Benelli Raffaello Advanced Impact Barrel Shotgun Review 

Benelli Shotgun Review: Raffaello A.I. Semi-Automatic Performance Explained

The Benelli Raffaello range of inertia semi-automatic shotguns has a loyal worldwide following. They are great guns that have been elevated by incorporating their new patented Advanced Impact (A.I.) system, pushing the envelope in terms of shotgun ballistics.
This is all wrapped up in a limited edition model with superbly figured walnut and intricately engraved action faces. But most important is the new A.I. barrel technology, which is a pivotal step forward in shotgun design and performance. Essentially it enhances pellets’ velocity and down-range striking energy by means of a redesigned bore profile and choke system, culminating in superior patterns with lead or steel shot.

The hand-selected Grade 4 walnut on this model is superb, as it should be for the price. Not only does the stock exhibit great quality and superb fit, but it also has an undefinable factor that just make Benelli shotguns handle so well.
The forend and stock are well matched in terms of figuring and the honey hues and interplay between the darker veining is excellent, with interwoven feathering to the grain. The forend has an almost upward profile and roll-over finger groove that cups the hand. There’s also a very generous coverage of chequering to the bottom and sides that enhances the assured ergonomic feel of the Raffaello.
The stock has one of the nicest feeling and looking pistol grips I have found on a semi-automatic. It certainly feels extremely comfortable when the Raffaello is shouldered, with your hand relaxed yet in total control of the gun. The upright positioning of the hand, with the subtle palm swell and finely cut chequering, give total control of the Benelli and fluid mounting.
There are a good set of adjustments to the drop and cast with the supplied inserts. Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil-reduction system mitigates recoil with a soft cushioning effect. It is subtle but welcome. The length of pull is 14.5in. Being an inertia system, the recoil spring is in the stock and keeps the balance on this 30in barrel model very naturally around the back of the forend.
The upper section of the two-piece, fully field-strippable action is black BE.S.T. (Benelli Surface Treatment). It easily slides off when the barrel is removed, enabling the rust-resistant, chrome-plated bolt to be removed as well. This bolt has a twin rotating locking lug head. To the rear, the long protruding recoil spur fits down into the stock and contacts the recoil spring. It’s so simple to remove and replace – a triumph of design.
The lower receiver is aluminium and is finished with a brighter, coin-type finish. This Limited Edition is ornate without being gaudy, and Benelli has combined laser-engraved floral patterns and game scenes – accented with gold – for a really elegant looking receiver.
The trigger is set within a characteristically Benelli-styled angular polymer trigger guard, allowing perfect access to the gold-washed trigger blade. Safety is by means of a cross-bolt trigger block, which I appreciate as it’s simple and very easy to operate.
Benelli’s super hardwearing yet elegant BE.S.T metal finish is impervious to the weather and guaranteed for 25 years. It’s toughness, resistance to corrosion and everyday shooting activities, knocks and scruffs, are far superior to traditional bluing but just as good looking. There is also a 10-year mechanical guarantee.

The outside diameter of the barrel on the 30in gun I had on test is 24.5mm, which puts it on the large side compared with most. Shorter 28in barrels are available and I would imagine that they would be more popular on a semi-auto. The barrel is 3in chambered for high-performance steel shot and has a 10mm carbon fibre rib with red day-glow foresight and bright steel sight mid ribbed.
The bore is 19.7mm for the 12-bore, compared with a more usual 18.4-18.6mm. All the A.I. system chokes – Crio type with three flush fit-10cm and two 10+2cm knurled external types – are steel-shot proofed, including the ¾ and full chokes.
Benelli claims that A.I. barrel technology makes shot travel 4% faster with 6% more energy at 1m past the muzzle than a standard barrel. Benelli’s ballistic gel tests show up to 50% more penetration than with standard barrels. Benelli says: “At 60m velocity is 42% faster, with 77% more energy than a standard barrel/choke combination.” At reasonable shooting distances of 30-40yd, the percentage increase will be lower but still very noticeable.
Now that we are having to move away from lead shot, there are considerable advantages to the A.I. system. Because steel shot is less dense than lead, it loses velocity and energy faster, which is why we tend to increase the shot size. With a Benelli A.I. gun, the velocity and energy maintained could impart the required down-range striking energy when using steel shot, with tighter patterns due to the steel proofed chokes. That’s impressive and a real step forward.

