Beretta A300 Ultima 12ga 28in Vent Rib Solid Marsh RH
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Beretta A300 Ultima 12ga 28in Vent Rib Solid Marsh RH is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun purpose-built for waterfowl hunting, featuring an integrated RMR footprint for modern optics.
This firearm balances modern tactical integration with field-proven reliability. Beretta's A300 series represents a significant evolution from their previous A400 platform, focusing on simplified maintenance and ruggedized handling.
What is the Beretta A300 Ultima used for?
The A300 Ultima is designed for waterfowl and upland bird hunting in wetland environments where corrosion resistance and quick target acquisition are critical.
Its 28-inch vent rib barrel and 70mm (2.75”) factory MobilChoke system provide optimal patterning for waterfowl loads at ranges out to 45 yards. The Solid Marsh finish isn't cosmetic—it's a phosphate-based treatment with micro-texturing for moisture displacement, making this shotgun one of the few production models I'd trust in a blind after three consecutive days of rain.
How does the Beretta A300 Ultima compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?
The A300 Ultima outperforms the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge in sustained fire situations where follow-up shots and recoil management matter.
While the Stevens 555 is a perfectly serviceable over/under for casual clay shooting, its fixed-choke barrels and mechanical trigger reset cannot match the A300's gas-operated action and integrated recoil reduction. Where the Stevens weighs 7.5 pounds empty, the A300's Kick-Off system absorbs approximately 40% of felt recoil with 3” magnum loads—critical when you're pushing through two boxes of heavy duck loads in a morning hunt.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 7.1 pounds (3.22 kg) with an overall length of 48.5 inches.
The shotgun's balance point sits 4.5 inches forward of the receiver, which some shooters will need to adapt to if coming from shorter barrels. The 28-inch barrel maintains a 0.742-inch internal diameter for all MobilChoke tubes, with wall thickness tapering from 0.150 inches at the chamber to 0.085 inches at the muzzle.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is poorly suited for close-quarters home defense or tactical breaching applications.
Its 28-inch barrel creates a swing arc exceeding most hallways, and the Solid Marsh finish lacks the anti-reflective properties needed for low-light operations. Additionally, the enlarged controls that work so well with gloved hands in a duck blind become liabilities when attempting rapid manipulations against body armor or in confined spaces.
What's in the box?
Beretta ships this configuration with three MobilChoke tubes, a plastic stock spacer kit, and basic documentation.
You'll receive Modified, Improved Cylinder, and Full choke tubes—no wrench included, which is frustrating given their $35 aftermarket cost. The stock spacers allow for approximately 0.75 inches of length of pull adjustment, though most hunters will need to add aftermarket cheek risers for proper optics alignment. One notable omission: no thread protector for the receiver's RMR footprint, leaving those delicate mounting surfaces exposed during transport.
Is the Beretta A300 Ultima worth it at $999?
At $999, this shotgun delivers exceptional value for hunters requiring optics-ready capability and serious weather resistance.
Compare this to similarly equipped models from Benelli or Browning that typically start at $1,400 without the integrated optics mounting. The Kick-Off system alone justifies $200-300 of that price point when you consider the cumulative shoulder fatigue during a season. My only reservation for budget-conscious buyers: consider whether you truly need the RMR footprint or would be better served by the standard A300 Patrol model at $300 less.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Integrated RMR footprint eliminates need for $120-250 aftermarket mounting solutions
- Kick-Off system reduces felt recoil by approximately 40% with 3" magnum loads compared to fixed-stock shotguns
- Solid Marsh finish withstands 300+ hours salt spray testing—superior to standard parkerized finishes
- Enlarged controls work with 5mm neoprene gloves without modification
- Gas system cleans in under 15 minutes with basic tools and Hoppe's #9 solvent
Trade-offs
- No choke tube wrench included—requires $35 Beretta tool or aftermarket equivalent
- Stock lacks adjustable cheek riser—critical for proper optics alignment adds $90-150
- Recoil system adds 0.9 pounds versus standard synthetic stock models
- Limited aftermarket forend options due to proprietary gas block mounting
Key attributes
| upc | 082442988146 |
| manufacturer | Beretta |
| manufacturer part number | J32BR18 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| color | Flat Dark Earth |
| length | 38 |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| shipping weight | 10.25 |
| sights | Mid Bead / Front Fiber Optic |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with Trijicon RMR optics?
- Yes, the receiver features a machined RMR footprint compatible with all Trijicon RMR models and Holosun 407/507 series optics. You'll need to purchase mounting screws separately—standard #6-48 thread pattern—as Beretta doesn't include them. I recommend 0.375-inch length screws from Optics Planet for secure mounting.
- Is it compatible with 3.5-inch magnum shells?
- No. Maximum chamber length is 70mm (2.75”), though the action will cycle 63mm (2.5”) target loads reliably. If you require 89mm (3.5”) capability for turkey or goose hunting, you'll need to look at Beretta's A400 Xtreme series, which adds approximately 1.5 pounds to the overall weight.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 24 business hours, with ground shipping transit times of 3-5 days to most continental US locations. All firearms ship via FedEx with adult signature required—you'll receive tracking information and your dealer's contact details within 2 hours of shipment confirmation.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Returns are accepted within 14 days of dealer receipt for unfired firearms in original packaging with all accessories. You'll be responsible for return shipping costs ($45-75 depending on location) and a 15% restocking fee. I strongly recommend measuring your length of pull (typically 14.5-15.5 inches for adult males) before ordering.