Hunting shotguns: New products, tests, experience reports

Over the years, the inertia-driven semi-automatic from the Italian company has become a real flagship, manufactured in several variants. Now the range of options available to hunters is further expanded with two 20-gauge versions designed for the Queen of the Woods and the King of the Bush, respectively.

The Dea side-by-side is one of the most popular Fausti shotguns, designed for those who love hunting in an elegant and traditional way. It is available in all popular gauges, of which we field-tested the 20-gauge version. Watch our video to discover its features.

Crafted in Italy, the Sorix shotgun line based on the inertia recoil system is available in both 12- and 20 gauge, both with 28”/71 mm barrel. Three camo stock patterns are available, all hand-painted. The oversized charging handle and the safety can be easily swapped for left-handed users.

Optic-Ready and with Cerakote finishes on barrel and receiver, the pump-action Thunder Ranch 590 and the semi-automatic 940 Pro shotguns are designed in collaboration with Clint Smith, current President/Director of the well-known Thunder Ranch training facility.

A beautiful day in the Umbrian hills, in Italy, hunting pheasants with our hounds and the 28-ga Iside side-by-side shotgun on the shoulder. Featuring a round-body receiver, the Iside is available in all popular hunting gauges, from 12-ga to the smallest .410 bore. We tested it on the Italian hunting grounds during a very pleasant morning: enjoy our video.

At the Italian Valle Duppo shooting range we are in the company of Luca and Rebecca Rizzini to have fun and try out on the sporting course the Jubilee Prestige Tartaruga Gold over-and-under, in this case in the 28-gauge version.

Benelli Advanced Impact is not just a brand new barrel, it is an actual system consisting of two inseparable elements that work together: barrel and chokes with new profiles that allow hunters and sport shooters to achieve previously unknown results in terms of velocity, range and impact on the target. 

The Krieghoff K-80 has been considered a shotgun legend for decades, both in hunting and sporting use. We interviewed Jan Beckmann of K&K Premiumjagd and wanted to know from him whether he only uses his K-80 Parcours on the shooting range. We also introduce the three (or four) techniques of shotgun shooting, and show some of the world's most famous sport shooters who have chosen Krieghoff …

Compact, essential, beautiful, dedicated in its entirety to the Queen of the Woods and to hunting with dogs in general: this is the Fratelli Poli Essential, an over-and-under shotgun that is really worth discovering, here in a 16-gauge version.

Available in 12 gauge and 20 gauge, the latest addition to the Orion family is designed for both bird hunting and clay shooting. Features include a straight English stock with splinter forend, blued finish and mechanical double trigger. Barrel length is 28”/71 cm.

Directly from the field, we tell you about the latest M2 semi-automatic version that Benelli has revamped in its technical features and aesthetics to make it an even more practical and functional shotgun in different hunting situations.

In the Fausti Caledon over-and-under, hunters can find all the strength and functionality needed for stalking in a shotgun with simple aesthetics and a competitive price.

Beretta continues to update its shotgun catalog with a 28-gauge Magnum version of the A400 Upland semia-utomatic, which is now available with a new engraving and also in a 76-centimeter barrel version.

Benelli unveils a limited version of the 828U Steel BE.S.T. over-and-under shotgun – only 500 pieces will be made. A tribute to not only fans of hunting, but of guns with a special and unique aesthetic as well.

With its sporty total black look, recognizable by the shine of the BE.S.T. treatment, the 828 U over-and-under comes in a version with a one-piece steel receiver, thus heavier and protected in its mechanical parts by BE.S.T. coating, for those hunters who seek a shotgun that is stable when shooting, tame in recoil and durable.

The Italian company begins the new year by introducing a restyled version of a great classic, the Parallelo 486 model chambered in 12- and 20-ga, which reintroduces the timeless appeal of the side-by-side shotgun in a contemporary key. Among the most noticeable aesthetic changes is a new engraving on the body receiver.