A300 becomes a clays gun

[sappyg]

A while back I started a thread about building the perfect sporting clays gun. There were interesting responses. After a lot of reading and a lot of shooting I was no closer to the perfect gun than before I started. A true target gun was going to cost. So, I compromised.
Cabelas had a sale on a300s a while back that I couldn't pass up. OTB the stock was set up for a short left hander. Fixed that in 5 minutes (maybe 10) thanks to the adjustable stock. Now it fits like a handmade suit.
The 1st day out and 200 rounds later I felt like it was too light for the intended purpose. Plus, the balance wasn't quite right. Briley had part of the solution. I ordered a 4 and 2 oz. magazine weight. It helped but the balance took several range trips to get there for me. Finally. Today I think I got it. Roughly 7-8 oz hot glued into the butt stock did the trick. Now the gun balances perfectly in my hands. though it's close to a pound heavier it gets on target and swings like a pendulum.
The acid test came today. After another 200 rounds of RIO 1 1/8 oz I ran a box of Winchester white box through it without a hitch. Total round count is right close to 850 ATMand other than a few FTFeed in the 1st couple of boxes there have been no failures of any kind. I think it's ready for some sporting clays now.

 

[ilmonster]

Nice stick! A co-worker of mine recently purchased an A300 too and has been very pleased with it. I ran a few rounds of my 7/8 oz. reloads (I shoot those through my Citori XT) through it when he and I went skeet shooting last week and it cycled them flawlessly. Also killed them clays thoroughly!

Enjoy!

 

[sappyg]

Thanks il,
The gun has 1300 rounds down range now and has had a steady diet of rio, Winchester and estate shells among others. It will definitely handle light loads that would make my 1100 choke. Last SC outing I broke 43 birds. My goal was 50. I'm looking for 60 on the next go.
The thing I like the most about the a300 is how clean it shoots. Clean up, if you can call it that, is quick. There is very little fouling to speak of.
Though it's probably better suited as a hunting gun OTB with a little effort it can be easily adapted for other games. Here is acurrent pic.

 

[entropy]

A300-series guns have always been good field and clays guns. They are very reliable when maintained, and take a lot of abuse before reliability falls off.

Congrats, sappyg, and get out and bust some more clays!

 

[dh1633pm]

I saw your post earlier in the month and picked me up one of those A300's. Shot a couple boxes through it and its points pretty nice. I will have to work with it a bit before determining any mods. Thanks for posting.

 

[sappyg]

A300 update

The gun has had a few enhancements. Briley 6 oz weight up front. Briley charging handle. Hot glued stock weights were a fail. Best results have been from stuffing 200 gr 45 boolets in the stock with a rag. Balance is slightly forward. About perfect. I added a limbsaver recoil pad a while ago and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
The factory bead shot loose and after other bead attempts I prefer the gun with no bead and that is how it sits today. Shot a 25/25 and several 24/25s today. Based on threads by Kudu and Eastbank I switched from a modified Carlson extended choke to the factory IC choke and have no problem making longer hits. I think I'll stay with the IC for now. On a side note, the factory chokes fit much better.
Today the gun hit the 2100 round Mark. It's had 2 cycle failures that I recall after break in. I think one was because the 2 oz weight had become loose and the other was probably ammo related or it was just plain filthy. I hadn't cleaned it in quite some time.

 

[kudu]

Today the gun hit the 2100 round Mark

So you're just starting to get it broke in huh?

I see quite a few shooters with Beretta autos out at the range, I don't shoot much sporting anymore, just getting back into skeet again with a new shooting buddy. Your A300 should last you a good long time.