Bernadelli Mega 20 Synthetic Camo

The only thing I can say about the Bernardelli Mega20 I shot a few months ago was that it more than lived up to the Mega name. Straight out of the box it decimated two rounds of skeet before positively laying waste to Huntroyde Estate’s crows, pigeons, jays, rabbits and that most odious of pests, grey squirrels. So it came as no surprise when UK importer John Webster from the Norgas Cartridge Company contacted me to let me know he’d got a new Mega20 Synthetic Camo in stock. Finished in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass, this particular Mega20 has been designed primarily for the duck shooter, the covert hide bound pigeon shooter or those who tend to be a little harder on their shotguns. All the while though, it still embodies all the delicate handling and slick performance of its more upmarket siblings.

The gun comes in a green travelling case complete with a full set of flush-fit choke tubes, a set of stock shims and spare ‘o’ rings. Apart from the thick, soft rubber recoil pad and black mag cap, the rest of the gun is encapsulated within the latest photorealistic camouflage. Checkering is moulded into the trim grip that’ll suit all hand sizes, including those of female and junior shooters, and the pattern repeats along both sides of the long, slender forend.

Chambered for 3-inch shells and fitted with the slightly longer 28-inch barrel, a 7mm rib and long red lozenge bead sits over the gentle 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.

With no variation in the finish, the only aspect of the alloy receiver that has escaped the blades of grass is the black trigger blade, bolt and shell lifter. As is now more or less usual, the cross-bolt safety is located in the rear span of the trigger guard whilst the bolt lock is situated at the rear of the lifter. As always on this style of lock, in my opinion it’s too small especially if like me, you wear gloves when you’re shooting. Inside the receiver the bolt is a conventional one piece single claw whilst the controls such as the bolt release located just below the ejection port.

Flat Line

Like many new semis, to assemble the Mega20 you first have to have the bolt forward, slowly drawing it backwards as you slide the barrel and extension into place. Once done, all you then need do is screw the mag cap into place until finger tight. When hooked up to the Arrow Laser Shot the Synthetic Camo flat lined, the view when mounted taking in nothing more than the red bead whilst the gun mounted into the shoulder the exact same time after time. The Mega20 Synthetic Camo weighed in at 6lbs 4oz with an overall length of 48-inches.

Like all synthetic stocked guns, the dimensions tend to be marginally different to their walnut-wearing counterparts, this Bernardelli being no different. Drops at comb and heel are 1 7/16-inches and 2 13/32-inches along with a 133⁄4-inch length of pull to the nicely weighted 6lbs 1oz breaking trigger.

Loading up with Fiocchi 28g Top20 (since Norgas are a main dealer), plus my usual 21g Eley CT20 along with 1⁄4 choke and the valve set to light, it was time to head to Bond & Bywater’s evening shoot. It was also when a small but easily rectified problem reared its head – most Bernardellis tend to be delivered with an almost surplus of grease but for some reason the Camo had escaped the oil pot’s attentions. The end result was that the gun struggled to cycle correctly, that was until a liberal dose of Ballistol Universal was applied around the bolt, inside the receiver and along the action slide and spring. Working the bolt to and fro for a minute or so and then ensuring the chamber was clean, the Mega20 worked flawlessly.

Similarly, screwing in 1⁄2 choke allowed the gun to emulate its forebear around Huntroyde’s seemingly endless population of corvids and tree rats, the three shot facility a bonus on those that thought they’d escaped the initial shot. The 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.

Once the gun had been suitably lubricated, 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. As might be expected, the perceived recoil increased ever so slightly when heavier loads were used, but it was still well dissipated, the gun remaining comfortable to shoot at all times, the effectiveness of the vented recoil pad ensuring the gun remained comfortable even during extended periods of shooting.

Conclusion

A facility Norgas has introduced is the option of barrel lengths all in at the same price bracket, the Synthetic Camo, as is, retailing at £861. Alternatively for around £170 each or thereabouts, customers can add extra barrels as and when they see fit. This 20g Bernardelli proved just how effective this bore size actually is when used in a shotgun that’s had some thought put into the design and physical dynamics.

All the Mega20s are genuinely sweet little semis in every respect to a degree, and once you’ve truly got used to the subtleties, it’ll quickly become your gun of choice for each and every outing. As an all-rounder, with sensible use of the chokes and ammo selection, there’s little this Mega20 can’t take on. But as a pigeon gun it’ll excel. In my part of the world, pigeon decoying isn’t a big thing since we don’t get woodies in any great numbers, the type of farming being more livestock based. But after letting a couple of friends who travel miles to the parts of the country where big bags are the norm and a fast-handling semi is almost mandatory, the pair of them heaped praises on the gun.

Lastly, it’s also worth remembering that, at the price, you’re getting an Italian-built gas powered semi-auto more or less for the same cost as one of the more upmarket Turkish guns. Whilst there’s nothing at all wrong with shotguns and, more notably, semis from Turkey, many buyers still prefer Italian, the only defining factor being the cost; that is until now.

Bernardelli are one of the most respected makers in the world, the Mega20 Synthetic Camo being a prime example as to why.

PRICES: SRP £836
ONTACT: Norgas Cartridge Company 01744 22294 / 24264 www.norgascartridges.co.uk