Ax800 Suprema: I was incredibly curious, and as soon as I got my hands on it, even for a few minutes, I jumped at the chance. Will it be Beretta's 5th anniversary shotgun? I think something more celebratory will come, but it's still a great way to start the celebrations. It's a project that began about five years ago, and its goal is to significantly improve the latest Xtreme Plus supermagnum for waterfowl hunting, 16 years after the A400, the previous evolution of Beretta's gas-operated system.
I've shot it very little, unfortunately, so far, but I've studied it thoroughly. It's a very solid and sturdy shotgun, despite the heavy technopolymer used for its construction. It's easy to hold firmly in your hands and against your shoulder. With the high-performance 32-gram steel shot cartridges, which are somewhat nervous at 415 m/sec, I didn't feel much recoil or muzzle climb. The 12-gauge semi-auto with an 89 mm chamber is well-controlled and solid, designed for shooting with gloves and to fit snugly in your fingers. The trigger pull is nice, and the straight trigger and wide trigger guard are comfortable. The oversized controls are easy to reach.
The highly technological and aggressive look is given by the design, which appears to be inspired by the most modern sport utility vehicles, with strong ergonomics guaranteed by a very interesting combination of deep straight lines and hollow curves. The fiberglass-reinforced technopolymer, the same compound used in Beretta assault rifles, has a matte and rough surface finish, with deep writing directly on the plastic material, bold checkering or notches on the controls, which are all oversized, and other areas of contact with the weapon. Where the gun contacts the cheek, the comb is covered with a sort of rubberized leather that is very comfortable and warm. The forend also has rubberized inserts. In the plastic shell itself, the only metal part is the threaded connection for the magazine tube, while the internal part of the receiver, which is subject to greater stress, behind the breech extension, has strengthening ribs. The technopolymer does not require oil for protection and maintenance and does not freeze.
“Take 'em” and duck logo
The curious logo features the silhouette of a duck in flight, the “X” on the left side of the frame. Inside the forend, the same “X” is underlined by the exhortation “Take 'em.”
The water gun must withstand the most adverse weather conditions, hence the consistent use of technopolymer for the receiver and stock. The modular receiver design features an integrated interface for mounting a red dot sight, ensuring maximum readiness in any configuration. The skeletonized stock features the Kick-Off Pro system with hydraulic shock absorbers, designed to reduce recoil by up to 70%, control muzzle climb, and perform to its full potential with supermagnum ammunition. The new B-uffer recoil pad, made of closed-cell polyurethane, offers unprecedented weather resistance and long life. Ergonomics and customization are at the highest level: the comb and pistol grip are interchangeable in various sizes, drop and cast are easily adjusted using a single shim system, and the length of the stock itself is adjustable using spacers.
Ambidextrous QD quick-detach sling attachments on the forend and stock ends, along with more traditional attachments.
A particularly robust and high-performance shotgun, similar in shape to its predecessor, intended for waterfowl hunting and also for use from a hide, Beretta intended. This is also why it was equipped with the Steelium Pro barrel, the same as the multiple medal-winning DT11 over-and-under competition shotgun: it shoots further, with less recoil, greater terminal energy, and a more uniform pattern, increasing the chances of success on game.
The barrel is made of tri-alloy steel according to a proprietary Beretta recipe, deep-drilling, vacuum-stretched, and cold-hammer forged, with an elongated forging cone, perfect even for steel shot, and guarantees unparalleled accuracy, robustness, and concentricity between chamber and barrel. Hand-unscrewable Optimachoke HP choke tubes and a 7x7 mm rib with ramp and two holes for mounting additional accessories. The black version features a Cerakote exterior finish.
Family feeling
The Ax800 is also fast, powerful, and stable, which I verified by firing three-shot bursts. It doesn't bounce, it doesn't bounce, and it stays on target. It still feels like shooting with a classic "house" gas recovery system.
The Ax800 Suprema's B-Link Pro gas-operated system has been redesigned to ensure faster cycling and cleaner operation. According to Beretta, it is 36% faster than any other shotgun in its category and 46% cleaner than any other gas-operated system on the market, thanks to the redesigned combustion gas intake ports in the operating cylinder and the self-lubricating, low-friction PVD internal coating. The piston is the same as the previous model. The well-known rotating bolt, improved for example by the enlarged trigger guard with polymer cover, is capable of cycling any cartridge weight, from 24 rounds and up, with appropriate break-in. Barrel lengths are typically 660, 710, and 760 mm. 
The B-Lok magazine cap is designed to allow for quick rifle disassembly and cleaning much faster than before. It also allows for complete closure with just a 60° rotation, ensuring easy handling in any situation and condition.
The bolt release is enlarged, as is the competition-grade follower, which offers unprecedented speed and ease of loading. It remains in the raised position when the bolt is closed, allowing for rapid loading of rounds. Combined with the redesigned trigger, featuring a crisper release, shorter travel, and faster reset, all controls offer exceptional performance with intuitive, smooth operation. The safety produces a noticeable click when engaged and disengaged.
The overall length is 1.275 mm with a 710 mm barrel, and it weighs 3.500 grams. In Italy, the black version will initially be available for €2.799, and among the eight camouflage paint options available, only the Realtree Max-7 will be available for €3.049.
Data Sheet
Manufacturer: Pietro Beretta Arms Factory
Model: Ax800 Suprema
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Type: Semi-automatic hunting rifle
Operation: gas operated with rotating head bolt
Caliber: 12/89 Supermagnum
Barrel: Steelium Pro available lengths 660, 710, 760 mm, with interchangeable external Optimachoke Hp choke, 7x7 mm rib with ramp and two holes for Picatinny mounting and red fiber optic front sight
Materials: Technopolymer frame with fiberglass, no finish or camo paint, barrel with Cerakote finish or camo paint; polymer stock with interchangeable pistol grip and soft rubber inserts, LOP 365 mm (adjustable with spacers); Kick-Off Pro recoil reduction system, B-Uffer recoil pad
Safe: reversible, improved
Magazine capacity: 2+1
Overall length: 1.275 mm with 710 mm barrel, 12,5 em spacer and external choke
Weight: 3.500 g (710 mm barrel)
Retail price, VAT included: 2.799 euros for the black version, 3.049 for the Max-7 camo version
