A.I. is here (so to speak), and this most interesting technology has the shotgun world buzzing. Our writer put Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 Advanced Impact to the test on a Cowboy State turkey hunt and came away wondering if tighter chokes are even needed with this new barrel design.
by David Kelley
Announced last year in several models, the Benelli Advanced Impact barrel and choke system has expanded into the Super Black Eagle 3 series of shotguns. For 2025, Benelli USA has added the Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. Cerakote and Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. BE.S.T. Both shotguns are available in 28-inch 12-gauge and 20-gauge, with the Cerakote offered in flat dark earth metal and Mossy Oak Bottomland or Realtree Max 7 stocks. The BE.S.T. is catalogued with a matte gray finish and Gore Optifade furniture. Aside from the barrel technology, the Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. is the same inertia-driven shotgun as previous Super Black Eagle 3 models.
Benelli advertises that combining an improved barrel profile and incorporating the Advanced Impact choke increases downrange performance compared to non-A.I. barrels. The manufacturer states, “At the end of a long research and development work, what can be defined as the best internal profile to date has been identified to redesign the barrel-choke assembly and achieve performances never experienced before.”
Think of benefits gained from back-boring and extending or altering the forcing cone, but without shipping to a competent gunsmith to complete the work. These refinements to the barrel and choke reduce friction to increase velocity, allow a smoother and gentler transition from chamber to bore, and bore to choke tube. Combined, the results minimize pellet deformation to provide a more uniform pattern, tighten the shot string, and increase energy due to speed.
I had a recent opportunity to handle, pattern, and turkey hunt with a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. Cerakote chambered in 12-guage.
Range Time
I arrived for a spring turkey hunt with Trophy Ridge Outfitters of Carlile, Wyoming, well ahead of the group to unpack and assemble the shotguns, install the factory-provided full chokes, mount optics, and perform pattern tests. Not having a typical workbench or the convenience of a personal tool chest, several Real Avid products proved handy. The shotguns were each placed in a Speed Stand, and X3 Driver sets were used as we converted the dining room to a temporary workshop.
With bases secured to the shotguns, a Burris FastFire E was attached. This optic provides the reliability of earlier FastFire red dots but with an enclosed emitter for those who require added durability compared to an open lens. The E model is 1.81 inches long and weighs 2.45 ounces. The optic is as simple to operate as previous FastFire models, with two buttons controlling both on/off and brightness settings for the 3.5 MOA dot. Battery life is an impressive 60,000 hours.
Next, the shotguns were benched on MTM Shoulder-Gard rests — a welcome set-up for patterning 3-inch Fiocchi Golden Turkey TSS 12-gauge ammo. Starting at 20 yards, one round was fired. Realigning the dot after recoil, a partner adjusted the sight to the pattern’s center. Finer changes were made as needed from that point.
I noticed a trend between the four shotguns that were fired. All were consistently low, with less than half the windage adjustment required on each compared to elevation. I found it interesting and a possible testament to tolerances, with each requiring a relatively similar amount of distance and direction of adjustment from the mechanical zero of the optic.
In addition to the shotguns all requiring similar adjustment, another occurrence stood out. The first three shots all placed the plastic wad into the target. A later comparison of iPhone slow-motion video showed a non-A.I. barrel shedding the wad at a closer distance to the muzzle. I assume the denser patterns could be from the wad carrying the shot further than non-A.I. barrels and chokes. As expected, patterns at 20 were tight, with a majority of pellets impacting an 8-inch core on average between the four firearms.
Once the hunting party arrived, individual users fired the shotguns at 20 to 40 yards to familiarize themselves with the gun and optic and to make any final adjustments. After that session, not a single hunter lacked confidence in the equipment.
