BENELLI 828U REVIEW

A review of the 20ga Benelli 828u field gun.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

You really help people out with your honest and unsponsored videos, one of the only ones on here like that. Too bad that shotgun cost you that much and still can’t make it into the field with you!

[@paulsimmons5726]

Your honesty when reviewing gear is much appreciated! I bought one of the Kershaw 8800 key ring multi tools after your review and have found it to be so useful. As you mentioned, it’s great for opening boxes. Anyways, thanks for the honest reviews!

[@tto9915]

Thank you so much for a thorough review of 828u. I thought of buying this OU recently but have a second thought after watching your review. Glad to see your video review before swiping the plastic 😂.

[@YellowHammer26]

Nicely done review. That is a beautiful shotgun to me and that’s also a lot of money to spend on something that you haven’t been able to use for two years. Hopefully it’s in good working order now and you’ll be able to use it this year.

[@ericc3327]

I really wanted to like the 828 as a cross dominant shooter (right hand, left eye). Finding left handed doubles that are vaguely affordable is almost impossible. I ended up a beretta 693 as my main shooter, slightly upgraded silver pigeon that has ejectors similar to the 828, and it fits me well so I’m happy. Would have definitely considered one of these for my cross dominant wife if I hadn’t seen so many complaints about reliability. Edit: on a completely different shotgun (a marrocchi 612) I installed the gracoil adjustable buttpad that happened to have recoil reduction. For fit it’s amazing, and the recoil reduction works beautifully. I have an a400 12 gauge and the gracoil is at least as good at recoil reduction, and that’s pretty high praise in my book.

[@keithsmall3092]

I have both a 828u 12 guage field model and a Ethos target model 12 guage. Yes the ribs feel slightly loose but I've never had a problem with either. The adjustable stocks are the best part of these guns the shim kits really work . And removing the auto safety on the 828u is a breeze. Some of my Beretta friends are a bit jealous. About the price I purchased both about the same time as you and the total for 2 new was $4000.00. Recoil is about what I expected for a 12 over under. On the Ethos vs my buddy's A400 multi target the Beretta fore end feels like a club and only a slight deference in Recoil even with kick off. Best I can say try it before you by it. By the way I'm a 71 year old about 170 lbs and shot 75 rounds this weekend with my 828u, would have shot more but the Beretta boys ran out of ammo. By the way I also own and love my Berettas.

[@chassesetterplume3976]

Great review 👍 I feel exactly the same about my 828U !

[@petrotmyrcz308]

Thanks for another great review Desert Dog. I also think it's a beautiful shotgun. Too bad about those flaws. I hope you get to shoots some birds with it soon.

[@4yota]

Keep up the good videos. You do good work

[@markr5132]

Awesome review and the most beautiful shot gun and possibly gun/gun design I have ever seen. As bubba Bill Clinton would say "I feel your pain" but in my case I actually mean it.

[@luvtahandload7692]

Great review,DD. Now I don't have to part with the bling to buy one, even though I think they are available in 28 ga now. 🤑🤷‍♂️

[@DrBreezeAir]

That's too bad it didn't make you happy, DD. Thanks for the review. I was considering selling my F3 for it.

[@TheRoamingHazard]

I have my fathers 828U 12g now that he has passed. The carbon fiber rib is also a little loose on mine. I don't like that but also not sure if it makes much difference as it fits me amazingly and a lot of birds have fallen to it already. My first shots hunting with it was a double. My other complaint is the safety is too stiff. For a gun that cost as much as it did I find it unacceptable that I struggle to use the safety and end up just going open breach instead.

[@tomas19cronin]

Beautiful gun, I myself only shoot a 20ga so this appeals to me but my 525 browning is just so solid a reliable I’d be a fool to replace it.

[@borkwoof696]

Really unfortunate that Bennelli‘s of all companies' QC is off on this. Let’s hope they come up with a gen 2 of sorts.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

This is my second bad experience with Benelli in the last 3 years. My SBE3 went back to Benelli twice before I got rid of that gun.

[@borkwoof696]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 ☹️

[@falba1492]

Most Italian designs favor form over function, in almost every industry. There are exceptions to the rule, and Italian gun makers are the least guilty of this. I attribute it to 50% of Beretta’s revenue coming from the US market. We have little tolerance for big ticket items that don’t work properly. Everything Italian is sumptuous and beautiful, but with the exception of women and food, there is always a better Teutonic alternative.

