Beretta’s newest take on the increasingly popular semi-auto is this handsome gun; its “Blink” reloading system claims to be 36% faster than rivals, a claim Vic Harker has no quibbles with
The semi-automatic shotgun, or self-loader if you prefer the term, has enjoyed periods of considerable popularity among clay target shooters for more than 60 years. Most particularly in the United States, John Browning’s A5 long recoil model (manufactured by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium) was the first genuinely successful gun of this type, being very popular in the hands of the American hunter. It was, however, Remington’s 1100 semi-automatic (introduced in the 1950s) which provided a softer shooting auto that appealed most to the clay shooter, by utilising the gasses expelled by the explosion of the cartridge, rather than recoil, to load a second cartridge.
The Beretta Xcel is the distinguished Italian maker’s latest take on the modern auto loader and it’s well worthy of attention. To begin with, it’s a handsome gun in a purposeful way. In contrast, for example, to John Browning’s A5, the action is streamlined and sleek. A nice touch is that both the bolt’s lever and its release button are made of black carbon fibre. The rib is made of the same material, all of which creates a purposeful appearance that adds to the gun’s character. Of particular appeal to the clay target shooter will be the ultra-fast gas-operated reloading system nicknamed ‘Blink’, which Beretta claims functions 36% faster than its closest rival. There are a number of contributory factors that make this possible. Mechanical function is improved by way of the redesigned rotating bolt and shell carrier. Equally key, perhaps more so, is the newly designed split valve system that seals the escaped gas from the fired cartridge more effectively than any similar device. With every scrap of energy retained, the efficiency of the mechanism is further increased and so speed of cycle and rate of fire is also greater. The Blink system also utilises only half the amount of gas from the barrel into the piston chamber, dramatically reducing the amount of fouling. The gas system is smaller than in previous designs and a steel gasket has a dual role of sealing the piston and scraping clean the inside of the gas cylinder as it ejects the fired cartridge. This self-cleaning feature therefore requires attention only after 10,000 rounds have been fired.
Stock
With the Xcel gas system, which already absorbs recoil very well, you might consider Beretta’s Kick-off pad unnecessary, but it would seem Beretta wanted the Xcel to be the softest shooting shotgun ever, and it may well be. Comprising a system of synthetic dampers, the butt-pad actually compresses in and out of the stock when the gun is fired. Slightly disconcerting to begin with, you do get used to it and it tames the most powerful cartridges. As to the matter of stock configuration the Xcel is excellent, providing a generous pistol grip – important for an auto weighing close to 8lbs – and consequently a reassuring feeling of control. Both the stock and forend are shaped from dark, figured walnut that is in contrast to the rest of the gun, which as with all autos is invariably rather plain.
Barrel
The 76m single tube combined with the long receiver is suitably matted to match the rib and creates a long sighting plane – no bad thing for this kind of gun. Weight is kept within bounds with a synthetic fibre rib. With the gun comes three of Beretta’s Optima chokes bored full/modified/improved cylinder, but other options are available.
Shooting Impressions
Tipping the scales at a fraction under 8lbs, the Xcel is no lightweight, but it doesn’t have quite the muzzle heaviness to be found in some semi-autos. The lightweight rib is a contributory factor in this, but the Kick-off pad (though incorporating lightweight materials) is still a substantial feature which provides some useful weight towards the rear of this Beretta. I have to say, what initially impressed me most about the Xcel was the speed at which the second shot could be taken. As I said previously, Beretta claim 36% faster than any other semi-auto, and I am happy to take their word for it. Certainly, it’s notable in its usefulness – a combination of improved mechanical function, in terms of rate of fire and further reduction of recoil, means the Beretta Xcel takes the auto-loading shotgun ever further forward in its development. While the majority of clay target shooters in the UK favour the over-and-under, I can see the new Beretta Xcel taking a significant share of the clay gun market. I am not suggesting it will outsell good over-and-unders, but for the first time we have a self-loading gun of real character. One of the attractive features of the Xcel is the speed with which it cycles the second shot, which in certain circumstances could be a significant advantage to the competitive clay shooter. With the cost of the over-and-under becoming ever greater, can we predict the dawning of a new age where the repeating shotgun again takes pre-eminence, at least in the USA, over the traditional double gun? We shall see.
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