Beretta A400 Xcel - sport or multi-target?

[Bebo]

Decided a while ago to get rid of the DT10 that has been used twice in the last four years and to get a semi-auto to act as a spare for either me or my husband.  It'll give me the ability to go and shoot the Beretta Worlds if I get an A400 and maybe even try one of the specialist semi-auto comps.

So I've decided definitely a Beretta and the A400 seems to get a good write up, so that sounds like the sensible one to go for.  The question is do I go for the standard sports or do I go for the multi-target?  Anyone shot both and have a view?

 

[chesterse]

I would consider the parallel target. I have a 391 parallel target which I can always shoot well with. The parallel target has a montecarlo stock which is often considered suitable for ladies and people like me with a long neck.

It also has a raised rib but is not as adjustable as is the multi target and thus not encouraging tinkering. I personally think the multi target is a cumbersome beast but no doubt there will be others on here who will contradict me.

 

[thebigH91]

My latest purchase was the multi-target, a 28" with the kick-off fitted, I've not shot the standard A400 but this multi-target is lovely to shoot. Due to a shoulder problem I am shooting 21g through my SxS usually, but they don't cycle well enough through the A400 so from my tests 24g and above are absolutely fine ( I even put 2 boxes of 32g 6's through it with no side effects at all so the kick-off works as well). As for tinkering, once adjusted it can be left alone you don't have to 'tinker' (I did buy it so I could play with it) and If the gun is to be used by both of you I think plenty of adjustment Is a good thing. I will admit to 6' tall and 20 stone so handling isn't a problem but you will obviously try both and decide from there. I like mine

 

[Bebo]

Thanks both.  Chesterse, doesn't look like the A391 parallel targets is easily available, none listed on guntrader at the moment.

thebigH91, I'm 5'4ish and my husband is 6'4ish.  My plan was to also order a second stock for the gun, get that hacked around to suit me and have the original to put on when he wants to shoot it.  He won't be parted from his Browning, so he's only ever likely to use it when that is off for servicing or repair.  If I go for the standard A400, the stocks aren't hugely expensive (sub £400).  I have an adjustable comb on my O/U and I never fiddle with it, once it's been set that's it, so I'm not worried about being able to avoid playing with the rib on the multi-target, just whether it's going to be too dissimilar to my flat ribbed O/U.

 

[thebigH91]

Oh it'll be different to your flat rib all right ha ha ha, but for me now that's the fun in shooting, my gun of choice when competing for the last few years(Skeet mainly) is a Fabarm SxS so the A400 is a big move for me , enjoying it so far

 

[Bebo]

Oh it'll be different to your flat rib all right ha ha ha, but for me now that's the fun in shooting, my gun of choice when competing for the last few years(Skeet mainly) is a Fabarm SxS so the A400 is a big move for me , enjoying it so far

In that case, I'm probably better with the sport then.  I want something that I can swop to without having to get used to a totally different set of sight pictures.  I shoot my O/U set in such a way that I see quite a lot of rib and I'm used to the clay being above the bead when it breaks, even on teal.  If I had a gun that shot really flat I'd end up missing everything underneath.

 

[thebigH91]

That's the beauty of the multi-target, the rib can be adjusted to shoot flat or up to 100% above the bead or so the blurb says, I tried it in 3 positions fully up, fully down and its now set near enough middle so 60/40 - I see plenty rib too. Grannies and egg sucking here but you have to try both if you can

 

[chesterse]

Thanks both.  Chesterse, doesn't look like the A391 parallel targets is easily available, none listed on guntrader at the moment.

thebigH91, I'm 5'4ish and my husband is 6'4ish.  My plan was to also order a second stock for the gun, get that hacked around to suit me and have the original to put on when he wants to shoot it.  He won't be parted from his Browning, so he's only ever likely to use it when that is off for servicing or repair.  If I go for the standard A400, the stocks aren't hugely expensive (sub £400).  I have an adjustable comb on my O/U and I never fiddle with it, once it's been set that's it, so I'm not worried about being able to avoid playing with the rib on the multi-target, just whether it's going to be too dissimilar to my flat ribbed O/U.

No it won’t be available I had to import mine in from the States. The 391 was the forerunner to the 400 which is the updated version and the parallel target version is available now in the U.K. 

i

No it won’t be available I had to import mine in from the States. The 391 was the forerunner to the 400 which is the updated version and the parallel target version is available now in the U.K. 

i

Just had a look on guntrader and there are three A400 parallel targets on there.

 

[donna]

Bebo, I’ve got the A400 with the Monte Carlo stock and Phils stock is a bit flatter, you’re more than welcome to try ours out if you let us know where you’ll be if we are there too. 

 

[jasper]

Decided a while ago to get rid of the DT10 that has been used twice in the last four years and to get a semi-auto to act as a spare for either me or my husband.  It'll give me the ability to go and shoot the Beretta Worlds if I get an A400 and maybe even try one of the specialist semi-auto comps.

