Bernadelli Mega 20

After recently giving their Mega Sporting a try, it was only natural to shift down a gauge size and shoot a 20-bore Bernardelli. Like the 12g, these diminutive semi-auto shotguns are rapidly finding favour, reason being these are genuine Italian shotguns, the majority of which are to be had for under a £1,000. In other words, proper common sense smoothbores that look good and are well built. They work well and offer the shooter a decent choice and range of guns all of which are based and built around a well proven and most importantly reliable design. Granted, if you go for one of Bernardelli’s Anniversary or Nibbio models or elect to order one of the company’s bespoke side-by-sides then expect to pay more. But at £836 all in, unless you simply must have gold inlays and more ornate engraving, the Mega20 is all you need. 

Imported into the UK by St Helens based John Webster of Norgas Cartridges, word has been getting out about just how good these semi-auto are. Similarly, whilst the 12-bores have their natural following, the Mega20 is making its mark and after having tried one, it comes as no surprise. Reason being, this little gasser is an absolute gem, a sub-gauge shotgun that seems to react and eliminates its targets utilising nothing more than the power of thought. It also confirms as to why the 20g is constantly gaining popularity and the reasons many shooters choose the gauge and semi-auto format for intensive shooting exemplified by the fact it’s the bore of choice for Argentinean dove shooters.

Three of a Kind

The Mega20 on test is the walnut version although there’s a synthetic version that costs slightly less or a camo model that costs slightly more. But apart from the finishes all three models are inherently the same down to the case and a full set of steel proofed, flush-fit choke tubes. In respect of the walnut model, the lacquered finished game stock is finished off with an old school embossed plastic buttplate, the style of which is in direct contrast to the modern, asymmetric checkering cut into the open radiused grip and long slender forend.

The 3” chambered barrel in this case 26” long has a matte anodised finish, a vented, cross-cut 7mm rib and long green lozenge bead with a slight flare at the muzzle to accommodate the chokes. Feeding into a long barrel extension, the usual twin vent barrel ring feeds over the magazine tube that also houses Bernardelli’s colourful gas valve, action slide and long action spring. Based around a plasma coated valve that locates against an automatic compensator, to ensure smooth operation all parts of the gas driven mechanicals are coated with Teflon, the slickness of the system almost tangible.

Finished with a softer matte black anodised surface the only highlights on the alloy receiver are the gold script, gold trigger blade set inside an oversized ovoid polymer guard and cross-bolt safety. Inside the receiver the bolt is a conventional one piece single claw whilst the controls such as the gold bolt release located just below the ejection port. What I still don’t like and didn’t on the Mega Sporting I tested is the bolt lock situated to the rear of the shell lifter. Activated by pushing it backwards this stubby protrusion is to my mind to short to a degree you have to invert the gun to be sure of finding it. The other point of note is that when assembling the Mega20, don’t over tighten the mag cap, finger tight is all that’s required.

Ironing Board

It was more or less a case of going through the motions in respect of attaching the Arrow Laser Shot to the Mega20 since dry mounting had already told me what I’d already assumed. The instant this Bernardelli flashes up to the shoulder its as flat as an ironing board, not even a millimetre of compensation required. Weight wise, at 6lbs you can hardly tell you’re hold of it whilst the 46¼” overall length emphasizes the gun’s diminutive physique. Drops at comb and heel are 1½” and 27/16” along with a 143/16” length of pull to the 7lbs 4oz breaking trigger. Marginally heavy but after a few shots the trigger’s weight is soon forgotten whilst to my own mind a heavier trigger on a semi-auto is no bad thing.

Since John is a major supplier of Fiocchi ammo it was decided that besides my own Eley cartridges the Mega20 would be shot with a mixture of the two. To that end, equal numbers of Fiocchi 28g Top20 and 21g Eley CT20 along with ¼ choke formed the basis of the test along with a goodly selection of sporting and skeet birds. Granted I didn’t shoot a straight but I was on the fifth stand of the skeet layout before I missed a target, the Mega20 instantly living up to its name and to finish four birds away with a shotgun I’d never used before more than said all that was needed. This little gun floats effortlessly to exactly where it needs to be, the balance point directly beneath the chamber, excellent weight distribution, exemplary patterning and deftness of handling as good as any shotgun I’ve ever handled. The extended forend and slender grip promotes secure, fluid gun movement whilst the equilibrium means the Mega20 mounts in an instant.

Equally, there wasn’t the slightest difference between ammunition types; the gun cycling each brand flawlessly, the cyclic procedure quick, slick and faster than any shooter is ever likely to need. Shifting onto sporting the Mega20 proved equally accomplished as it did with ½ choke fitted and loaded up with 30g Eley VIP Game load and aimed at a few unwary crows. As might be expected the perceived recoil increased ever so slightly but was still well dissipated, the gun remaining comfortable to shoot at all times. 

One Or More

A facility John has introduced is the option of barrel lengths all in at the same price. Taking it a step farther, at £170 each or thereabouts, customers can buy their Mega20 as is and add extra barrel lengths as and when they see fit as can all Bernardelli semi-auto owners or buyers. But as someone who has always preferred shorter barrels on their semi-autos and pumps, the 26” tube Mega20 ticks all the boxes. This truly is a gem of a 20-bore, not only does it look good, the handling is excellent whilst at £836 it’s the best of both worlds, an Italian shotgun with a Turkish price tag. And unless you simply must have a 12g, for those who’ve yet to appreciate the advantages of the 20g, Bernardelli’s Mega20 could well be the perfect introduction to a degree you just might end up leaving the others permanently stowed away in the cabinet.