For an added bit of data collection, we did have access to one standard Super Black Eagle 3 (non-A.I.) with a tighter-constriction aftermarket choke for comparison. Several shots were fired from the A.I. and non-A.I. using the same Fiocchi #9 TSS. The tighter choke did hold a slight edge over the OEM for pellet count in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards, though the difference between the two was marginal and barely discernible by eye. The A.I. put over 250 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40. Again, that is with the OEM full choke. Extended time and resources, such as larger pattern sheets to show more than a square turkey target, would paint the complete picture of the entire pattern size and density. From dispersion on the 12×12-inch sheet, I wouldn’t foresee the fringes of the pattern falling off or being littered with gaps.
These range observations included four shotguns, factory chokes, and one type of ammunition. I’m confident that more in-depth and tightly controlled testing will develop as the Super Black Eagle 3 A.I.’s availability increases. It’ll be interesting to see advanced testing for penetration gains resulting from increased speed, detailed pattern tests with multiple brands of ammunition, and footage of the shot string. I do believe that gains in all areas are there.
The Hunt
Day one of the hunt began with a 3:00 a.m. wake-up and a quick meeting in the lodge to chat about final morning plans. With my travel mug filled and a wrapped breakfast sandwich in hand, the guide made one last check for gun, ammo, and license. Confirming all, we headed out in his truck to the location we’d be for the day.
Settled in position well before shooting light, gobblers were sounding off across the opposite hillside and ridge. After departing their roosts, several worked their way towards us but were hesitant to enter the meadow towards our decoy. We moved on birds a handful of times that morning, resulting in my hunting partner tagging his first turkey — not the first of this trip, but his first turkey ever. Between the region’s beauty, turkeys’ vocalization throughout the morning, and using a new A.I. shotgun, I’m sure the hunter won’t forget that experience. I know I won’t.
We shared conversation, took field photos, and hiked back to the truck, where we enjoyed a tailgate lunch. Then, on to find my gobbler. The guide, Matt, knew I’d be able and willing to move as needed through the remainder of the day. The plan changed to covering as much ground as possible to increase the chances of encounters. Shock calling, glassing, and navigating terrain, we worked several birds that afternoon. Fortunately for the birds and unfortunately for us, the distance wasn’t closed on one before quitting time.
Day two started with similar scenarios. Birds flew down from the roost in unexpected directions, pulled away by hens before entering shotgun range, and there were a few surprise encounters where I admittedly couldn’t get on the trigger quick enough as a situation developed. We were preparing to enter a canyon that had been hunted the previous day and had started the downhill trek when a gobble on the ridge we had just departed echoed towards us. We side-hilled that turkey to stay low and out of view until his position was pinpointed. The final approach was a direct, steep uphill crawl to the edge of his pasture. The hunt ended as I slowly raised myself and the SBE 3 A.I. to gain a view over the crest. Using a few tight trees as cover masked my vertical move. The view over the crest exposed the gobbler without alerting him. The FastFire dot settled and my first Wyoming gobbler flopped to a quick expiration.
Returning to cell reception areas, we found that I was the final hunter of five to finish the hunt. Our group of hunters had 100% success in one day plus one morning. The food was plentiful, the outfitter and guides gave full effort, and lodging accommodations were comfortable between the main lodge and three cabins.
Readers who haven’t visited northeastern Wyoming should consider adding the region to their list of destinations. This area is rich with game, with postcard-worthy scenery to be found in every direction.
Final Thoughts
All four shotguns patterned equally well using the provided full chokes with no large “holes” at 40 yards. I was thoroughly impressed with the A.I. system combined with Fiocchi #9 TSS — to the point of questioning if a tighter turkey choke is needed for the A.I. barrel inside of 40-50 yards.
There will be two camps when Advanced Impact discussion arises. One will be “my standard Super Black Eagle 3 performs fine.” The second is, “I want to squeeze every drop of performance out of a shotgun without the hassle of gunsmith modifications.”
For the latter who appreciate and demand maximum effectiveness, this shotgun is for you.
- FIELD TEST: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Advanced Impact - May 28, 2025
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