Beretta a300 or a400?

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Jenrick

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Short background, I recently have gotten into the clay sports. I picked up a used Winchester Super X1, a high 4 digit serial, and as far as I can tell all original. Great shooting gun, but a 30" full choke barrel isn't exactly the greatest option for sporting clays or skeet (though it sure ink blots them when I connect). I am on the lookout for a 28" Super X barrel that has been threaded, but I don't want to mess with 30" barrel I've got currently. In the interim why not get another gun?

After doing a lot of looking I'm currently trying to decide between a new a400 Xcel Multitarget (yes it's pricey, but they are available unlike some other options) or some flavor of the a300 (much cheaper). I can't really find a compelling reason to go with the a400 over the a300 in terms of the technology. Is there an advantage to the new rotating bolt? It's not like it's a center fire rifle that might need the extra primary extraction power. The "balance cap" is a good idea, but there are a lot of ways to add weight to the forearm of a shotgun.

If there isn't a reason to go with the a400 over the a300, anyone have any suggestions on which model of the a300 to go with?
 
I couldn't find a reason for the different features of the A400 (for my purposes of hunting and clay shooting), so I picked an Outlander.....but also because around the time I made the decision, an A300 Outlander came along at a steal of a price!
 
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Ive owned both. The A300 will serve you well as will the A400. The A400 is lighter and easier to clean if that matters to you. The A300 has the gas system similar to the old 391. The A400 has everything forward of the bolt with nothing in the buttstock. If I had the money then the A400 is for me. If money is tight the A300 will do the same work. If I chose the A300 then the sporting model would be my choice with the wood furniture. Good luck!
 
Two possible answers for you: 1) If you load your own, try loading with spreader wads. They work great for skeet. 2) Briley can convert your present gun to inter-changeable chokes. The downside is the chokes may be their own custom type and not inter-changeable with other mfr. brands.
 
Two possible answers for you: 1) If you load your own, try loading with spreader wads. They work great for skeet. 2) Briley can convert your present gun to inter-changeable chokes. The downside is the chokes may be their own custom type and not inter-changeable with other mfr. brands.
I had actually considered Briley's but I want to keep this barrel original. If I can find another one, I will send it to them to be threaded for thin wall chokes.
 
There are SEVERAL variations in the A300 line.

Purchased the A300 Ultima late last year. Can honestly say, LOVE the shotgun. Bought four different Carlson extended chokes and went to town. I use for Trap/Skeet/Wobble Skeet/Wobble Trap/5 stand/Sporting Clays, duck, and goose hunting. Eats everything (2 3/4 1oz & 1 1/8, 3" BB) and shoots better than me.
 
if you want to hunt a play with clay a couple times a year the 300 is fine. if your gonna shoot 5k to 10k rounds a year, the 391 or 400 is what you want. there is a reason they are more expensive. many schools are getting the 300s because of cost. great shotgun but the 391, 400 and 1100 are better.
 
The 300 is a bit plainer and is made in the US. The 400 has the latest upgrades and style cues and is made in Italy. Both will do the job, but a Ford and an Alfa Romeo will both get you to the grocery store. You can't go wrong, but it boils down to your value system.
 
In a 400 action you have the action spring upfront. In the 300 you have the spring in the stock. The action is faster in a 400. I would go for the excel multi target model if you plan to bust clays. Extra barrels are expensive, but that is true for any Beretta shotgun.
I have an A400 explor unico model it is great for trap and sporting clays even though it's a field gun.
The self adjusting gas system in the 400 is very reliable with light or heavy loads.
 
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