Walnut Benelli Recoil?

[ArmedBear]

Saw one in the shop the other day, 12 Gauge 26". Light, great handling, nice ergonomics, seemed like a great pheasant gun.

This one is walnut, which I tend to like.

However, I've never shot a Benelli without their elaborate cushioning system.

What does a light 12 Gauge short-recoil gun like that feel like when you shoot it with field loads, without any fancy recoil absorption?

I'm wondering if it would be a good skeet/sporting clays gun, or if it would be less than ideal, and best suited to field use. I'm guessing the latter, but haven't had a chance to try it.

I haven't seen any 12 Gauge Benellis at the range, unless they have the recoil-reducing stuff.

Anyone?

 

[DaleCooper51]

I put a couple thousand rounds through an older HK imported 28" Benelli Black Eagle Competition last year. A friend let me shoot on an extended loan to see how I liked it. It looked just like the Legacy and handled really well. I was able to shoot 4 rounds of skeet with out any real discomfort. If I were to use one as a skeet gun, I would definitely add weight to it. Otherwise, I would consider it a real nice field gun. All I can say about recoil is that it recoils less than my Wingmaster and more than my 8.5 lb O/U.

 

[oneounceload]

All I can say about recoil is that it recoils less than my Wingmaster and more than my 8.5 lb O/U.

Sounds as if your other guns do not fit as well as this one. A heavier gun will ALWAYS have less recoil with the same ammunition; however, the FELT recoil will seem to be less with a gun that fits properly

 

[DaleCooper51]

Sorry, it wasn't the same load. I had to modify my load slightly as the Benelli wouldn't reliably cycle 1oz at 1145 fps. It just didn't have enough oomph to fully cycle the bolt. Most times it would take the second round, but it wouldnt lock the action open. I upped my loading to right around 1200 fps and it worked no problem.

Regarding the fit on the other guns, the wingmaster LOP is short for me as I used it for deer hunting and would have a number of layers on. The O/U is only a few weeks old and the length of pull needs to be shortened about a 1/4". Seeing a stock fitter mid October when I have some time off.