russian sniper Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi thinking about getting a BERETTA A303 12G for rough shooting and clays.... Thought i'd ask on here for peoples opinions on them and if there are any pro's and con's??? Cheers guys!! ATB Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I had one for many years, and used it for clay shooting mainly. I fired many 1000's of cartridges through it, with no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Brilliant!!! Thats good to hear! I used to have an AL391 and enjoyed using that but i did have a few shots with a guys A303 and i thought it was very good! Cheers! Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Brilliant!!! Thats good to hear! I used to have an AL391 and enjoyed using that but i did have a few shots with a guys A303 and i thought it was very good! Cheers! Daz An excellent model, all round. I only sold it because semi auto's were 'frowned upon' by others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 The one i'm looking at is a multichoke and comes with skeet 1/2 and full chokes - think that they use mobil chokes so i could easily get a full set cheaply. I always used 1/4 choke in the AL391 and did okish with that. Good to hear that they are reliable and well made. Cheers Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) I have both a 303 and 391. I only recently aquired the 303, it is a 28" sporter model in mint condition. I have been using it for clays and stuff the Bigots who frown on auto's. Of the 2 guns, the 303 is the easiest to clean, but it is remarkably clean even after 100 cartridges through it. The 303 is a bit ammo fussy, although the Hull Superfast cycle it without any problems, I have not had 1 jam with the Hull. The 391 will handle any cartridges, with the possible exception of sub-sonics. It is a bit more of a job to clean it with the valve assembly though. I shoot both guns equally badly, although I tend to use the 391 for pigeons and Instruction purposes. I tend to use the 303 just for clays, as it is unmarked, I am trying to keep it like that. With regards to chokes, I have a Briley I/C in the 303 and use that for everything on the clays job, I average 75% + on sporting and skeet all with the same choke. The 391 has 3/8th Teague in and that stays put too. I have not found a need to change the chokes, they both work well enough as they are. Edited March 25, 2015 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Is the briley choke the extended type? Am i right in thinking that the I/C choke is the same as 1/4? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Yes, both are extended. Yes, Briley I/C is 1/4 choke. The Teague choke has a habit of slacking off and I have to just nip it up occasionally. The briley stays put. I picked them both up secondhand. I have a full set of Briley's for my Miroku O/U but have only ever had 2 x I/C's in it. Never needed to change. Funnily enough all of the shooting grounds that I go to, mark a 'kill' on my card if I just take a chip off the clay. I do not seem to get any further reward for dusting everything ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks a lot for the info guys! Have just bought it!!!! Am looking forward to having a go at the clays with it! Cheers Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_79 Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I have one and use it for pigeon shooting pretty much every weekend, it's great gun and will pretty much cycle anything I put through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 have al 391 but 303 are good value for the money you can't go wrong with these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1Nat2 Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I have 2. Shoot clays with 24g White Gold steel cartridges All day long no problem. I have found they don't like short cartridges (65mm etc), not sure why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks again guys! Good tip about sticking to 70mm carts too - have to make sure i dont buy any 65mm ones!!! Just had a thought........ anywhere in the uk still stock parts/spares??? Cheers!!! Daz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IEH Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Mine cycles everything I've ever put through it, except Hull Comp X - it didn't like them at all! Brilliant guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks again guys! Good tip about sticking to 70mm carts too - have to make sure i dont buy any 65mm ones!!! Just had a thought........ anywhere in the uk still stock parts/spares??? Cheers!!! Daz Still available through most good gunshops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_79 Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Just thought I would say, my one cycles 65mm cartridges fine so yours should be able to as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Had one before my 391. By way of reliability etc it was fine, I struggled to get on with the fore stock, too fat for me. Great gun, but just not great for me! My lad loved it and was well ****** off when I sold it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Mine cycles everything I've ever put through it, except Hull Comp X - it didn't like them at all! Brilliant guns. Bith my mate a303 sxp and my sx3 will not cycle these cartridges, the 303 is a great gun. Only thing i get at clays is called a messy shooter as the empty cases go all over shop, but its just pkayful banter as im part of a non profit members run clay shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Managed to get a BRILEY extended 1/4 choke too Looking forward to trying it out on the clays soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks again guys! Good tip about sticking to 70mm carts too - have to make sure i dont buy any 65mm ones!!! Just had a thought........ anywhere in the uk still stock parts/spares??? Cheers!!! Daz You won't need any ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Just another small tip, I found the slight movement between the forend wood and the metal cup that it sits in a bit off putting when clay shooting. I removed the 2 screws that hold the cup to the receiver and removed the cup. I then made a card template to fit into the metal cup. Put the gun back together and check it 'feels' right. I then stripped it down again and replaced the card with a washer made from an old leather belt, aproximately 1/8" thick. Fit the washer and then replace the screws. I can now fit the forend nut without overtightening and with no wood movement. Hope you enjoy your new gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russian sniper Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Sounds a good idea mate - but not sure what you mean by "cup"??? Is it the bit that screws onto the forend?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Thanks again guys! Good tip about sticking to 70mm carts too - have to make sure i dont buy any 65mm ones!!! Just had a thought........ anywhere in the uk still stock parts/spares??? Cheers!!! Daz It shouldn't be difficult getting parts for the 303 in the UK, IF you ever need to. Further afield I understand these people can be useful, although I've never used them! http://www.brignoliarmi.com/index_eng.asp Edit Mine didn't have any problems with 65mm carts, handled everything I threw at it except 21g, they were a bit light. The 303 is also very easy to over oil/grease after cleaning, don't, it will cause you issues, just the slightest hint is all you need. Edited March 31, 2015 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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