Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light Review: The BEST Lightweight Upland Semi-Auto?
Apr 20, 2025
The Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light is the perfect companion for hunters seeking a lightweight, reliable, and sleek semi-auto shotgun. If you want to elevate your upland hunting experience, consider putting this shotgun on your list.

If you have experience with the Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light, please let us know your thoughts on the TFL COMMUNITY!
Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light
Specs
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MSRP: $1,949 (though it may be found for less at retailers like Reeds)
- Operation: Inertia-driven
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Barrel Length: 26 inches (12 gauge) / 24 inches (20 gauge)
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Available Gauges: 12 gauge, 20 gauge
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Chamber Size: 3 inches
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Weight: 6.3 lbs (12 gauge) / 5.3 lbs (20 gauge)
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Length of Pull: 14 3/8 inches (can be adjusted with shims)
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Chokes: Cryo choke system (includes cylinder, improved cylinder, and modified)
- Need more chokes? We love Carlson's Choke Tubes
Ergonomics
The Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light excels in ergonomics, delivering a well-balanced, lightweight design that fits comfortably in your hands. The carbon fiber rib reduces weight while maintaining durability, and the high-quality wood finish gives the gun an elegant touch. The stock features a medium-sized stippling pattern, offering solid grip, and the curved forend enhances comfort during long hunts.
The overall balance is excellent, with the weight concentrated toward the rear of the shotgun, making it easy to swing on fast-moving targets. However, one minor drawback is the bolt handle, which is slightly difficult to operate.
Recoil and Reliability
Lighter shotguns typically produce more felt recoil, and the Montefeltro Ultra Light is no exception. Nevertheless, it does a great job of managing recoil, especially considering its weight. While not the softest recoil in its class, it’s still comfortable enough for moderate shooting sessions. The shotgun cycles reliably even with lighter target loads and heavier hunting loads, making it an excellent choice for the field.
Want less felt recoil? We love the FalconStrike recoil reduction systems.
Breakdown/Quality of Build
Benelli is known for producing high-quality shotguns, and the Montefeltro Ultra Light is no exception. The shotgun features precise tolerances, a beautiful blue finish on the barrel, and a crisp gold trigger. The materials used are top-notch, from the wood to the carbon fiber rib, ensuring longevity and durability.
The breakdown process is straightforward, with the trigger group easily removable, and the shotgun is designed to be user-friendly for cleaning and maintenance. The Montefeltro Ultra Light is made in Italy, where craftsmanship is key, and it shows in the overall build quality.
Shooting Experience
When it comes to shooting, the Montefeltro Ultra Light excels in performance for upland hunting. The smooth, crisp trigger pull allows for accurate shots, and the overall balance of the shotgun ensures you can easily bring it to your target. The lighter forend aids in fast, responsive swings, making it a solid choice for quick-moving birds.
The point of impact is true, and after swapping to the modified choke, the shotgun performed exceptionally well, delivering consistent accuracy even at longer ranges. While not the best choice for a dedicated clay gun, this shotgun is more than capable for field use, especially for upland game hunting.
Final Thoughts
The Benelli Montefeltro Ultra Light is a well-crafted, reliable shotgun that delivers an excellent combination of performance and comfort. Its lightweight design makes it ideal for long days in the field, and its solid ergonomics ensure you’re always ready for quick shots. While it’s not the softest on recoil, the overall experience is highly favorable, especially if you add a recoil pad for extra comfort.
Overall, I am impressed with this shotgun. Its design, reliability, and performance make it a great choice for hunters who want to maximize their upland hunting experience. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. It’s lightweight, well-built, and delivers on its promises—just don’t forget to factor in the potential recoil when deciding on your ideal load.
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Whether our targets in the field or our targets in life, we will only hit what we are focused on, so live the #targetfocusedlife