Benelli was founded in 1967 and quickly built a reputation for designing and manufacturing well-made firearms. Their attention to detail and willingness to think outside the industry box has proven successful on more than one occasion, especially as of late, and now they’ve turned that attention to pheasant hunting. The Ethos is Benelli’s newest offering, but it is not just any 28-gauge shotgun. This shotgun takes 3″ shotshells.

The Ethos is beautifully put together and machined to the high standards of Italian manufacturing Benelli is known for, but there’s more to it than its external good looks. This is a 28-gauge shotgun and the fact that it takes 3″ shotshells does make it unique. So unique, in fact, that only one company, Fiocchi, is actually making the ammunition this shotgun requires.

Benelli’s Ethos line has quite a reputation considering the 12-gauge and 20-gauge models were each awarded Shotgun of the Year in consecutive years. Those awards came from Petersen’s Hunting and Guns and Ammo. According to the rep I spoke with at SHOT Show this third addition to the Ethos family will most likely be the final crowning jewel of the line.

This is a lightweight shotgun and feels like it weighs around six pounds. It has a 26″ barrel and AA-Grade walnut stock. It’s so new the complete specs are not yet available, but rather than delay giving you guys a look at it by waiting for specs I decided to post it immediately. MSRP is $2199.

Visit Benelli’s website at www.benelliusa.com.