Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light

The Montefeltro has long been Benelli’s entry-level shotgun, though some clay shooters will tell you it’s the best inertia-driven autoloader the Italians have ever made. Its sleek lines and balanced weight distribution have made it a favorite at the skeet range since it debuted in 1983. Similarly, grouse and quail hunters love the Montefeltro Ultra Light, because it is lighter and more compact than a standard model. Last year Benelli redesigned the Montefeltro, changing the ergonomics of the forend and stock. The Easy Locking Bolt was also incorporated into the inertia-driven operating system, to ensure proper lockup between a chambered shell and the bolt face. The Ultra Light received the same upgrades this year.

1. The stock, which has a 143/8" length of pull, has a pistol grip with a palm swell, and Benelli slimmed down the forend for a sleek look. Instead of checkering, the Ultra Light uses panels with small cuts for a sure grip. and the stock’s finish is protected with WeatherCoat. The Montefeltro’s trigger broke at a crisp 4.3 pounds, and Benelli loyalists will find a more-rounded bolt lock on the right side of the trigger group. A larger, easier-to-find crossbolt safety sits at the rear of the trigger guard, and an oversized bolt handle, thin bolt-release button and two-piece load gate make operating the gun a delight. 
2. The receiver has a black anodized finish, and the magazine capacity is 4+1. If there was one flaw in Bruno Civolani’s inertia design, it was the rotating bolthead. When the bolthead does not close fully, the shell will not chamber properly and the gun will misfire. Benelli upgraded the Ultra Light’s rotating bolthead with the Easy Locking Bolt system, so the Monte will rarely (if ever) fail. A small torsion spring in the bolt ensures that the shell is sent into battery. Even if the bolthead does not close during loading, the force of shouldering the Ultra Light will close it. We kept the bolthead from rotating but had to be extremely gentle. Any slight movement and the torsion spring did its job.
3. Our test gun was a 20-gauge chambered for 3" shells. (A 3" 12-gauge is also available). The gloss, blued 24" barrel is topped with a carbon-fiber rib, to keep the gun a feathery 5.3 pounds, and there is a red sight at the muzzle. The Ultra Light comes with three flush-fitting chokes: Cylinder, Improved Cylinder and Modified. Constrictions are indicated by notches in each choke’s muzzle and are etched into its side.
   

As expected, the Ultra Light proved to be a fast-handling gun, thanks to its light weight. It shouldered effortlessly on the sporting clays course and was an easy carry. Most of the presentations required quick target acquisition and snap shooting, which is what the Ultra Light does best. Conversely, it took effort to keep the light gun swinging on longer crossing shots. At the pattern board, the Montefeltro printed 60/40 patterns. We had no cycling issues with the 2¾" ⅞-ounce and 3" 1-ounce loads we used. Price: $1,949. For more information, visit benelliusa.com. 

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