Benelli Ultra Light Shotgun: The Pinnacle of Lightweight Performance for Upland Hunters

For the dedicated upland hunter, every ounce matters, especially during long treks across diverse terrain. The Benelli Ultra Light semi-automatic shotgun stands as a testament to this philosophy, engineered to be the world's lightest semi-auto shotgun. This revolutionary firearm redefines what’s possible in terms of portability, balance, and unwavering reliability, making it the quintessential companion for pursuing pheasant, quail, grouse, and dove. If you're searching for a shotgun that significantly reduces fatigue without compromising on performance, the Benelli Ultra Light is not just an option, it's a game-changer.

Imagine a full day in the field, navigating dense cover, traversing rolling hills, or crossing open plains. With a traditional shotgun, the cumulative weight can wear you down, impacting your swing, reaction time, and overall enjoyment. The Benelli Ultra Light directly addresses this challenge, offering an incredibly nimble and responsive shooting experience. It's not merely light; it's meticulously balanced, ensuring a fluid mount and instinctive pointing that can turn fleeting opportunities into successful retrieves. This isn't just a shotgun; it's an extension of the hunter, designed to make every step and every shot effortless.

Why is the Benelli Ultra Light the Preferred Choice for Serious Upland Hunters?

The secret to the Ultra Light's exceptional performance lies in a masterful combination of cutting-edge materials and Benelli's renowned Inertia Driven® operating system. Unlike gas-operated systems that can be prone to fouling and heavier components, the Inertia Driven® system harnesses the recoil energy of the firing cartridge to cycle the action. This ingenious design utilizes fewer parts, resulting in a cleaner, lighter, and inherently more reliable mechanism. Hunters who spend countless hours in the field understand the value of a shotgun that performs flawlessly in all conditions, from dusty plains to damp marshlands. The Inertia Driven® system delivers just that: unparalleled dependability with minimal maintenance requirements.

Let's delve deeper into the core technologies that make this shotgun an upland hunter's dream:

• Inertia Driven® System: At the heart of the Ultra Light’s incredible reliability and minimal weight is Benelli’s patented Inertia Driven® action. This system operates with remarkable efficiency, using the shotgun’s recoil to cycle the bolt. When a round is fired, the entire gun recoils, but the bolt group, being independent, moves forward momentarily. As the gun finishes its rearward movement, the bolt body reaches its rearmost position and is thrown forward by a heavy inertia spring, unlocking the rotating bolt head, ejecting the spent shell, and chambering a fresh one. This elegant design means fewer moving parts, no gas ports or pistons to clean, and a system that operates cleanly and reliably, even after thousands of rounds or in harsh environments. The result? A semi-auto shotgun that weighs less and runs cleaner than virtually any other, translating directly to less fatigue and more consistent performance in the field.
• Featherweight Alloy Receiver: A significant contributor to the Ultra Light’s namesake is its innovative receiver crafted from a featherweight alloy. This advanced material provides the structural integrity and durability expected of a premium firearm while dramatically reducing overall weight. The strength-to-weight ratio of this alloy ensures that the receiver can withstand the rigors of hunting without adding unnecessary bulk. This choice of material highlights Benelli's commitment to optimizing every component for peak performance and portability, allowing hunters to carry their shotgun for extended periods without strain.
• Lighter Magazine Tube: Every component of the Benelli Ultra Light has been scrutinized for weight reduction, and the magazine tube is no exception. By utilizing lighter materials and a streamlined design, the magazine tube contributes to the overall feather-light profile of the shotgun. This attention to detail across all parts ensures that the weight savings are cumulative and impactful, delivering a shotgun that truly feels like an extension of the shooter.
• Super-Strong, Super-Light Carbon Fiber Rib: Traditional shotgun ribs are often made from steel or aluminum, adding noticeable weight to the barrel. The Benelli Ultra Light breaks this mold by incorporating a cutting-edge carbon fiber rib. This material is not only incredibly lightweight but also exceptionally strong and rigid, providing a stable and clear sight plane without contributing to muzzle heavy balance. The carbon fiber rib resists deformation and ensures consistent accuracy, even in varying temperatures or conditions. Its presence underscores the Ultra Light's status as a technologically advanced firearm designed for discerning hunters.
• Crio® Barrel and Choke Tubes: The Benelli Crio® System is another hallmark of Benelli's innovative engineering, applied to both the barrel and the choke tubes of the Ultra Light. This unique cryogenic treatment involves freezing the barrel and choke tubes to -300° F. This process relieves the stresses introduced during the manufacturing process, resulting in a more uniform molecular structure.
  • Benefits of Crio® Barrels:
    • Improved Pattern Consistency: The stress-relieved barrel bore is smoother and more uniform, leading to less pellet deformation and more consistent, dense shot patterns. This means more pellets on target and cleaner kills.
    • Increased Muzzle Velocity: A smoother bore also reduces friction, allowing pellets to travel with slightly higher muzzle velocities, enhancing downrange energy.
    • Enhanced Durability and Easier Cleaning: The cryogenic treatment hardens the steel, making the barrel more resistant to wear and corrosion, and significantly easier to clean, as fouling adheres less readily to the super-slick surface.
  • Included Crio® Choke Tubes: The Benelli Ultra Light typically comes with three Crio® choke tubes:
    • Crio C (Cylinder): Ideal for very close ranges, offering the widest shot pattern. Perfect for tight cover or close-flushing birds.
    • Crio IC (Improved Cylinder): A slightly tighter pattern than Cylinder, excellent for short-to-medium ranges, making it versatile for many upland scenarios.
    • Crio M (Modified): Provides a denser pattern suitable for medium ranges, offering a good balance of spread and density for most general hunting situations.

