Benelli 828U Steel O/U Shotgun
Benelli, one of the top names in quality shotguns, has upgraded the famed 828U series shotgun with the 828U Steel model in 12- and 20-gauge. This Benelli 828 O/U shotgun takes the classic styling with engineering advancements for the updated series.
The 828U Steel series takes the original innovation from the 828U series, replacing the aluminum lock plate with a steel version. The lock plate locks to the back of the barrel to keep the shotshell pressure in place and prevent its transfer to the receiver. This helps eliminate wear and tear on the receiver and hinge that is found in traditional O/U shotguns, according to Benelli.
The swap to steel does add some weight to the shotgun over the traditional 828U model, but that weight helps with the recoil that is experienced with higher loads. The weight also gives a slightly better balance for smoothing swings between cross shots.
Another piece that puts the 828U Steel at the top is the Benelli Surface Treatment, or B.E.S.T., that the barrels, receiver, and lock plate receive. The proprietary coating gives heightened corrosion and abrasion resistance that reportedly makes the shotgun impervious to harsh environments. The Benelli 828U Steel is at home as a mantle piece with its satin walnut stock and forend, satin receiver, and gloss barrels, that can also withstand the harsh fields for years to come.
The 828U Steel also features Benelli’s Progressive Comfort System. It is all contained within the walnut stock and uses three-stage recoil buffers that engage under progressively harder recoil that mitigates it to comfortable levels in loads from match light to magnum shotshell loads.
Contained in the barrel are the impulse-activated ejectors for a simple yet strong system. The design helps keep the receiver more streamlined eliminating the need for linkages between the removable trigger group and the forend.
The Benelli 828U Steel is chambered for 2 ¾- and 3-inch shotshells for both 12- and 20-gauge. Benelli offers 26-,28-, and 30-barrel options, and Crio-treated chocks in C, IC, M, IM, and F types are included from the factory. The 12-gauge 828U Steels weigh less than 8 lbs while the 20-gauges are under 7 lbs. The MSRP for the Benelli 828U Steel shotgun is $3,399.