Shotgun with a bulging barrel

[McQuackin]

I was given my grandfather's 12 gauge Beretta A303, it has a 28" barrel able to chamber 3" rounds magnum rounds.  Took it out for a spin on some clays and it performed great, went to clean it and noticed it has a bulge in the barrel about 6" forward from the base of the barrel right after the taper. The bulge is large enough that it is touching the wood on the front grip of the gun.  I'm not asking if this is safe to shoot, I know it isn't.  I'm having a hard time sourcing a new barrel for the gun, they seem to be discontinued.  Does anyone have an idea on where to find one or in the case where I cannot find one what do I do with a gun that is useless.

[EnglishSetter]

I have a Browning B-80.  Same gun (made by Beretta) with a different receiver shape.  There's frequently barrels on Gunbroker.  Far from free.  A quick view showed a like new 3" barrel with screw chokes for $400.

There's also vendors who specialize in barrels like Corson's.

302 and 303's share barrels TMK.  This was about the time screw-in chokes hit the mass market, so some compatible barrels will have them, some not.

Also note that in this era, 3" barrels were "iffy" about target loads.  One reasons I have both 2-3/4" and 3" barrels for my B80.  Back in the day, some opened up the gas ports on 3" barrels.  Would still shoot 3" shells, but harder in the internals.

From Corson's:

Browning B-80, Beretta AL, 300, 301, 302, 303 Shotgun Barrels will interchange

FWIW, there's varying opinions on the resulting safety of a bulged barrel. 

[McQuackin]

Tell me more about these varying opinions.  It seems to me the only way he could have caused stress in this area would be an overpressure round or the barrel getting very hot or combo over both.  Unfortunately I'm attached to the gun to the point that I would buy a new barrel if I could find one.  I think it would make an excellent upland option.

[storyteller]

I would check with midwest gun works, they are the repair station for older beretta shotguns, I had an A300 from the 1970's, it would not cycle after initial shot.   They did not have any parts that would work on it so I really could not do anything with it, I asked them if they could use it for parts, they said yes, all I had to do was give them the serial number and a brief message stating that I gave it to them.   So they have/had a possible barrel for you.   Very Awesome company.

[EnglishSetter]

Tell me more about these varying opinions.  It seems to me the only way he could have caused stress in this area would be an overpressure round or the barrel getting very hot or combo over both.  Unfortunately I'm attached to the gun to the point that I would buy a new barrel if I could find one.  I think it would make an excellent upland option.

You know what they say about opinions. 

However I do recall a notice from Browning that a slight bulge ~6" in front of the chamber from steel shot loads didn't take a gun out of service. 

I'm not going to state an opinion one way or another.  I haven't seen or measured the firearm and I'm not qualified to do so.  Erring on the side of caution would seem the prudent choice.

Barrels can be had.  Corson's is even selling one with a "slight bulge". 

If you slate the gun for upland, I'd prolly consider a 2-3/4" barrel vs 3".

[Remnar]

 Keep an eye out on Grunbroker and Ebay. You will find what you want/need. Not cheap so maybe just buy another gun take the barrel an sell the rest or keep it for other parts.

[lee]

Another source to keep an eye on:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Beretta+A303+barrell

[reloadxl650]

Barrel exchange has a couple

[JDHasty]

Home loaded steel shot is probably the cause of the bulge.  That Beretta A303 is a fine gun.  The Beretta barrels are very high tensile strength steel and the old methods of repairing a bulge are a death trap on these barrels.  Basically, if it is bulged it has been severely over stressed and is probably not really safe.  They do show up from time to time.