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Benelli’s 828U Sport is an innovative over/under shotgun for those who appreciate modern design combined with outstanding Italian quality.
For centuries, Italian gun manufacturers have created shotguns with beautiful form and function. Benelli has been an industry leader in high performance semi-automatic shotguns, but now this innovative company offers a truly unique O/U, the 828U shotgun. Two versions of the 828U are available, designed for either hunters or clay target shooters. The lighter hunting model has an alloy frame and weighs around 6 1/2 pounds, making it a pleasure to carry in the field. The heavier Sport target-orientated model has a steel frame and is around 8 pounds. This is a better choice for handling the recoil from high volume clay shooting. Both models offer state-of-the-art design combined with high-quality at a competitive price. The Benelli 828U takes O/U design to a new level, incorporating some highly innovative features, especially in the action, barrel and stock design. Pick up this gun, break it open and you will immediately feel the great balance combined with smooth operation.
828U Sport action showing locking plate and receiver.
Unique Action Design
The moving strike-face action design on the 828U is one of its most innovative features. In place of the usual system of rods or levers the 828U has a cam cocking system operated by the top lever. When the lever is used to open the gun, the cams rotate the bolt out of engagement with the monobloc and cock the chrome-plated strikers. By avoiding having cocking rods or trip rods that run through the gun’s frame it enables the barrels to open more easily and simplifies gun manufacture. Since the top lever is curved, it is closer to the thumb of the firing hand and this also helps with opening the gun.
The heart of Benelli’s Steel Locking System is a solid steel breech block that locks directly to the monoblock, containing all pressure from the shotshell and preventing its transfer to the receiver and hinge pins.
The steel locking system has a solid steel breech block that locks directly to the monobloc. This design contains the pressure and stress from firing, preventing its transfer to the receiver and hinge pins, and this reduces wear on the receiver and hinge. The barrels lock into a chrome-plated steel breech-face that rotates in multiple directions. There is a semicircular lug at the bottom rear of the monobloc that engages the bottom of the breech face. Bolting is done by a pair of truncated cones emerging from the frame on either side of the top lever. The design of the 828U creates a low-profile receiver frame which is attractive to many shooters.
Modern Barrel Features
A feature that also makes the 828U Sport standout is a cut in the top of the barrel. This allows easy removal of shells from the gun. If the brass from a shotshell gets stuck under the ejector, the cut in the top barrel allows easy access for clearing malfunctions. The gun also has split barrels and a 10mm stepped carbon-fiber rib that both reduces weight and makes it look very attractive. The split barrels and carbon-fiber rib make for a very lively, agile feel, and helps the shooter to change directions quickly and effortlessly. The barrels and receiver have a matte blued finish which helps reduce glare from the sun. The bores of the barrel are chrome-plated to increase longevity and make cleaning easier. The barrels go through a special cryogenic treatment to relieve stress during manufacture. At the muzzle there is a good-sized white bead.
828U Sport action showing locking plate and receiver.
High Quality Stock and Forend
The stock and forend of the 828U have a stain finish and are made from high quality AA-grade walnut. The stock has a very well-proportioned palm swell that helps lock the shooter’s hand onto the stock and improve control. The checkering on the buttstock and forend are in the form of a fish scale pattern that both looks unique and helps improve grip and control.
To adjust the point of balance of the gun there is a system in the buttstock that allows weights to be added or removed. The gun has a shim system of five drop and four cast shims, which allows up to 40 possible stock positions. The shim kit makes it easier to quickly adjust the gun fit to find a proper alignment. This can eliminate the expense and inconvenience of modifying the stock. The forend release has a button near the muzzle end that is operated by squeezing the forend to the barrels and then pressing the button to release it.
The 828 U Sport’s trigger can be moved forward or backward so your finger sits exactly where you want. Customize it to your finger length.
Performance Trigger Design
An adjustable inertial trigger comes standard on the 828U Sport. The trigger has a 6mm range that can be easily moved so that finger placement can be fine tuned. This helps the shooter’s comfort and means that the finger falls into the same place for each shot. The trigger is removable, and that makes for easy cleaning. The combination of a great palm-swell and the curvature of the trigger facilitate consistent hand placement and trigger pull with every shot.
Exceptional Gun Balance and Feel
The balance point for the 828U is about 1/4-inch in front of the hinge pin. The gun is not stock-heavy when swinging fast, and on a slow swing, it does not feel barrel-heavy. The 828U handles recoil very well, even from heavier load shells. Muzzle rise with each shot is minimal. The lever and action have a very solid lockup that opens and closes very smoothly.
Extended choke tubes are crio-treated and made from stainless steel with a nickel plated finish.
State-of-Art Chokes
The 828U chokes are extended, crio-treated, plated and 3 1/2 inches long. When inserted into the barrels 3/4 inch of the choke extends from the muzzle. They are knurled and so easy to remove and change. A typical set of extended chokes that will meet the needs of competitive target shooters includes cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full. The chokes are easily removed with a cross-wrench-style spanner with a thread cleaner at the other end. Additional chokes are available to order.
Attractive Fitted Hard Case
This 828U comes with an attractive hard plastic case fitted for the gun. Hard plastic cases provide great protection for firearms as they have good strength, rigidity and durability. They are resistant to high impact, chemicals and have superior moisture and abrasion resistance. The case is nicely padded and has a plaid lining material that is very classy.
Try shooting the Benelli 828U Sport for yourself to see how well it performs. We fired this gun using Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 12-gauge 1-ounce No. 8 shotshells and they shot very nicely through this shotgun. This unique O/U has highly innovative features, looks great and is of excellent quality. Shooting this shotgun allows you to experience its great balance and performance. It breaks targets easily and has a very light feel. The progressive new design of the 828U is one that you don’t see on other guns.
Benelli 828U Sport Over/under Specifications
- Gauge: 12, 3-inch chambers
- Barrel Length: 30 or 32 inches
- Overall Length: 47 3/4 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Length of Pull: 14 3/4 inches
- Drop at Heel: 2 1⁄8 inches
- Drop at Comb: 1 1/2 inches
- Case: Hard case fitted to the gun
- Accessories: Eight drop and cast shims; four balance weights; hex key; Torx key; trigger removal tool; full (.685-inch), improved modified (.695-inch), modified (.703-inch), improved cylinder (.713-inch), cylinder (.726-inch) extended, crio-treated choke tubes; carrying case; accessories case. Standard hard case fitted.
- MSRP: $4,399
- Manufacturer: Benelli Armi SpA, Urbino, Italy
- Importer: Benelli USA, (301) 283-2185, benelliusa.com
Tim Le Cras is a freelance writer, photographer, and NSCA-certified FITASC referee, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. To contact Tim email: timdlecras@gmail.com
