The Hunting Test Adventure organized by Benelli In spring 2024, we had the opportunity to use the new Montefeltro Beccaccia 12-gauge shotgun on stationary range. The improvements that distinguish it from the previous version are spot-on.
We tried it and really liked it. This could be the summary of the impressions we gained while hunting, not for woodcock because it wasn't the right season, but for sedentary hunting, the undisputed qualities of the new shotgun. We already had a thorough knowledge of the previous version, which had already given us very positive feedback, and our curiosity to understand how it could be improved was inherent in our testing. The test took place in two sessions, the first day at the TAV in Fano and the second in the splendid scenery of the Fiordimonte Valley. Benelli He often chooses it for the wide possibility of shooting videos that represent hunting actions and the related profitable use of weapons.
The choice of Benelli For this new model, it is clearly visible and concerns the adoption of a new receiver that the gun inherits from the new Montefeltro family. The previous one had a traditional look, while the current one has been completely redesigned to ensure a further step forward in ergonomics and functionality. The trigger guard itself has been rotated upward at the rear, allowing for even better, more instinctive trigger use. Also in terms of ergonomics, the new receiver design has allowed for a larger loading window that is much easier to use. Woodcock hunting requires many actions to be performed quickly, and the only way to achieve this is for the components to be easy to manage. A larger loading window allows for instinctive reloading, perhaps while keeping an eye on the flight and recoil of the woodcock that just escaped our grasp.
Likewise, firing times are reduced thanks to the new ergonomics of the trigger guard. The 500-gram lighter trigger pull compared to the previous version also contributes to faster firing. The new receiver has allowed us to introduce two new systems, much appreciated by enthusiasts: easy loading and easy looking. The easy loading system features a split loading lever, which, combined with the aforementioned larger loading window, facilitates instinctive loading speed. The easy locking system represents the latest evolution of the inertial system and allows for a further step in locking the rotating head. This, assisted by a ball mechanism, stabilizes it with an anti-rebound system that counteracts the risk of accidental recoil, a risk that can arise when hunting woodcock, which is mostly practiced by advancing through the undergrowth. Having the guarantee of a safe shot rewards our commitment to the complex pursuit of woodcock.
Like the previous model, also in the new version of the Montefeltro woodcock, Benelli The company has focused on achieving lightness and minimizing overall dimensions, and indeed the forend appears shorter than other models in the family, while still retaining the ability to accommodate two cartridges in the magazine. The forend and stock are among the lightest in production. Benelli and subjected to laser treatment – WoodFx – the result of which is the exaltation of the natural grain, which in fact makes the wood more beautiful to look at. Benelli Complete the wood finish with a varnish that protects it from the elements, particularly rain and humidity, the latter being a constant in the woods where woodcocks take refuge. This treatment effectively prevents swelling or discoloration of the wood.
The barrel also represents a further step in the pursuit of lightness. It is topped with a carbon fiber rib and its length is tailored to the needs of woodcock hunting: 61 or 65 cm, depending on the hunter's preference. For the less extreme needs of woodcock hunting, Benelli He opted for the Montefeltro Beccaccia, for traditional 7 cm chokes with three internal types ***/****/CYL. In addition to these, the option of 7+2 cm, therefore an internal external and an Ampliator.
Since the Montefeltro Beccaccia is equipped, like all semi-automatics Benelli of interposition rings between the receiver and the stock, the hunter can independently manage the best configuration for cast and drop. The length of the stock with a LOP of 355 mm can be modified by choosing between the two polyurethane recoil pads supplied, whose removal is particularly simple thanks to the traditional screw tightening. The success in the lightness sought by Benelli It is evident with only 2.750 grams with a 61 cm barrel which comes down to the same barrel length in the 20 gauge. The Montefeltro Beccaccia is only available in the 76 magnum chamber., The versatility of the gun also allows it to be used for other types of hunting in which a few extra grams of pellets can be useful.
The field test
The first thing you expect from a woodcock shotgun is "readiness," a generic term that could be defined as the ability to aim naturally, facilitating shot speed—an absolutely crucial factor for successful sandpiper hunting. This is an aspect in which the Montefeltro Beccaccia excels, thanks to a whole series of features that make up its construction, starting with the new receiver that has allowed for a decidedly instinctive trigger guard and trigger position.
The rapid firing action is also facilitated by the pistol's highly ergonomic grip, an essential factor in woodland hunting, where hunters often wear gloves to protect themselves from brush and thorns. A key consideration is the particularly easy swing, both due to the gun's reduced weight, especially with the 6 cm barrel—certainly the favorite of exclusive woodcock hunters —and the gun's reduced overall length, which facilitates quick movements due to its reduced inertia. When we're offered a gun intended for woodcock hunting to test, we usually test its intuitive loading by feel alone, because it goes without saying that a missed woodcock flying through the thick woods requires our full visual attention to detect its recoil, and quick reloading must be as easy as possible. This is decidedly easy and precise due to the very large loading window and the very visible bolt handle.
One element that positively surprised us was the efficiency of the barrel, tested both in clay shooting and in hunting, immediately after having appreciated the excellent qualities of the previously used rifle equipped with AI barrels. In the case of the Montefeltro Beccaccia, the barrel is not Advance Impact but traditional, simply because according to Benelli It is not suitable for the hunting it is intended for... and we totally agree. But the term "traditional" is not simplistic given that the barrel in question combines all the best ballistic technology that Benelli has developed over the last decade. And in practice, the results obtained in our shooting tests have been very satisfying.
In clay pigeon shooting, we were already pleased with the results, thanks to the good distribution of the shot patterns achieved with the various chokes, but breaking a clay doesn't convey the full energy of the pellets, as clay is easily broken. We were able to perform the real test on partridges, which always flew far from the dogs and offered only relatively long shots. And here, the Montefeltro Beccaccia amazed us, delivering a swarm of pellets with plenty of residual energy at a good distance, as demonstrated by the clean kills. This also brings us to the concept of a specialized shotgun; the Montefeltro Beccaccia is certainly the best imaginable for a semi-automatic intended for hunting the queen of the woods, but its demonstrated performance makes it easily suitable for all hunts with pointing or flushing dogs.
We believe that a dog hunter worthy of the name cannot fail to focus his ambition of purchasing on the Montefeltro Beccaccia.
