OVERVIEW
Benelli just keeps on giving, in my view. I love their Lupo rifles for their individualistic design, precision performance and unique styling — and the same can be said for their shotguns. The Benelli Raffaello range of inertia semi-automatic shotguns already has a worldwide, loyal following; now it has been elevated by Benelli’s new patented Advanced Impact system, which pushes the envelope in shotgun ballistics.
All of this is presented in a limited-edition model with superb figured walnut and intricately engraved action faces. Most important, however, is the new A.I. barrel technology — a genuine step forward in shotgun design and performance. Essentially, the Advanced Impact (A.I.) system increases velocity and down-range striking energy through a redesigned bore profile and choke system, producing superior patterns with either lead or steel shot. I was very excited to test this 12-gauge semi — Benelli are never shy about pushing styling and technology forward, so let’s see how she ticks.
IN DEPTH
I’ll cover the external features first. The wood on this model is superb — and it should be, given the price. Not only does it convey a clear sense of quality and fit, it also delivers that intangible trait that makes Benelli shotguns handle so well. The walnut is Grade 4 and hand-selected for the best grain and colour; this is exactly what you expect from a limited-edition gun and Benelli have gone the extra mile to make it feel special.
Both forend and stock are well matched for figuring. The honey hues and darker veining complement each other, with interwoven feathering in the grain. The forend is rakish in both length and girth, with an almost upward profile and a roll-over finger groove that literally cups the supporting hand. Generous checkering on the underside and sides reinforces the assured, ergonomic feel of the Raffaello.
The stock has one of the nicest-feeling pistol grips on a semi-automatic — it has that elusive X-factor: when the Raffaello is shouldered the hand feels relaxed yet completely in control. The slender rake and upright hand position, together with a subtle palm swell and finely cut checkering, give fluid control when mounting.
Adjustability is good: you get inserts to change drop and cast and a 14.5-inch length of pull. Recoil is softened by Benelli’s Progressive Comfort system, which provides a subtle but welcome cushioning effect.
Being an inertia system, the recoil spring sits in the stock; on this 30-inch barrel model that keeps the balance naturally around the back of the forend.
The action is instantly recognisable: a two-piece, fully fi eld-strippable design. The upper section is finished in Benelli’s BE.S.T coating and easily slides off when the barrel is removed, allowing the chrome-plated bolt (resistant to rust) to be withdrawn.
The bolt has twin rotating locking lugs and, to the rear, a long protruding recoil spur that fits into the stock and contacts the recoil spring. It’s simple to remove and replace — a triumph of functional design. The lower receiver is aluminium with a brighter, coin-type finish — and this is where the limited-edition details begin.
Benelli’s approach is ornate without being gaudy: floral scrollwork and game scenes, accented with gold, give an elegant, tasteful appearance to the receiver.
Don’t forget Benelli’s tough, elegant BE.S.T metal finish: impervious to weather and backed by a 25-year guarantee, alongside a ten-year mechanical warranty. Its resistance to corrosion, knocks and everyday use is superior to traditional bluing while remaining highly attractive.
Now for the interesting part: the barrel internals. Keen readers will notice the heavy external diameter: 24.5 mm O/D on the 30-inch model (a 28-inch version is also available). That diameter is purposeful and is proudly badged beneath the barrel with the ‘Advanced Impact’ or ‘A.I.’ wording — it gives presence without looking cumbersome.
The barrels are 3-inch chambered to accept high-performance steel shot. They have a 10 mm carbon-fibre rib with a red day-glo front sight and a bright steel mid-rib sight. Importantly, the internal bore is now 19.7 mm for the 12-gauge, and the barrels combine with the Advanced Impact System chokes — Crio-type — comprising three fl ush-fi t 10 cm chokes and two knurled external chokes (the 10+2 cm arrangement). All chokes, including the ¾ and full, are steel-shot proofed.
These design choices make Benelli’s barrels capable of shooting nearly all available 12-gauge ammunition with an increased ballistic advantage.
For us in the UK having to go ‘eco’, the AI system’s compatibility with steel shot is particularly useful. Steel is less dense than lead and loses velocity and energy faster, which is why we often increase shot size with steel to get equivalent striking energy down range. Ballistic tests in gel have shown up to 50% extra penetration — I intend to run my own tests in due course.
FIELD TEST
I wanted to try both lead and steel through the full choke on the pattern boards at 30 yards — rather than the usual ½ choke — to see how the steel-shot-proofed chokes would perform at a tight constriction.
First, I like to check the minimum shot weight a semi will cycle reliably. Being an inertia design this is important. I used Jocker Bio Sport 21 g No.7 steel and they cycled 100%, the paper wads fluttering gently to earth — an excellent start.
With the full choke, Hulls Sovereign 28 g No.7.5 plastic-wadded loads gave 275 pellets striking the board with great uniformity: 199 inner strikes within the 15-inch circle and 76 pellets on the 30-inch periphery. The pattern was slightly high, suggesting the pattern will remain tight and energetic at 40–50 yards.
A steel load next: Hulls Steel Game, 32 g of No.4. Again, a very tight, uniform pattern — 227 pellets on the board, with 126 in the inner circle. That is superb patterning and will be devastating on game or wildfowl. There were no ‘blown’ patterns, which can affect some steel loads — credit to Benelli.
Eley VIP Steel (32 g, No.3) produced a tight, even pattern of 148 total pellets: 55 inner strikes and 93 outer hits. The slightly larger No.3 shot produced a broader spread than No.4, but the distribution was even and still dense enough for close work — the strikes on the board were audible and forceful.
CONCLUSION
Although now part of the Beretta Group, Benelli retains a strong identity and continues to produce guns that are exciting to look at and that perform as well as they appear. This limited-edition Raffaello genuinely looks and feels special — which is not always the case with limited runs from other manufacturers.
If you want a premium semi-automatic shotgun with superb finishes and the freedom to shoot both steel and lead shot, the Raffaello Limited Edition A.I. is definitely one to consider.
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