Steel shot, while effective, does impose limitations. It is lighter and harder than lead, meaning it sheds energy faster and requires higher velocities to achieve equivalent lethality. This can increase recoil and stress on barrels and chokes if the system is not designed for it.
Benelli’s A.I. barrels address many of these limitations by optimising bore geometry to reduce pellet deformation and friction, but steel still cannot replicate the density of lead. At extreme ranges, even with A.I. technology, shot size selection and realistic expectations remain crucial.

Yes. One of the defining advantages of the Advanced Impact system is that all A.I. chokes, including full choke, are high performance steel-shot proofed. This is places Benelli ahead of competitors.

Semi automatic shotguns are sometimes viewed with scepticism on driven days, but a high-quality inertia system such as Benelli’s is entirely suitable. The Raffaello’s balance, fast cycling and reduced recoil would make it particularly effective on high-volume or high-bird days.
The ability to use steel safely through tighter chokes further strengthens its credentials for modern driven shooting, particularly as environmental regulations continue to evolve.

When testing a semi-auto I always like to see if it will cycle light loads reliably, and with the Raffaello being an inertia design that’s particularly important. The lowest I tested were Jocker Bio Sport 21g No 7 steel, which cycled 100%.
I normally test guns with 1/2 choke at 30yd, but as the full choke is designed for steel I decided to use it with lead and steel. First I tried lead 28g No 7.5 plastic wad cartridges. A total of 275 pellets struck the board – slightly high – with great uniformity and spread. There were an impressive 199 inner strikes to the 15in centre, with the remaining 76 pellets within the 30in periphery.
I then tried steel 32g No 4 – no problem through the A.I. steel-proofed choke. I got another really tight, uniform pellet spread, also slightly high (extra velocity gain from the A.I. bore?) – with a total of 227 pellets on the board. Of those, 126 were in the inner circle, which is superb patterning. The remaining 101 pellets hit evenly around the circumference. This would be brilliant for game or wildfowl. There were no blown patterns, which can often happen with some steel loads.
Moving up to a 32g No 3 shot load again proved successful. Potentially all the pellets hit the board, with a tight 148 total pellet count – 55 inner strikes and 93 outer. This time they were slightly more spread out, but that is what you would expect with No 3 shot. You could also hear the pellets strike very hard on the board – in fact it fell over.
Finally I tested some 27g No 5 Bio Ammo Blue cartridges. Again the Benelli digested them admirably, with a total of 134 strikes with the full choke at 30yd. Interestingly the pattern was more spread out than others, but still had 39 inner hits and 95 outer.

Benelli exhibits its own identity and consistently produces exciting guns – not only to look at but in performance as well. This Limited Edition actually looks and feels like something special. If you want a premium semi-automatic shotgun that is finished superbly, has the ability to shoot steel and lead through any choke, with large or small shot, then the Raffaello Limited Edition A.I. is definitely the gun for you.

Manufacturer: Benelli

Model: Raffaello Limited Edition AI

Calibre: 12-bore

Type: Semi-automatic

Action: Inertia operation

Finish: BE.S.T metal finish and walnut

OAL: 51.5in

Barrel: 19.7mm bore AI technology

Barrel length: 30in, 28in option

Rib: 10mm

Chamber: 3in

Weight: 6lb 9ozs

Stock: Grade 4 highly figured walnut

Length of pull: 14.5in

Chokes: Five Advanced Impact System chokes

Price: £3,739.99