With the rifle and pistol ammunition shortage raging on, we can expect to see a rise in shotgun shooting this year. But it shouldn’t take an ammo shortage to convince folks into picking up a scattergun, as few things are more satisfying than breaking clay targets. If smashing clays isn’t quite your game, smacking steel in 3-gun while perfecting your quad load is a terrific way to spend an afternoon. While they were busy cranking out defensive shotguns last year, some manufacturers developed interesting new sporting pieces. Here are some of my favorite new competition shotguns for 2021.
Benelli Ethos SuperSport
There is “Benelli-style” and then there is Benelli. A glance at the Ethos SuperSport ($2,299) illuminates this statement brilliantly. A nickel-plated receiver and carbon-fiber stock and fore-end yield a stylish product that will also hold up well in wet conditions. But make no mistake, this is not a duck gun. The SuperSport is designed to crush the completion on any clays course. Fitted with both a mid-barrel bead and a red fiber-optic front sight, this shotgun nearly self-aligns with whatever it is pointed at. The classic Benelli semi-automatic, inertia-driven system, coupled with a ported barrel, mitigates recoil and muzzle rise allowing you to get on your next target as quickly as possible. Plus, a set of five extended Crio chokes are included, allowing for a toolless adaption of pattern on demand.
