Beretta A300 Ultima
The Beretta A300 Ultima is Beretta’s most significant shotgun launch in years — a gas-operated 12 gauge semi-auto that brings genuine innovation to a segment that had gone largely unchanged for a decade. With a 7-round capacity, Beretta’s Kick-Off recoil reduction system, and configurations covering both field hunting and tactical patrol use, the A300 Ultima competes directly at the top of the mid-price semi-auto shotgun market. For buyers who want Beretta quality and the most modern feature set available in a gas-operated semi-auto, the Ultima is the current answer.
Read our full Beretta A300 Ultima Buying Guide ↓
What Sets the A300 Ultima Apart from Earlier A300 Models
The A300 Ultima is a significant step up from the previous A300 Outlander in several respects. The most notable is the 7-round magazine capacity — a meaningful increase over the standard 5-round tube that most competitors offer. The Kick-Off recoil reduction system in the stock absorbs and delays felt recoil, making it noticeably softer to shoot than similarly powered gas-operated alternatives. The updated receiver includes an oversized bolt release and loading port for faster operation under stress. Beretta redesigned the safety, controls, and grip surfaces across the board for a gun that feels genuinely modern rather than updated.
Patrol Configuration: Built for Duty Use
The A300 Ultima Patrol is the tactical variant, featuring an 18.5” barrel, ghost ring sights, a Picatinny top rail for optics, and M-LOK attachment points on the forend for lights and accessories. The 7+1 capacity gives it a meaningful capacity advantage over the Mossberg 590 and Remington 870 in their standard configurations. The gas-operated system is more forgiving of reduced-recoil defensive loads than inertia-driven alternatives — an important consideration for duty use where officers may run light training loads through the same gun. For law enforcement and home defense buyers who want a modern feature set in a quality gas gun, the Patrol is compelling.
Field Configuration: Hunting Applications
The A300 Ultima Field comes with a vent-rib barrel in 26” or 28” lengths, optimized for upland hunting and clay shooting. The Kick-Off system is a genuine advantage for hunters who shoot high volumes of shells — a round of sporting clays or a full day of dove hunting is noticeably less fatiguing with recoil-reducing stock technology. The A300 accepts standard Beretta Optima-HP chokes, giving access to the broadest range of aftermarket choke options available. The gas system cycles reliably across a wide range of loads from light 1-ounce target loads to 3” magnum hunting shells.
How the A300 Ultima Compares to the Browning Maxus and Benelli M2
The A300 Ultima competes directly with the Browning Maxus II and sits a tier below the Benelli M2 in price. The Maxus II is a gas gun with excellent balance and a strong hunting pedigree; the Benelli M2 is inertia-driven with lighter weight and faster cycling. The A300 Ultima’s advantages are the 7-round capacity (neither competitor matches this in standard configuration) and the Kick-Off recoil system. For high-volume shooters who value reduced felt recoil above all else, and for tactical buyers who want gas reliability with maximum capacity, the Ultima offers a compelling combination that neither competitor delivers.
Gas vs. Inertia: Why It Matters for the A300
The A300 Ultima’s gas operation is a deliberate choice that prioritizes versatility and soft shooting over the lighter weight and simpler mechanism of inertia guns. Gas shotguns cycle reliably across a broader range of load weights — from promotional 7/8-oz target loads to full 3” magnum shells — without requiring adjustment. They also absorb more recoil through the gas system itself, making the Kick-Off’s contribution additive rather than the sole mitigation. For shooters who run a wide variety of loads through one gun, or who specifically prioritize reduced felt recoil, the gas system is the better choice.
Related Pages at Impact Guns
See the full Beretta brand page for the full lineup. For 12 gauge comparisons browse our 12 gauge shotguns page. Compare semi-auto options with the Mossberg 940 Pro and Franchi Affinity. For shells see our ammo page.