Description
The Benelli 828U 12 Ga, 30″, AA-Grade Satin Walnut, Blued, Progressive Comfort is a premium over-and-under shotgun built for the discerning hunter who demands reliability and classic aesthetics in the field. It combines Benelli’s modern inertia-driven engineering with a traditional walnut and blued steel presentation, resulting in a shotgun that performs as flawlessly as it looks.
Key Features
- Progressive Comfort System: Reduces felt recoil by up to 60% through a combination of an ergonomic stock design and advanced recoil pad technology.
- AA-Grade Satin Walnut Stock: Hand-selected walnut with a satin oil finish provides a secure, classic grip that improves with age and use.
- Steelium Pro Barrel System: 30″ blued barrels with lengthened forcing cones and back-bored chokes for consistent, dense patterns and reduced perceived recoil.
- Inertia-Driven Action: Benelli’s proven, self-cleaning system ensures reliable cycling with target loads up to 3″ magnums, with no gunsmithing required for maintenance.
- Low-Profile Receiver: The streamlined, blued steel receiver offers a fast, natural sight plane and contributes to the gun’s exceptional balance.
Specifications & Details
| Gauge: | 12 Gauge |
| Chamber: | 3″ |
| Barrel Length: | 30 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 47.5 Inches |
| Weight: | 6.9 lbs |
| Stock: | AA-Grade Satin Walnut |
| Chokes: | 5 Crio Chokes (F, IM, M, IC, C) |
Weighing in at 6.9 lbs, the 828U carries its weight intelligently, with a point of balance that makes sustained shooting sessions less fatiguing. The 30″ barrels are the ideal length for waterfowl and sporting clays, providing a smooth, deliberate swing. The included set of five Crio chokes lets you fine-tune your pattern for everything from close-flushing pheasants to high-flying geese. Here’s the thing—this is a tool built for a specific purpose: consistent, repeatable performance under demanding conditions. The price reflects that purpose, coming in at $2255.06 for a firearm that is drop-in ready for the season.
Who This Shotgun Is For
This is the over-and-under for the hunter who has moved past entry-level guns and seeks a lifetime companion. It’s for the waterfowler who spends dawn in a blind, the upland hunter covering miles of prairie, and the clays shooter demanding consistency from station to station. When your shot at a limit of greenheads depends on a flawless second shot, the 828U’s reliability is non-negotiable. Its classic looks and modern performance bridge the gap between tradition and technology.
Pros & Cons
Pros: The inertia-driven system is famously reliable in dirty, wet conditions. The Progressive Comfort stock genuinely mitigates recoil, a major benefit during long days or with heavy loads. The fit and finish are exemplary, with deep, even bluing and finely figured wood. It’s compatible with a wide range of aftermarket accessories, including Briley chokes and custom recoil pads.
Cons: The premium materials and construction command a premium price point. The 30″ barrel can feel lengthy in extremely tight cover, though it excels in open country. As with any finely finished walnut stock, it requires more care than a synthetic stock to avoid dings and moisture damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the stock length adjustable?
A: The stock is a fixed, traditional design. The Progressive Comfort system is built into the stock’s geometry and pad, but length of pull is not field-adjustable. For a perfect fit, we recommend professional fitting, which is a common service for shotguns at this level.
Q: What shells can I run through it?
A: The Benelli 828U handles 12-gauge shells from light 2 3/4″ target loads up to 3″ magnums without adjustment. Its inertia system is less sensitive to low-power loads than some gas-operated systems, making it versatile across disciplines. Always remember, FFL transfer required for firearm purchases.
Q: How does it compare to a Browning Citori or Beretta 686?
A: The 828U stands apart with its modern, low-profile receiver and inertia-driven action, which is simpler and often easier to clean than the mechanical trigger groups of those boxlock competitors. It’s a matter of preference between traditional mechanical engineering (Browning/Beretta) and Benelli’s minimalist, inertia-based approach. All are top-tier choices.
This Benelli 828U is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide. If you’re ready to step up to an over-and-under that balances heritage with hard-use engineering, this is your next gun.
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