Finally the 28/76 or 28 Magnum caliber cartridge is proposed in Italy thanks to the presentation of the Benelli Ethos chambered for this innovative and peppery charge: a hunting trip in the AFV of Arborio was an opportunity to test the cartridge combination of the Fiocchi and the latest born of the generation of the little Benellis. Small means in size, but incredibly functional for all that is expected of a rifle with which to engage any game. The examination starts from the Ergal casing, the aluminum alloy for aeronautical use with the recent shapes of the Raffaello here reduced and parameterized to the cartridge: it is not a simple aesthetic question because the function requires this attention and we will soon verify the reason. The rounded masses and the lines that move the whole are enriched by precious, minute engravings in all appropriate to the situation, and by the light satin finish that is in perfect chromatic contrast with the glossy burnishing of the castle lid and barrel: we must say that this treatment is carried out on the Benellis in an excellent way, exquisitely recalling tradition.
We are in a technically refined and formally elegant environment, therefore stock and fore-end made from walnut of valuable caliber cannot be missing: it is true that they require a little more attention in use, especially if the rifle is tested, but the subtle pleasure of observe the graceful shapes, the veins, the polishing of the surfaces, the checkering while Luna, a very young Weimaraner on her first amazing outing, leads us on the remittances of the wild here is all this is not a minimal part of the taste and essence of hunting. Together with the appreciation of the aesthetic factors, the mind penetrates the technological heart of the shotgun and, even if one knows it thoroughly, every time the enthusiasm for solutions that have the magic and for executions that show how satisfaction is working is revived. Well. The reset system with the inertial system is based on the mass of the carriage and on the rotating head with two fins interspersed with that sturdy and sturdy spring on which the timing of the cycle depends: the exit of the charge from the muzzle with a perfectly closed shutter is followed in a twilight from the release of the bolt from the mortises obtained in the breech extension of the barrel and the retraction of the whole complex. The ejection of the cartridge case, the presentation on the dipper of the new cartridge taken from the cylindrical tank subjected to the barrel, the rearming of the hammer take place well before the hunter can press the trigger again to fire a second shot.
On the ground
To try everything out a bit, we insert a pair of 28/70 cartridges with only 24 g of 5 pellets and, above these, a magnum with 33 g of 7. they are the same as those of non-heavy 33/12 caliber cartridges and together we think of the ballistic studies of Gen. Journée and of the noble brands that have succeeded each other to affirm how the same entity of pellets performs better in a larger section barrel. We will see and meanwhile observe the energy-absorbing buttplate, a particular study of the Benellis for applications also on the wooden stock whose line it safeguards.
The elevated rib in carbon carries the apex front sight in translucent red and a second intermediate with which to further check the centering of the rifle when going to the tappet. The trigger is easily reachable even by a short hand and we notice how the section where the finger rests is wider than what until recently was the norm, borrowing the detail from the rifled barrels: we find it very practical as well as the it is always the safety button placed in the rear prong of the guard, with a modern shape and appropriate to the style of the rifle. The chukar partridges make the auxiliary work a lot, reluctant to leave the den, but when they leave they are always partridges; vigorous pheasants who here combine a considerable size and a roaring and fast flight so that sometimes the first cartridge is stolen by the too rapid intervention without the right firing, but very often the second shot, with more careful aim, is revealed fulminant. Just a second cartridge made us savor the pleasure of capturing a minilepre.
At the end of the experience we summarize the salient data collected in hunting use: the weight of only 2400 g and the perfect balance allow for a fully comfortable carry and harness. The support surface of the cheek on the back of the stock and the energy absorbing pad, together with the semi-automatic, cancel the sensation of recoil which, with cartridges at full load of 33 g, on an over-and-under, the hunting results are felt more they were far beyond all expectations. In short, to put it all this Bellino in 28 Magnum it really thrilled us.
Technical detail:
Manufacturer: Benelli Armi Spa via della Stazione 50, 61029 Urbino (PU) - Tel. +39 0722 3071 - Fax +39 0722 307207 - www.benelli.it - [email protected]
Model: Raffaello Ethos 28 Magnum
Type: semi-automatic shotgun with smooth bore
CALIBRO: 28/76
operation: inertial
Castle: milled ergal block
Shutter: with two front rotating flaps
canna: length 66 cm - 2 Criochoke *** and cyl with key chokes
Percussion: hammer with coil spring and floating firing pin inside the bolt
Supply: metal tubular magazine under the barrel for 2 cartridges
Triggering device: direct type with single trigger mounted on a polymer block
Extractor: claw with internal spring inserted in the bolt head
Ejector: spring plunger in the breech sleeve
Line of sight: ventilated carbon rib, LPA fiber optic front sight (red or green) and intermediate brass sight
Safety: two-position with striped button in the guard - locks the trigger
Stocking: in two pieces of high class walnut wood - pistol grip and shaped under barrel - grip fields with checkering - butt plate AirCell
Finishes: polished bluing of the barrel, glossy black anodizing of the breech sheath, castle with engravings and inserts in gilded metal or black finish - walnut stock with surface finish Elegance System
Stock length from the trigger: 360 mm - drop at heel 55 mm and at nose pad 35 mm
Weight :: 2.360 g with 65 cm barrel (variations based on component tolerances