So I've decided definitely a Beretta and the A400 seems to get a good write up, so that sounds like the sensible one to go for.  The question is do I go for the standard sports or do I go for the multi-target?  Anyone shot both and have a view?

  Mrs Jasper did a bit of a write up on here about her journey to an A400. She got a sporter and had Brierley guns fit an adjustable comb to it . A shoulder prob made her go to it. She shot well with it winning county skeet and sporting and sportrap with it and silver in the  wm area all round , which wound up a few of the trap folk.   . 

The thread is in the guns section . Page 16. Thread title A400 Xcel. Maybe contain some useful info.

Jasper.

 

[Bebo]

Donna, thank you for the offer, if I haven't just jumped in with both feet and got one this weekend while I'm up in the Midlands I may take you up on it.  Phil at Churchill's on Thursday?  Wondering whether to put some dog biscuits in my pocket before I set out...

Jasper, thank you. Just read that, very interesting.

I've also been doing a bit of looking around and spotted that there is now a A400 Xcel Vittoria available.  Already has the same LoP as my O/U (13.75 inches) and has better pitch than the standard, which will reduce the work that I need done on the stock to just having an adjustable comb fitted.  If I can find out if a standard sport stock fits it as well, I think it may be the one to go for.  That way I can get another stock for a reasonable price so that my husband can use it if he wants to as well.  Only possible issue is the 28" barrel may be a little short.

 

[donna]

No problem Bebo, and yes, Phil is at Churchill’s on Thursday so dog treats for Pip would be most welcome! 

 

[vmax1010]

Just remember the long receiver on a semi auto, 28 inch is neer a 31 inch o/u and a 30 inch semi auto might be to long for the gun cabinet personally I would measure your sighting plane on your o/u then compere to a semi auto 

 

[Bebo]

Just remember the long receiver on a semi auto, 28 inch is neer a 31 inch o/u and a 30 inch semi auto might be to long for the gun cabinet personally I would measure your sighting plane on your o/u then compere to a semi auto 

Good point, I shoot a 30" barrel O/U so 28" may actually not be too bad.  I've got a few phone calls to make this morning, will hopefully be able to go and try one at the weekend.

 

[jasper]

You may be ok with the 28". Mrs jaspers 30" added up to a very very long gun. 

Jasper.

 

[Spr1985]

Hi bebo, I have no clue on where you are based but i have an a400 xplor light with kick off system based in Essex and shoot at barrow on a regular basis, I will also be at Clacton this coming weekend. If you’re not sorted already and wanted to try it out you’d be more than welcome. 

 

[Bebo]

Hi bebo, I have no clue on where you are based but i have an a400 xplor light with kick off system based in Essex and shoot at barrow on a regular basis, I will also be at Clacton this coming weekend. If you’re not sorted already and wanted to try it out you’d be more than welcome. 

Thank you for that very kind offer.  I ventured up to Doveridge on Sunday morning and took one out with the Vittoria stock fitted.  LoP and pitch were pretty much perfect, as was the height of the comb.  Cast was a little off, so I've got them fitting an adjustable comb for me so that I can tweak it as necessary.  Should have it next week, so I can go out to play with it the following weekend.  Just need to find somewhere I can fire off 50 32g cartridges through it.  Not sure the local clay ground will be happy with me doing that. 

 

[westley]

Thank you for that very kind offer.  I ventured up to Doveridge on Sunday morning and took one out with the Vittoria stock fitted.  LoP and pitch were pretty much perfect, as was the height of the comb.  Cast was a little off, so I've got them fitting an adjustable comb for me so that I can tweak it as necessary.  Should have it next week, so I can go out to play with it the following weekend.  Just need to find somewhere I can fire off 50 32g cartridges through it.  Not sure the local clay ground will be happy with me doing that. 

I feel certain that, if you explain the circumstances under which you would be firing the 32 gram cartridges, they should be happy to oblige  ?  After all, it is only a 'one off' and I am sure you will be putting a lot of 28 grams (or less) through it in the near future. Good luck with your new gun, I do not think you will be disappointed.  Just let me know IF you should ever shoot Trap with it   !         

 

[Bebo]

Thought I'd revisit this thread.  Stock arrived and Woody on here kindly let me fire off fifty 32g carts in his field.  Scared the sheep a bit, but managed not to hit any of them.  Took it out for a 70 bird try out on Saturday.  Sight picture is pretty much spot on when compared to my O/U and it definitely shoots where I'm looking.  Going to take a bit of adjustment to get used to how light it is up front and not to push through targets too much.  I usually shoot overheads by letting them come past the barrel and then pushing down to them, tried that with the Xcel and ended up having to lower my hold point to avoid pushing through and missing underneath (which I did a few times before realising what I needed to change).

Think it's going to be a good back up gun and fingers crossed I'll use it at the Beretta Worlds next year.