Benelli 828 U Beccaccia 12 Gauge Review: A Hunter's Deep Dive
The Benelli 828 U Beccaccia. The name itself evokes images of challenging hunts in dense cover, pursuing elusive woodcock. This over-under shotgun is specifically designed for upland bird hunting, prioritizing lightweight handling, fast pointing, and the ability to deliver consistent patterns in close-quarters situations. Let's take a detailed look at what makes the 828 U Beccaccia a standout choice for discerning hunters.
What Sets the Beccaccia Apart? Design and Purpose
The Beccaccia isn't just a standard 828 U with a fancy name. Benelli has made specific design choices to optimize it for woodcock (Beccaccia in Italian) and similar upland game. These differences manifest in handling, weight distribution, and overall responsiveness.
Lightweight Agility: The most immediate impression is its weight – or lack thereof. Weighing in at around 6.5 pounds (actual weight varies slightly based on wood density and barrel length), the Beccaccia is noticeably lighter than many other 12-gauge over-unders. This makes a significant difference when you're navigating thick brush for hours, reducing fatigue and allowing for quicker target acquisition.
Optimized Balance: Benelli has carefully balanced the gun to promote instinctive pointing. The weight is centered between the hands, creating a lively feel that translates to fast, fluid swings.
Short Barrels: Beccaccia models typically feature shorter barrel lengths, usually 26 inches. These shorter barrels enhance maneuverability in tight cover, making it easier to snap-shoot at flushing birds.
Key Features and Technologies
Benelli incorporates several of its signature technologies into the 828 U Beccaccia:
Steel Receiver: While some Benelli shotguns utilize aluminum receivers, the 828 U features a steel receiver. It offers strength and durability, ensuring longevity even with heavy use.
Lock Plate System: The heart of the 828 U is Benelli's unique lock plate system. Unlike traditional hinge pins, the 828 U uses a free-floating steel locking plate to mate the barrels to the receiver. This design allows for precise lockup, reduces wear, and can be adjusted to compensate for wear over time. The included shim kit allows you to adjust drop and cast for a customized fit.
Impulse Activated Ejectors: The 828 U Beccaccia employs impulse-activated ejectors. This means that spent shells are forcefully ejected, ensuring reliable cycling even with a variety of loads.
Progressive Comfort System: Benelli's Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system is integrated into the stock. This system uses interlocking flexible buffers to absorb recoil, reducing felt recoil and making the gun more comfortable to shoot, especially during high-volume hunts.
Carbon Fiber Rib: A lightweight carbon fiber rib further contributes to the gun's overall weight reduction and enhances its balance.
Calibers and Specifications
Gauge: 12 Gauge.
Barrel Lengths: Typically 26 inches.
Chamber: 3-inch chamber allows for use of both 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch shells.
Overall Length: Approximately 43 inches (with 26-inch barrels).
Weight: Around 6.5 pounds (unloaded).
Stock and Forend: AA-Grade Walnut with checkering.
Sights: Red fiber optic front sight for quick target acquisition.
Chokes: Benelli Crio chokes (typically includes Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full).
Performance and Applications
Ideal Game: The Benelli 828 U Beccaccia truly excels at hunting woodcock, grouse, quail, and other upland birds in dense cover. Its light weight and quick handling make it perfect for navigating tight spaces and reacting quickly to flushing birds.
Effective Range: This is a close-range shotgun. Most shots on woodcock and similar birds are taken within 15-30 yards. The Beccaccia, with its appropriate choke selection, is ideally suited for this range.
Ammunition: The 12-gauge chambering provides versatility. You can use a wide range of upland loads, from light target loads for practice to heavier game loads for hunting tougher birds or hunting in windy conditions.
Real-World Feedback and Reviews
Owners of the Benelli 828 U Beccaccia consistently praise its:
Light weight and handling: This is the most frequently cited advantage. Hunters appreciate the gun's ability to be carried comfortably for extended periods and its responsiveness in tight cover.
Quick pointing: The balance and feel of the gun make it easy to point instinctively at flushing birds.
Recoil reduction: The Progressive Comfort system is effective in reducing felt recoil, making it more comfortable to shoot, especially with heavier loads.
Reliability: The Benelli name is synonymous with reliability, and the 828 U Beccaccia lives up to this reputation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Extremely lightweight and well-balanced
Fast and instinctive pointing
Effective recoil reduction
Reliable cycling
Adjustable stock for a custom fit
High-quality construction
Cons:
Price: The 828 U Beccaccia is a premium shotgun and comes with a premium price tag.
Some users find the aesthetics to be polarizing. The modern design isn't for everyone.
Steel receiver and steel lock-plate can be harder to service
Why Choose the Benelli 828 U Beccaccia?
The Benelli 828 U Beccaccia is an excellent choice for the upland bird hunter who prioritizes lightweight handling, quick pointing, and reliability. If you are someone who values the ability to carry a shotgun comfortably for long distances, react quickly to flushing birds in tight cover, and appreciates high-quality construction and innovative features, the 828 U Beccaccia is definitely worth considering.
The Bottom Line
The Benelli 828 U Beccaccia is a specialized shotgun designed for a specific purpose: upland bird hunting. It excels in this role, offering a combination of lightweight handling, quick pointing, and reliable performance. While it's a premium shotgun with a premium price, #benelli828
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