Beretta A400 Xcel Multitarget Review: A Clays Gun, Dissected

A semi-automatic built for sporting clays, taken apart piece by piece so you can judge whether a purpose-built target gun is worth it for you.

What makes a clays gun a clays gun

A hunting shotgun and a sporting-clays shotgun can look similar from across the room, but they are tuned for different problems. A clays gun is meant to swing smoothly through a moving target, absorb the recoil of a lot of shells, and fit the shooter closely enough that the gun points where the eye looks. The Beretta A400 Xcel Multitarget is a purpose-built version of that idea: a 12 gauge gas-operated semi-automatic with a 30-inch barrel, per the listing.

This is a desk review. We have not shot this shotgun, and we make no claims about patterns, reliability or round counts. What follows explains the features that matter on a gun of this type and how to judge whether they justify the step up from a general-purpose shotgun.

Anatomy of a clays semi-auto

Barrel length and weight. A 30-inch barrel is on the long side for general use and normal for target shooting. Length contributes to a smooth swing and a long sighting plane. The tradeoff is handling in tight spaces, which is why this is not a home-defense or brush gun.

Gas operation. The A400 line uses gas to cycle the action, which spreads recoil over a longer time compared with some other semi-auto systems. That is one reason gas guns are popular for high-volume shooting. Gas systems need regular cleaning to run well, so check Beretta's maintenance instructions.

Chokes. Clays guns use interchangeable choke tubes to adjust the pattern for distance and target type. Check which choke system the gun uses and which tubes ship with it, and whether you need to buy extras for different stations.

Stock fit. On a target gun, fit is a performance feature, not a comfort extra. Length of pull, comb height and cast control where the gun shoots relative to your eye. The "Multitarget" in the name signals a configuration aimed at clays. Target guns often offer adjustable stock features, so read the manufacturer's listing for what this particular version provides.

Recoil management. Everything from the pad to the stock interior influences felt recoil, and the A400 line is known for the system that brings us to the next section.

Kick-Off, in plain English

Beretta's Kick-Off system places a hydraulic damper in the buttstock. In simple terms, the damper acts on the way the gun transmits the recoil impulse to your shoulder, aiming to soften the push. It is a mechanical solution layered on top of the gas system and the recoil pad.

Whether it is perceptible to you is a personal judgement we cannot make for you. Shooters differ in sensitivity, and the rest of the equation, ammunition load, gun weight, fit, matters at least as much. If recoil is the reason you are considering this gun, try it with shells you will actually shoot before committing. Many clubs and shops offer rental or demo guns for that reason.

When spending up makes sense

A purpose-built clays gun is a better value when several things are true at once:

• You shoot regularly. The per-shot benefit of a softer, better-fitting gun accumulates over hundreds of shells.
• You have found your discipline. Sporting clays, skeet and trap all favor different setups. Buying before you know which you enjoy can lead to the wrong gun.
• You can get the fit right. An expensive gun that does not fit you is a poor investment. Shooting schools and fitters can adjust stock dimensions.
• Recoil is your barrier. If the gun you shoot now makes you flinch, a softer-shooting semi-auto is a legitimate fix.

If those do not describe you, the money may go further elsewhere.

When not to spend

• You are brand new to clays. Rent or borrow, take a lesson and learn what you like. Instruction improves breaks faster than hardware.
• You mostly want one shotgun for everything. A general-purpose shotgun is more flexible. Our all-purpose shotgun guide walks through that decision.
• Budget is tight. A value pump like the one in our Maverick 88 comparison is a perfectly workable way to start shooting clays, although a pump is slower than a semi-auto for doubles.
• You prefer an over-under. Many clays shooters swear by over-unders for their balance and simplicity. That is a real alternative, and a used over-under from a reputable maker is worth considering.

Non-affiliate alternatives

Beretta is not the only name in the field. Other established makers also build clays-oriented semi-autos and over-unders, and used examples of both appear regularly. We have not verified specifications for those guns here, so compare current listings and manufacturer pages directly. The questions to ask of any alternative are the same: how is recoil managed, how does the gun fit, what chokes and maintenance does it need, and what do owners say about long-term function?

What to check at a fitting

A shotgun fit is a short session, and it is the best money you can spend before or after buying a gun like this. Bring the shells you shoot most. A fitter will typically look at a handful of things:

• Eye dominance. Cross-dominance is common, and it changes how a gun should be set up.
• Length of pull. Too long, and the gun catches on clothing and slows mounting; too short, and the thumb can hit your face under recoil.
• Comb height. It controls where your eye sits above the rib, which affects whether the gun shoots high or low relative to your point of aim.
• Cast and pitch. These adjust how the stock sits on the shoulder and how the gun points.

On a target gun with adjustable features, use the adjustments, and write down the settings once they feel right. On a fixed stock, a fitter can often modify the stock or advise on spacers. Fit is more important than the gun's brand, and a modestly priced shotgun that fits you can break more targets than a better one that does not.

Shells and cycling

Gas-operated semi-autos have a range of loads they run happily on, and clays shells vary in power. Heavy hunting loads and very light target loads do not always behave the same in an action designed around a particular band of pressure. Read the manual for the loads Beretta specifies, and test your usual shells before a competition or a lesson. If a load does not cycle the action reliably, change the load or ask the manufacturer before you start modifying anything.

Shell size is a related choice. Many sporting-clays shooters prefer lighter payloads for the sake of recoil, while others choose heavier loads for longer targets. Match the load to the target and the day, not to a rule printed on a box.

Choke thinking

Choke tubes narrow or open the muzzle to change how tightly the pattern holds together. The general logic is simple: open chokes suit close targets, tighter chokes suit distant ones. Where it gets interesting is that every gun, choke and shell combination patterns differently, so the only truth is on paper. Take a pattern plate or large sheet to the range, shoot a couple of chokes at a set distance and see where the pellets land. Many shooters keep a small case of tubes and swap them station by station.

Protect your senses

Clays shooting means many shots in a session. Hearing and eye protection are not optional. Our guides on NRR and doubling up and what eye-protection markings mean cover the specifics, and both matter more with a loud, high-volume sport.

Care and handling

Semi-auto shotguns do best when cleaned and lubricated on a schedule that fits how often you shoot. Read the manual for take-down and lubrication points. Use ammunition appropriate for the gun's chamber and operating system, which Beretta specifies; some very light loads may not cycle a gas-operated gun reliably. Store the shotgun unloaded and secured, and transport it according to your local laws.

Verdict

The A400 Xcel Multitarget is a serious clays tool, and it is aimed at people who already know they will shoot a lot. If that is you, and you can get the fit sorted, it is a reasonable thing to consider, particularly if recoil is your limiting factor. If you are still finding out what you like, rent, take a lesson and wait. The best clays gun is the one that fits you and gets you to the field often, not the one with the most features.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.