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

Massaro Cleaning
Massaro Cleaning

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Townsend Whelen

New for 2026: Beretta A400 Solo

Beretta USA has launched the A400 Solo, a new semi-automatic shotgun engineered for hunters who demand performance in the harshest conditions. Built on Beretta's A400 platform and packed with the company's latest advancements, the A400 Solo combines Beretta's B-Link Pro gas-operating system, Steelium barrel technology and Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system into one dependable platform.

Know How: Find Your Long-Range Limit

Curious where your ethical limit is in the field? Mark Kayser shows you exactly how to find it.

Smith & Wesson Honors America's 250th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Model 1854

Smith & Wesson has announced the launch of its America 250 Limited Edition Model 1854 rifle, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.