The benelli folks love to hate

[Poindexter]

I'm not sure that that I could bring myself to spend $3500 on an O/U with 24" barrels, or that progressive of look.

Then again, when I got a 687EELL in 20 gauge with 26" barrels, I never thought it would swing well enough for me and I'm to the point now upland hunting that the rest of my battery rarely leaves the safe.

I use a 24” barreled Franchi for clays now. Love the balance, and it pops orange birds just as well as anyone else‘s at the local club.

I don’t have one, but have fondled one a few times at the local shop. I thought it felt very much like my super vinci in regards to the balance and mounting. I’m not a shotgun expert by any means but before I bought the super vinci a few years ago I picked up as many shotguns as I could and that one felt right immediately to me. Looks goofy as can be, like a camo space gun, but I use it for upland, waterfowl, and turkeys and without an issue. I just really like it. When I picked up the 828u it felt very similar to me, probably the first o/u that I really liked the feel of. They definitely aren’t like a browning or beretta which I really want to like but never feel right to me. Probably a good idea to get your hands on one first in my opinion.

The gun shop down the road got a performance shop Ethos in and man that feels good to mount. Same feel as my Super Black Eagle 3, but a longer barrel. Aside from the M2 Tactical (sorry to say, I own this too) I have yet to meet a Benelli that didn’t mount well.

The weight reduction and she’ll extraction of this Performance Shop 828 is intriguing. Not to mention the price reduction vs. the Sport.

 

[S.Clancy]

Most people would be better served buying a Remington 870 and putting the extra $1400 into practice.....

 

[Poindexter]

Most people would be better served buying a Remington 870 and putting the extra $1400 into practice.....

I agree. It has been nice not being "most people" my entire life

Back to Benelli... the more I think about this Performance Shop version the more I'm thinking it is leading the pack on my next 12 gauge purchase.

 

[Eagle]

Thanks for bringing up this o/u. I’ve been shooting sporting clays for the last year and finally ready to jump into buying a gun for it. These are really light, but intriguing as a gun I could use on the course and carry in the hills. Just wish I could find one to put some rounds through.

 

[arock]

Bit of a bummer it doesn't come in 28 gauge or I'd be all over one.

Their recoil system does work well. I have a M2 and my farts hit me harder then that thing. Its almost too easy to shoot.

 

[daisy024]

The 828U seems amazing. I can't wait to shoot it.

 

[Clarson757]

I’ve had my 828 20ga for two years. Taken ducks, dove, quail and a few pheasants with it. Shoots great and no complaints on the fit/ function. I have been thinking about grabbing the 12ga BEST version for ducks and even turkey.

In comparison I have a 20ga Ultralight and I feel more accurate with the 828 even though they are nearly identical in weight.

 

[TSAMP]

Bump. Any upland performance models out there? Interested in hearing experiences

 

[IanCOLO]

I have the Upland version. It’s a nice gun. Thought real hard about getting another one with the steel receiver. Carries well and balanced; and swings and fits great for me.


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[Clarson757]

Bump. Any upland performance models out there? Interested in hearing experiences

I’ve got one. It had to go back to benelli for issues with the mag tube getting jammed when loading shells. They fixed it but runs flawless.

 

[TSAMP]

I have the Upland version. It’s a nice gun. Thought real hard about getting another one with the steel receiver. Carries well and balanced; and swings and fits great for me.


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12 or 20ga? How's recoil with game loads

 

[IanCOLO]

12 or 20ga? How's recoil with game loads

I’ve only shot light loads through it and it is the 12. They seem to be as tame as you think they should be out of a slightly heavier gun from my perception. I do need to shoot it some more yet.
I’m actually in three fairly new shotguns now with a Franchi SLX 16ga and a Beretta 12ga A400 XPLOR between gifts from the last few years and trading in some shotguns that don’t fit me well. I’m long limbed so the longer Italian brands do fit better. The Benelli 828U is a very nice gun and if it fits close at the store you should be able to adjust it with the shims to be near perfect when you get it home. The recoil reduction does help but it’s not as much as you would get off a semi auto.


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[Clarson757]

Mine is a 2017 upland ultralight performance shop 20ga.