  The inclusion of these precision-engineered choke tubes ensures that hunters can customize their shot pattern to suit various game birds and hunting conditions, maximizing their effectiveness in the field.

Unmatched Versatility: Gauges and Applications

While the specific UPC 650350108026 refers to the 12-gauge model, the Benelli Ultra Light is also available in 20-gauge and 28-gauge options, offering a tailored experience for different preferences and hunting styles.

• 12-Gauge (as per UPC 650350108026): The 12-gauge Ultra Light, weighing in at an astonishing 6.1 pounds, offers the power and versatility of a standard 12-gauge shotgun with the carrying comfort of a much smaller gun. It's an excellent choice for hunters who need magnum shell capability for larger birds or those who prefer the wider array of ammunition options available in 12-gauge. Its light weight makes it manageable despite its power, ensuring a quick, fluid swing.
• 20-Gauge: For those who prioritize even less recoil and lighter ammunition, the 20-gauge Ultra Light is a superb alternative, offering ample power for most upland species with an even more comfortable shooting experience.
• 28-Gauge: The elegant 28-gauge Ultra Light is a delightful gun for sporting clays or for hunters who appreciate the subtle charm and effective patterns of this often-underestimated gauge. Its minimal recoil and superb handling make it a joy to shoot all day.

Regardless of the gauge, the Benelli Ultra Light is perfectly suited for:

• Upland Bird Hunting: Its primary design focus, excelling in pursuing pheasant, quail, grouse, dove, and chukar. The light weight reduces fatigue during long hunts, and its quick-handling nature is ideal for flushing birds.
• Sporting Clays and Skeet: For shooters who spend hours at the range, the Ultra Light's minimal weight reduces strain, allowing for extended shooting sessions without discomfort. Its excellent balance and smooth swing also contribute to better scores.
• Walk-Up Waterfowl Hunting: While not a heavy-duty waterfowl gun, its reliability and light carry make it a viable option for situations where you're walking into potholes or small ponds rather than sitting in a blind.
• Youth and Women Shooters: The extremely light weight and manageable recoil (especially in 20- and 28-gauge) make it an excellent choice for shooters who may find traditional shotguns too heavy or cumbersome.

Designed for the Field: Stock and Ergonomics

The Benelli Ultra Light in the configuration specified by UPC 650350108026 features a Satin Walnut stock with Weathercoat. This is not merely an aesthetic choice; it speaks to Benelli's commitment to durability and classic appeal. Walnut stocks are renowned for their natural beauty and traditional feel. The "Weathercoat" finish provides an additional layer of protection against the elements, resisting moisture, scratches, and dings that are inevitable during rugged outdoor use. This ensures the shotgun maintains its pristine appearance and structural integrity through seasons of use.

The stock is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable and secure grip, promoting natural pointability and recoil absorption. The overall balance of the Ultra Light ensures that it swings smoothly and consistently, allowing for rapid target acquisition and follow-up shots. This meticulous attention to ergonomics, coupled with the minimal weight, makes the Ultra Light an incredibly responsive and enjoyable shotgun to shoot.

Why Trust the Benelli Ultra Light for Your Next Hunt?

The Benelli Ultra Light is more than just a lightweight shotgun; it is a meticulously engineered precision instrument built for peak performance and endurance in the field. It represents the culmination of Benelli's commitment to innovation, reliability, and superior craftsmanship. Hunters who invest in the Ultra Light are choosing a firearm that will not only enhance their hunting experience but also stand the test of time, performing reliably in diverse conditions for years to come.

Its unique combination of the Inertia Driven® system, advanced lightweight materials, and the precision of the Crio® barrel technology sets it apart in a crowded market. If you are serious about upland hunting, or simply desire a high-performance semi-automatic shotgun that offers unparalleled comfort and reliability, the Benelli Ultra Light is a top-tier recommendation. It consistently appears on lists of "best shotguns for upland hunting" and "lightest semi-auto shotguns" for good reason. Its reputation is built on delivering exceptional user outcomes: reduced fatigue, quicker target acquisition, more consistent patterns, and ultimately, more successful hunts.

This premium firearm, along with a comprehensive selection of hunting gear and accessories, is readily available at DEGuns. DEGuns offers a wide range of Benelli products, ensuring you can find the perfect configuration for your specific hunting and shooting needs.

Benelli Ultra Light 12 Gauge Specifications (UPC 650350108026)

Feature	Detail
Gauge	12
Action	Semi-Auto
Barrel Length	26"
Overall Length	47.5"
Average Weight	6.1 Pounds
Stock	Satin Walnut w/ Weathercoat
SKU	10802
UPC	650350108026