Beretta a-301

[savage21]

Hey all, just acquired a Beretta A-301. The gun is next to new as it has seen under three boxes of shells through the pipe. Disassembled, cleaned ,and lubed it then went to the range to try it out. It will only cycle 3" shells but not target load 2 3/4". anyone have any info on this gun or possible modifications? Thanks in advance!!

[skidderman]

I used to have one. I could put 2 3/4 target loads behind 3 inch magnum loads and it never missed a beat.

[ghostguy6]

Your gun may still be in the break in period, some semi autos need a couple hundred rounds of heavier loads before they will cycle the light loads. Cycle a few more boxes of 3" through then try the 2 3/4" target loads. You could have applied too much or a too thick lube which can slow things down when the action cycles. Lastly did you clean the exhaust ports thoroughly?

[elkhunter11]

My 302 would not cycle the 2-3/4 dram target loads, although it would cycle some 3 dram target loads.

[fps plus]

The gas ports on that gun are designed for 3 inch shells not 2 3/4 . You may find some 2 3/4 magnums may make it cycle but definitely not 2 3/4 target loads. Back in the day that gun you had to by 2 diferrent barrels ,3 inch or 2 3/4

[Pioneer2]

Seeing your gun is 30+ years old it needs breaking in. The Browning B-80 is actually a Beretta and Western Gun Parts has 2 3/4 new barrels for under $200 with invector chokes.That's what I did with my 303-A 3" That 3 " pipe will cycle 2 3/4 " med /heavy field loads.

[covey ridge]

Originally Posted by savage21

Hey all, just acquired a Beretta A-301. The gun is next to new as it has seen under three boxes of shells through the pipe. Disassembled, cleaned ,and lubed it then went to the range to try it out. It will only cycle 3" shells but not target load 2 3/4". anyone have any info on this gun or possible modifications? Thanks in advance!!

Some of those older Beretta 300 series were not as versatile. If the problem persists you may have a smith open up the gas ports and it should cycle the 2 3/4 shells. Be warned that with the ports opened, the 3 inch loads my be a bit hard on the action.

[Pioneer2]

Ruin a barrel just get another for light 2 3/4" ammo.

[covey ridge]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

Ruin a barrel just get another for light 2 3/4" ammo.

An extra barrel is the best way to go.

When I was trying to get a 303 I wanted one to handle lighter loads and extra bbls were not available and a special order took a long time and cost over half the price of the gun. Western Gun Parts did not have the surplus of old barrels they have today.

My choice was to get a smith to open up the barrel ports or decide if I actually wanted a 2 3/4 or a 3 inch firearm. I chose a 2 3/4 because I wanted a dedicated sporting clays gun. As it turned out the 2 3/4 chamber still did not cycle with the really light target loads that I preferred. I had the port opened and it worked fine.

I eventually traded that gun for the then new 390 and it off the rack handled everything I put through it.