BENELLI ETHOS SUPER SPORT

from ClayShootingUSA MayJun2021

PARTING SHOTS

MATTHEW GAY TAKES A LOOK

Nothing is more enjoyable to this writer than getting a new shotgun to test. As I opened the package, I was quite impressed with the supplied Benelli branded fitted case. This thing is nice. This case was durable with modern styling accompanied by attractive and functional padding for protection. Benelli prides themselves on being unique with their designs and the Ethos Super Sport is no different. The model assembled easily and was provided with five extended choke tubes in their own sturdy case along with stock shims, a gun “multi-tool”, oil bottle and a manual. After inserting an IC choke into the barrel for testing, I opened the action and mounted the gun. Right away the difference between this model and my

almost tenpound sporter was noticeable. But that is the nature of autoloaders and many shooters excel with models like this. Off to the course we go.

The Stock

Benelli utilizes serious technology in the design and

manufacture of their stocks. The Ethos Super Sport comes with a synthetic carbon fiber stock which makes it nearly impervious in any weather. Benelli employs their

Comfort Tech 3 recoil reduction system as an integral part of the stock that combines with other features to reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. The design splits the stock diagonally and adds what they call “shock absorbing chevrons” in key places throughout, to essentially create a dynamic buttstock. Benelli’s stated goal was to turn the entire stock into a recoil pad. This is the third evolution of Comfort Tech and with that engineers have optimized the location of these shock absorbing chevrons. Along with the new technology, this model comes a new cheek pad called Combtech. The pad reduces impact from recoil that would affect the face and reduces vibrations caused by the firing of a shell and the action of the shotgun. Comfortable to shoulder and soft on the face is the formula for a pleasant shooting shotgun by any standard.

The forearm is slim, as to be expected on a sleek auto sporter but widens out slightly at the position where the forehand would rest while the gun is mounted. The checkering on both the pistol grip and the forearm provides positive grip and is comfortable on the hand. Benelli employs what they call the “Shell View System.” Basically, there is a red follower in the magazine tube which can be viewed from the under portion of the forearm. Depending on the position of this red follower, the user can determine how many shells are in the magazine with a simple glance. This would likely be helpful on those three bird events from both a practical and safety standpoint.

Adjustability comes standard with the Ethos. There are multiple stock shims provided which will allow the shooter to fine tune the stock to their desired fit and point of impact. Spending a little time at the patterning board will yield big

BENELLI’S COMFORT TECH 3 RECOIL REDUCTION SYSTEM IS INTEGRAL TO THE STOCK

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results with this shotgun and translate into better scores and improved confidence that the gun is shooting precisely where the shooter is looking.

The Receiver

Italians are known for their predisposition to style. The Ethos Super Sport receiver drips of that modern style. Sleek lines and a contrast between the main part of the receiver in nickel plating and the bolt carrier housing in black keeps true to this standard. “Ethos” is engraved just above the trigger in the side of the receiver while Benelli placed “Super Sport” below the bolt opening, both in black, which contrasts from the nickel finish of the receiver. The bolt handle is a bit oversized to facilitate comfortable repetitive use that comes with shooting high volume sporting events. The controls on the receiver are typical of previous Benelli models. The speed feed/bolt lock-back button is situated adjacent to the front portion of the trigger guard on the load side, while the bolt release is on the side of the receiver in a familiar location. The trigger on this model has surprisingly little creep for an autoloader and breaks nicely at 4 ¾ pounds.

The Benelli design is commonly known as a rotary bolt operated action, they use the terminology “Inertia Driven.” The simplicity of the system is widely associated with excellent reliability. Being a recoil operated design, the action remains cleaner than those on gas guns. There are only three main parts of the bolt; the bolt body, the inertia spring

THE SHELL VIEW SYSTEM ALLOWS SHOOTER TO VISUALLY DETERMINE HOW MANY SHELLS ARE IN THE MAGAZINE

and the rotating bolt head. Maintaining all combustion within the barrel eliminates the opportunity for gases and residue to enter the gun’s mechanism, thus reducing frequency of cleaning. One of the most impressive things about this design is the ease with which the action can be broken down for cleaning. You remove the barrel, the action shroud pops off and the bolt slides right out providing direct easy access to the balance of the receiver.

The Barrels

The 28-inch barrel on this model is built utilizing Benelli’s Crio technology. After building the barrel they treat it to a deep freeze, bringing the temperature of the steel down to -300 degrees Fahrenheit. This methodology is commonly applied in other metal equipment or instrument manufacturing, such as bladesmithing. This treatment relieves the stresses caused by hammer forging and evens out the microscopic grains of the steel creating a more uniform and slicked up surface. Benelli states this process allows for less resistance of the wad as it passes through the barrel and consequently more consistent patterns. Their tests determined that patterns shot from their barrels produced 13.2 percent more pellets on target.

It is important to note that Benelli performs the same Crio treatment on their chokes to offer consistency throughout. In addition to the more uniform pattern, this operation helps decrease wad and residue deposit on the chokes themselves. Because, who really wants to clean chokes more frequently anyway?

The porting on this model adds another element to the system that reduces recoil and muzzle flip. Fear not the heavy loads. Atop the barrel you will find a carbon fiber tapered rib which is slightly higher than a flat rib. This rib has a slight step a few inches in front of the receiver. There is a small silver mid bead and a red fiber optic front bead. Serrations and opposing surface cuts in the top of the rib are designed to eliminate glare.

Shooting the Ethos Super Sport

Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club is my primary testing ground and home club. My friend and fellow shooter Folke Boman accompanied me on this excursion to put the Ethos Super Sport through its paces. We decided the training course would allow us the freedom to test the gun not only on pairs of targets, but triples as well.

The gun functioned flawlessly and as designed. The cycling was quick and smooth no matter the number of shells we put into it. We ran 1 1/8 oz., 1 oz., and 7/8 oz. ammo through it without a fail to cycle. Recoil was non-existent with all ammunition and ejection of spent hulls was perfect.

A buyer must understand that this gun is very responsive. Being less than 7 pounds loaded, the Ethos can get ahead of you if you let it. Its weight and balance are such that very little effort is required to move to the breakpoint. The fact that there are no components of substantial weight in the forearm, makes for a gun that is well suited for females or younger shooters who are sensitive to the weight out front that was present in autoloading shotguns of yesteryear.

Overall, I found the Ethos Super Sport to be quite fun to

shoot. Light and agile, easy to clean and supplied with all the necessities to fine tune performance makes for an attractive option for shooters seeking a workhorse sporter, built with the aesthetics of an Italian sports car. n For additional information or to find a dealer near you visit Beretta USA at: benelliusa.com

Editor’s Note: Matthew Gay is a shooting instructor from Michigan, the Head Coach of the Olivet College Shotgun Team, Vice President of the Michigan Scholastic Clay Target Program and an NSCA Master class competitor. SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL: GAUGE: BARRELS: LOP: DAC: DAH: WEIGHT: