Benelli Ultra Light

[Labradinger]

I got one. 26 inch barrel, made in 21. Close to mint. I went through and shouldered my other guns alongside that one. Some guns are going to need to go!
Plan on shooting a few loads in it this weekend to see how the recoil is. Hoping the low velo Golden Phez isnt too rough, because I have a bunch of it.

 

[benelli-banger]

If my life depended on it, that’s the gun I’d shoot! Birds fall. Love mine, have never fiddled with shims, fit, etc…should, but I haven’t. IC or LM all season, 1.25 oz # 5’s or #4’s, lead … normal velocity, 1200-1300 fps…sweet set up!

 

[Roy B]

I bought one in January and have shot it 3 times. I am currently working on getting a different recoil pad set up on it because the recoil is unacceptable to me.

 

[gim]

It's a nice shotgun. I would refrain from using any kind of magnum shell though. The weight tends to highly increase the recoil.

 

[Labradinger]

I bought one in January and have shot it 3 times. I am currently working on getting a different recoil pad set up on it because the recoil is unacceptable to me.

What have you found for aftermarket pads? Ive read about a limbsaver that may pop in? The one on it seems rather thin, but i also dont need to extend the length. I have a case of the 1250 fps Golden Phez 1 3/8 oz, but if those are uncomfortable I plan on trying some winchester 1220 fps 1 1/4 oz

 

[Labradinger]

I bought one in January and have shot it 3 times. I am currently working on getting a different recoil pad set up on it because the recoil is unacceptable to me.

What have you found for aftermarket pads? Ive read about a limbsaver that may pop in? The one on it seems rather thin, but i also dont need to extend the length. I have a case of the 1250 fps Golden Phez 1 3/8 oz, but if those are uncomfortable I plan on trying some winchester 1220 fps 1 1/4 oz

 

[Joe Hunter]

I plan on trying some winchester 1220 fps 1 1/4 oz

Smart move! Heres some pattern work of mine that ive posted before.

12ga 2 ¾” Game-Shok vs Premium Upland High-Velocity vs Super Pheasant Loads
Are you really getting any benefits from the more expensive “Premium” or “Super” pheasant loads on the market?

Well, let’s see what the pattern board can tell us about some of these loads and how they perform in my gun and chokes.

Patterning results from a 12-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels using Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot inscribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

12 GA 2 3/4" FEDERAL GAME-SHOK HEAVY FIELD LOAD
1 ¼ oz #5 lead (224 pellets) @ 1220 fps
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 173 (77%)
40 YARDS – Mod / pattern 145 (65%)
50 YARDS – Full / pattern 109 (49%)

12 GA 2 3/4" FEDERAL PREMIUM UPLAND HIGH-VELOCITY LOAD
1 ¼ oz #5 lead (216 pellets) @ 1400 fps
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 152 (70%)
40 YARDS – Mod / pattern 126 (58%)
50 YARDS – Full / pattern 84 (39%)

12 GA 2 3/4" WINCHESTER SUPER PHEASANT LOAD
1 3/8 oz #5 lead (234 pellets) @ 1300 fps
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 186 (79%)
40 YARDS – Mod / pattern 149 (64%)
50 YARDS – Full / pattern 113 (48%)

It’s obvious from the pattern numbers that the Game-Shok load shot tighter patterns (IC / +7%, Mod / +7%, and Full / +10%) than the Premium Upland high-velocity load with the chokes tested.

Now, the Winchester Super Pheasant 1 3/8-ounce load started out with 10 more pellets than the 1 ¼-ounce Game-Shok load; and it did put a few more pellets (IC / +13 pellets, Mod / +4 pellets, and Full / +4 pellets) in the patterns than the Game-Shok load. The question you must ask yourself is… are those few extra pellets in the 30-, 40- and 50-yard patterns really providing any noticeable benefit to killin’ pheasants?

It’s clear to me that you could save some money and reduce recoil by shooting the relatively slow 1220 fps load and not really forgo any pheasant killin’ effectiveness. Heck, the slower Game -Shok load put 24 more pellets (a 29% increase) in the 50-yard pattern than the Premium Upland load and had only 4 fewer pellets than the heavier Winchester Super Pheasant load. Just because they are labeled “Premium” or “Super” loads, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are “better” at killin’ pheasants!

That’s my take, now you can be the judge!

 

[Labradinger]

Have you ever patterned the slow (1250 fps) fiocchi golden pheasant? Rogers has cases for 160 or 170. Hoping that isnt too rough since i have a case

 

[BrownDogsCan2]

I’ve shot the fiocchi 13/8 bismuth through a 6 pound gun . They will rock your world at the patterning board. But I also shoot Winchester super pheasants and Winchester’s bismuth and don’t really notice it in the field. I would just say don’t spend to much time at the bench

 

[westksbowhunter]

I’ve shot the fiocchi 13/8 bismuth through a 6 pound gun . They will rock your world at the patterning board. But I also shoot Winchester super pheasants and Winchester’s bismuth and don’t really notice it in the field. I would just say don’t spend to much time at the bench

I have found the Winchester Super Pheasant in 20 gauge with a Briley Light Mod to be the best combination. The one thing that the pattern test that Joe Hunter posted doesn't show is deformity. I think that the penetration of the copper plated pellets is the difference between more dead pheasants vs cripples. Just my experience using the cheaper vs more expensive shells.

I opted for the Retay Ace-R Upland Ultra Light over the Benelli Monterfeltro Ultra Light. A cheaper option and I do like that you can change the LOP with their different recoil pad options. If I don't like it I can just sell and get the Benelli and won't be out much money.

ACE-R 12ga Upland Ultralight - Retay USA

www.retayusa.com

 

[Labradinger]

I’ve shot the fiocchi 13/8 bismuth through a 6 pound gun . They will rock your world at the patterning board. But I also shoot Winchester super pheasants and Winchester’s bismuth and don’t really notice it in the field. I would just say don’t spend to much time at the bench

Ill give it a whirl tomorrow and report back