out I had a 303 for many years and it was a great semi, my lad loved it, there was nothing wrong with it at all, and I had a 686 Sporting Special as well. I was at a Clay shoot about 10 years ago and a guy turned up with a 391, it was the first I had seen, he let me shoulder it and I fell in love, it was just so much more like the 686 to handle. I had one within a short time and love it, the 303 got sidelined and I ended up trading it on a rifle. Just the same the 303 is excellent, still lots about and a good one still costs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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