Beretta 303 semi-auto. - 03 September 2002

As semi autos go, the 303 is one of the most popular to hit the British market. The 303 was effectively the last auto in the early part of the 300 series. Beretta semi's started to become popular in this country with the 301, back in the late 70's. This was a basic 4 shot semi with fixed choke. The main change with the 302 was the introduction of the mobil choke interchangeable choke system. This was characterised by a large retaining collar on the outside of the muzzle. 

A very few of the last 302's were made with the later and still current screw in choke system. This is much neater and virtually invisible unless looking directly at the muzzle. The 303 appeared in the mid 80's and was initially available as a field model. Mechanically, the 301,2 and 303 were virtually identical. The differences in the models were largely cosmetic. A new feature that came on the 303 field was a magazine cut off to allow the gun to be made safe for crossing ditches and stiles and the like without the need to completely unload the whole gun. There had been this facility on the 302 in the form of a lever switch on the side of the action. But with the 302 this was moved to the centre of the forend wood and was a button that could engage and hold back the bolt sleeve on the magazine tube. On the later 390 and 391 this was moved to the side of the action frame. 

Real attention came to the 30semi3 when a sporter version was launched. This came about around the mid late 80's. the interesting thing was that although semi-auto's had always been used for clay shooting. They had always been field models. Beretta was the first manufacturer to really address the clay market, yet the clay shooting market has always been potentially a huge market for the dedicated semi auto.

Initially all 303's were made as 4 shot , but after change to the law in 1989 all were made as 3 shot unless ordered otherwise, and all that were already on the market had to be converted to 3 shot. 

The 303 sporter was made slightly heavier than the field to further absorb the already reduced recoil of the semi. The stock was a little thicker as was the forend with an almost square look and feel to it. the pistol grip on the stock had a square shape to afford the best grip though this shape did receive some criticism as being a little too bulky to get the fingers around. And I have seen a few that have been reshaped. 

Few semi autos can match the Remington 1100 for its slim comfortable grip. Though it must be said that the 1100 struggles to be as reliable as the 303. 

The stock on the sporter was finished with a brown rubber recoil pad to a length of 14 5/8" . With all the 300 series autos the stock is adjustable for drop. This is simply achieved by changing a shim in the back of the stock. This alters the position of the stock relative to its bolt spring tube that runs through its centre. There is no facility on the 303 as there is on the 390 and 391 to alter the cast. 

The barrel was the other main difference on the sporter. That being a wide rib. Wide in as much as approximately 8 mm wide, as opposed to 6mm on the field guns. The barrel was finished with a gloss black and red strip sight on the sporter and brass sight on the field. Chamber length is 70mm and the gun is proofed for magnum cartridges, which in effect means 2 ¾" magnum. 

The rib is flat and matches up at the same level as the action frame. This gives the gun an elegant look.

The 303 works by siphoning off gas from the fired cartridge through ports located down the barrel at the barrel loop or support. In the support is a piston that can freely travel for a short distance on the magazine stem. The piston is in direct contact with the bolt sleeve or carrier. The gas forces the piston back very quickly, which in turn throws back the whole bolt assembly. The bolt extracts from the chamber the spent case and ejects it when fully back. At the point the hammer has hit the firing pin, the next cartridge has been released from the magazine tube and is sitting on the floor plate. So as the bolt come forwards again after ejecting the fired case, it cams the floor plate up, so taking the new cartridge up. And this is driven forwards into the chamber by the bolt. 

All this happens a little quicker than you can click your fingers. So what do you need to look out for when buying a 303 second-hand. Well, as usual the general condition of the gun will tell you how it has been looked after and a rough idea about how much work it has done. 

The 303 was brought onto the British market before 28 gram loads became standard. So they were really designed for and were better with the heavier 32gr loads. Some times they may be fine with 28's and sometimes they need a little fiddling to get them regulated. This is usually done by opening the gas ports a little to let more gas and hence energy through to work the mechanism. 

The forend have a habit of coming loose, which is sometimes possible to tighten, but does not cause any problems other than the feel. Though in general terms, forends are often a little loose on semi auto's irrespective of the make. 

In the mechanism, the hammer braces which connect the mainspring to the hammer are prone to breaking but are usually easily replaced. I have also seen a couple of bolts break, or more accurately the guide on the bottom, though this is very rare and only on guns that have done a great deal of work. The link between the bolt and the bolt spring can also break on occasion, and is easily replaced. 

But in general if a 303 isn't working properly then its time for a good clean and I mean a strip completely down to clean it. Pay particular attention to the gas piston as if this is dirty and not moving freely, then it cannot transfer full energy to work the bolt back. And when cleaned make sure the piston is well lubricated. This will ensure that it moves well and does not become too clogged again. It is also easier to clean. 

The 303 is fairly easy to strip and most competent shooters could manage it, but if in doubt leave it to some one who can do it, or get them to show you. You will pay some where between £250 and £375 for a 303 depending on condition.

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