Benelli Releases its Revolutionary A.I. Barrel

by
posted on January 23, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Benelli AI

To bird hunters who may have thought shotgun technology just couldn’t reach any further Benelli says, “Not so fast.” Actually, the company’s latest technological advancement, what it calls Benelli Advanced Impact, or A.I., does exactly that: it makes a shot column faster.

In 2025, Benelli will release the revolutionary new technology to many shotguns in its Super Black Eagle 3, Ethos and Cordoba lines. Benelli A.I. technology is a new approach to delivering shotgun ballistics by delivering a payload, says the company, “harder, faster and with greater downrange pellet density than traditional shotgun barrels.”

The secret lies in a new ballistic contour developed by Benelli that is integrated into the barrel bore. The new contour combines Benelli’s new Advanced Impact Crio chokes to enhance shot column velocity, which in turn will deliver more energy at the point of impact, as compared to conventional shotgun barrel designs.

Intense ballistic testing by the company has shown a 4 percent increase in velocity and 6 percent increase in energy at a meter beyond the muzzle, compared to a standard shotgun barrel. Combined, the result is up to 50 percent better penetration over payloads delivered by a standard barrel. Also, testing reveals that combining A.I. barrels with A.I. Crio chokes delivers more uniform shot columns. So, greater speed delivers greater energy, which delivers more pellets on target and more downed birds.

In 2025 Advanced Impact technology will be released on several Benelli shotguns including the Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. and the SBE3 A.I. Cerakote, two units that will make the SBE3, already the world standard, a veritable must-have for waterfowlers. Other models to feature Benelli A.I. include the Ethos Upland A.I., Performance Shop Ethos SuperSport A.I., Performance Shop Ethos Sport A.I. and Performance Shop Ethos Cordoba A.I. BE.S.T. (American Hunter’s 2025 Shotgun of the Year).

Advanced Impact is just the latest in a long list of technological innovations brought to market by Benelli engineers to enhance shotgun performance and shooting comfort. It joins a long list of achievements including its world-famous Benelli Intertia Driven system, Comfort Tech recoil reduction and BE.S.T. anti-corrosion coatings. To learn more about Benelli Advanced Impact technology visit BenelliUSA.com.

Latest

Ledehenry Edotech Mad Pig SOWW Collab
Ledehenry Edotech Mad Pig SOWW Collab

EOTech Collaborates with Henry and Mad Pig Customs to Donate to SOWW

To commemorate EOTech's 30 years, Henry Repeating Arms and Mad Pig Customs teamed up with the company to create a 1-of-30 limited-edition rifle series built on the Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle in .300 Blackout. Each rifle was outfitted with an EOTech HWS XPS2.

#SundayGunday: Charles Daly Honcho

On this week's #SundayGunday, we check out the Honcho, a handheld pump shotgun made by Charles Daly right here in the USA, and marketed by Chiappa USA. It’s a handful, and it’s supposed to be. With its short barrel this pump gun can come in handy in camp or at home for anything that may go bump in the night. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Recipe: Braised Coues Deer Hind

An adventurous January hunt into the Sierra Madre Mountains of northern Mexico provided Brad Fenson the opportunity to cook Coues deer in traditional ways.

Friends of American Hunter Chad and Marsha Schearer Headline GAOS Seminars

The NRA Great American Outdoor Show Runs Feb. 7-15 and includes 200 demonstrations and seminars.

Significant Donation Will Cover Entry Fees for Boone and Crockett Club Records Program

On Jan. 21 the Boone and Crockett Club announced a long-time Lifetime Associate and benefactor to conservation has provided the opportunity to waive entry processing fees into the organization’s records program. As a result, the usual $40 entry fee will not be charged this year for entries received after Jan. 1, 2026.

Avian-X Adds 3 New Species to Motion Decoys

Avian-X has expanded its motion duck decoy assortment with the addition of three new species to the Power Butt Kicker lineup: Mallard Hen, Pintail Drake and Black Duck.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.