Benelli Montefeltro.

[Random 8]

My specific question to those who own one, is how well they cycle 12Ga 1 and 1 1/8 oz target loads.

The wife has fallen in love with a left handed one.

 

[hq]

The consensus is that they're a top choice for all loads and shoot anything, even the lightest 7/8oz reduced recoil skeet ones.

 

[PapaG]

One of my high school trap team members shoots one. 1 1/8 loads, not a hitch.

 

[JumboJVT]

Mine shoots everything. There was a short break-in period, maybe a couple boxes, then all was good, 7/8 oz to 3" turkey loads. Do be aware that the inertia guns have more recoil than gas guns. Not a huge increase, but you can tell the difference. Also note that the inertia gun need a firm shoulder to recoil against to assure cycling, especially with light loads. The shotgun equivalent of limp-wristing can induce cycling issues.

 

[Random 8]

Thanks all for the information. After handling a Ben Monte and a BPS side by side, she decided she liked the added heft and the feel of the BPS, and the price was more budget friendly. The Benelli was a bit intimidating to take down and function. She is used to an Ithaca M37, and the manual of arms between that and the BPS is quite similar. As a bonus, the one we found is fitted with a high quality aftermarket 24" barrel and is slick as snot thanks to lots of honest wear but no evident abuse. She favors a shorter overall but relatively heavy (dense?) gun, and such a beast makes sense for the type of hunting we do. I'm the same way, whether rifles or shotguns, give me a short and relatively heavy gun for hard crossing birds or offhand woods rifle shooting over short or long and whippy any day!

 

[hq]

I understand the preference. I hunt grouse a lot so a lightweight shotgun is a huge plus when you walk 10+ hours a day carrying it. It takes quite a lot of practise to learn to shoot them but I wouldn't have it any other way anymore. Congratulations on the BPS, it's a quality shotgun, I hope it'll serve your wife well.

 

[Savage30L]

I have a left-hand M1 Super 90, which is mechanically the same as a Montefeltro, and it's the best auto shotgun out there, in my opinion. I've hunted with it a lot, and it never malfunctions, no matter which ammo I use...heavy, light, any brand. And it's a snap to strip, clean, and reassemble. Two thumbs up from me.

 

[desmobob]

If I remember correctly, my Montefeltro would shoot 1 oz. skeet loads after one box of 1-1/4oz and two or three boxes of 1-1/8oz for "break-in."

 

[VA27]

Make sure to keep the stock bolt snug. If it gets the least bit loose it'll blow a chip out of the wrist at the receiver junction.

 

[The old gunsmith]

They will cycle pretty much anything you put in them. I've shot everything from the lightest 7/8 oz loads up to 2 oz magnum turkey loads and have never had a malfunction.