Light Beretta 391 trap/skeet loads

[Nevada Ed]

Just trying out some light test loads to see if they would work out with the Gas Beretta 391 instead of using the old O/U stand by "Killer".

This is my duck and field weapon so it does not see much time at the trap range but will see some S Clays time if I don't want to save hulls.

I loaded two trap loads for the 16 yards with 1 1/16 oz. 8's with a w209 primer and used the Remington STS hulls with a DRF-8 wad.

The first load was with Red Dot at 16.0 grains of powder and the second test load was with Green Dot at 17.5 grains of powder.

Both loads would cycle and chamber the second load and had plenty of power to break the clays, which made me happy.

The Skeet load was a 1 oz. load with a CB1100 wad and it was being pushed by a light charge of Red Dot at 16.5 grains of powder. 17 grs gives me 1180fps so I was hoping for around 1150fps, maybe, just enough to work the gas gun.

The shells kicked out just fine and maybe even did 1165fps......by the way the clays broke?
Now I have three X-Lite loads for the trap range for this weapon if I need to use it as a back up and mow I have to test these loads out in the old O/U to see if the clays will pop open ??

The Beretta is said to need 7,400 to 8,000 psi to work , which might be a problem with 1 oz. or lighter pay loads.
In my hurry to get to the trap club, I forgot to oil the action up!!

I did have to help the action close w/o the oil/spray that I normally add to this auto 391 weapon......... but it did kick all the loads out, from the four boxes of shells that I shot.

Good shooting.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a 390 Golden Clays from the mid 90's. The instructions say to clean every 500 rounds or end of the season, whichever comes first. The 390 went 5200 before the first hiccup. I was using Tightwad 1 ounce and 7/8 ounce reloads mostly, with the occasional flat of AA's 12AASC at 1300'. The fouling around and in the gas port wasn't too bad. But the residue inside the action was a bear! The unburnt powder was smeared by the bolt group, then baked into place. Lots of time with a brass brush and Shooters Choice! The old gun (old is such a relative thing!) still runs like a sewing machine, but I shoot 410 mostly these days!

Being an older guy, that all the young bucks don't see every week at the out of the way clubs, has some advantages! A hunting club about 1.5 hours away has just a few fundraising shoots a year as a warm up to Pheasant season. Two years ago my brother and I showed up and only recognized 5 people of the 65 or so there. They were smircking as I got in the Stage One box. 3 incoming true pair that stayed to the right by 15 yards, at 30+ yards the 105 bird ran out of steam while the 90 seemed to climb. For my 410 it was a nice close range shot, if a little off balance. 3 dead pairs! Turns out only ONE other old-timer hit all 6 birds and only 5 other shooters broke any at all. The average for the day was 25 for the hunters, and around 35 for the clays shooters with 12 gauges. That other Old guy I knew, won the day with 41 done with his 12 Gauge, I came in second with 38 with my 410! The important score was My brother had just won his class at the state shoot, but this day had 36 with his 12 gauge!

Crisp Fall days, with baby blue skies and bright orange Clays streaking towards you, these are the sights to live for!

Ivan

 

[scooter123]

I would suggest you try out some # 7 1/2 shot in a 1 ounce load. All of my trap loads feature this size shot because I've found it to be more consistent in breaking clays on the trap range. To put it simply the heavier shot can carry more energy at a longer distance than. Today I was shooting my Beretta 686 20 gage on the trap range with a 7/8 ounce shot charge and had no problem at all smashing the clays 30 or 40 yards out.

 

[H Richard]

I also use #8 shot, a 1 OZ load over 17.5 Gr Accurate 100NF. Get about 1225, but very soft shooting and very clean burning. I use the CB1100 wad in STS hull.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Note;

Ok, I do have one question...............

In my factory 391 case, I noticed an item and don't know what the heck it is or what it is for?

It is a small diameter ( 1/8" ? ) silver ( Alum. ? ) rod with a small button or cap one end, that is about 8" in length.

Do any of you know what this is for?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Fishinfool]

Note;

Ok, I do have one question...............

In my factory 391 case, I noticed an item and don't know what the heck it is or what it is for?

It is a small diameter ( 1/8" ? ) silver ( Alum. ? ) rod with a small button or cap one end, that is about 8" in length.

Do any of you know what this is for?

Thanks for any help.

A magazine tube plug?

Larry

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A magazine tube plug?Larry

Is the total capacity of your 391 2 shots (one in chamber & one in the magazine) ? If so your "Plug" has been installed. if that isn't it, I'm lost.

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

Ah yes a shell plug................

My gun is set up for just three shots which passes Duck codes
so I don't think that I will ever need it.

Just that I am so used to seeing a chunk of wood dowel about 5/8" in diameter for a plug, over the years, that that tiny little rod, never turned on the light in my brain.

Question solved, worries over, carry on........
thank you........
and I will try a std. 1 oz. 7.5 load soon and see how it does in 16 yard Oakleys. vs 8's.