[@sammartinez8084]

Thanks for the info my friend 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AlexandreOliveiraAlex]

I love it to, thank you...

[@Willenium2k4]

Undecided whether to take a chance on one or not. I may have the opportunity to get a lightly used one here in the UK for the equivalent of $1200. I know the original owner and the gun's history. Reckon it's worth a punt at that price or still not a good buy?

[@anthonyrussomanno1540]

I like Browning shotguns best I have 2 older Citori’s and 725 feather love Browning never had a problem

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Not a fan of rhe fit and blocky ergonomics. I'll probably go back to a silver pigeon for my main O/U (which I think is superior to the Browning).

[@RustySprocket]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I've also always been a silver pigeon guy. My 686 28ga has been flawless. But... Before you write off Browning for being blocky and whatnot(I thought that forever), checkout the new 725 feather. Under 6lbs, and not blocky at all. I'm seconds away from dropping some cheddar on the lightning model.

[@mackellyman5642]

DD, "You Dog"...How could you talk about breaking up with "Charlene Benelli." Great review.

[@Tom-od3eb]

I love my Benelli Super 90.

[@johnmollet2637]

LOL, the Dodge Charger of shotguns. I've worked on enough of them and know what you mean, and I'm a Dodge guy. Cool car for an every day driver but not one I'd put into a fleet. Nice looking shotgun,. You had me at the adjustable buttock, great feature and wish there were more like that. Did the top lever being so far to the left when the action was locked cause you any problems? Hope she works out for you.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I actually found the lever very ergonomic, because I normally hold the gun tilted to the side when I open it to clear the ejecting shells. That lever also cocks the gun.

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

oof. do a review on benelli argo vs browning bar mk3

[@scottposey2996]

Great review. I’ve been flirting with that girl but I think I’ll pass. Reliability and availability is number one for me.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

yeah; she's fun to take out and put a load in, but not marriage material.

[@dancrane674]

Stay with the girl that brought you to the party!

[@kenandrieling5885]

The rib is supposed to have some wiggle . I have an ethos with the carbon fiber rib and it was annoying at 1st but I have learned to live with it

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

According to Benelli, it's not supposed to wiggle. On shotguns at this price point, ill-fitting parts are unacceptable.

[@randallminor4866]

What chokes were you using when shooting the clays and filming?

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

IC in the bottom, mod in the top tube.

[@user-ii7kv4xm4m]

Главная не дорого.. 😂😂😂👍

[@mrsmith9079]

Briefly considered the 12 gauge benelli but quickly abandoned the idea, its far too light to be a comfortable gun to shoot with anything other than very light loads.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

The 12ga version is about a pound heavier than this 20ga, the same as a citori 725 feather.

[@mrsmith9079]

Still too light for my liking xD

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

I just sold my 828u. Such a disappointment of a shotgun. It was junk. I went out and bought myself a Beretta 687 EELL instead!

[@williamfeldner9356]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think that is the ugliest shotgun I have ever seen……. Go get a Browning Citori in 16 gauge and smile every hour you are in the field………

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I had 3 citoris, and now own 2. The blocky ergonomics and fit aren't for me. I think the Silver Pigeon is a much superior O/U. Also, the 16ga is out of the question where I live because non toxic ammo must be used. 12 and 20 is always in stock, but 16 never is.

[@williamfeldner9356]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 shotgun fit is truly an individual requirement for good wing shooting.. My 4 Citoris fit me like a glove, glad the market makes so many different shotguns as we are all different… Really enjoy your videos!

[@RustySprocket]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I shoot allot of 16ga non-tox out of my new model Sweet 16 Lightning. It takes a little forethought and planning, but just order it online before you need it. I use Boss bismuth. It's amazing stuff. I no longer shoot steel at anything but snows, and I use my M2 for those.

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

just buy turkish made shotguns.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

No thanks.

[@RustySprocket]

Yuck

[@jessegiii6737]

Love mine sounds like ya got a lemon

[@RustySprocket]

How'd it perform this season?

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

It did great this season. I actually used it a great deal.

[@RustySprocket]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Do you have any more confidence in it? Confident enough to take it somewhere you haven't been and chase birds you haven't chased before?

[@RustySprocket]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Fwiw, I really wanted to love this gun. But your review on this gun, and Randy Wakeman's review on the Browning 725 feather, made up my mind. I ended up with the Browning 725 feather lightning in 20ga.