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Beretta DT11 o/u

  • Review
Beretta DT11 o/u

One of the most anticipated competition 12-bores, Beretta’s new DT11 has a lot to live up to as Mark Stone found out

Considered the most formidable competition shotgun of recent times, Beretta’s DT10 set global standards. Available in a variety of discipline specific formats, the DT10 was the choice of numerous world class shooters. But as time has gone by, another equally famous fellow Italian manufacturer has edged ahead, especially when it comes to gathering Olympic medals, a state of affairs that prompted the development of the DT11.

This is the third drop-lock trigger gun Beretta has built over the years, the first the ASE from back in the 1950’s, the second of course the DT10. DT or Detachable Trigger means that should the shooter experience any form of problem, the trigger mechanism can be dropped out and quickly repaired, some shooters even carry a spare trigger group should a fault develop mid-competition.

However, one thing that must be said from the off is that whilst a gun that fits it’s shooter, points where it needs to be, balances and handles as if its an integral component of the shooter’s actual being and reacts within milliseconds is all well and good but ultimately it’s down to the shooter. As the saying goes ‘if you ain’t on ‘em, you won’t hit ‘em’ no matter how good or tailor made your competition shotgun might be.

Look-alikes

To the casual glance the DT11 looks remarkably like its predecessor. However the first giveaway is that the familiar blue travelling case has been replaced with one of silver although the blue hue has been retained for the small case containing the extended Optima multi-chokes. There is also an alternative thickness recoil pad along with stock keys and other adjusting devices, any and all tools the shooter may require enclosed within.

As with all of Beretta’s top line shotguns some rather nice looking walnut forms the sporter stock and rounded forend. The semi-oiled finish is complimented by two curved panels of fine cut checkering on each side of the semi-pistol grip and the solid panel that envelopes the forend.  Whilst the walnut is of excellent quality, due to the increased width of the new boxlock action, despite the fact that the stock head has to be of the correct width to accommodate the action, the radius of grip is for me to open whilst the thickness or diameter is in need of slimming down.

Granted that if you have your DT11 custom built - a facility Beretta offer all their customers - you’ll have these dimensions and curvatures built to your own personal requirements, as an off the shelf gun such as the one on test, its an aspect you need to pay particular attention to. My hands aren’t small by any standards but personally I found the grip too open and to thick for my right hand to find the ideal and more importantly instantly repeatable position. But remember that’s from my own physical perspective. 

Action Stations

As a competition 12-bore the DT11 has minimal ornamentation but what little there is, is more than pleasing. A combination of polished and satin surfaces that also incorporate Beretta’s trademark shoulder cut outs, the Beretta name, Trident logo the outlines have been picked out in mid-blue. Modernistic in style the design is elegant in execution, the basic simplicity an example of restrained, understated refinement.

Maintaining the DT11’s competition pedigree the fences are heavily stippled whilst the thumb pad of the short top-lever cranked to the right. Similarly the new broad manual safety-catch and barrel order selector is big and positive in looks and operation whilst on the opposite side the adjustable trigger-blade sits within a large, satin finish guard. But it’s the action that is the first of two main changes that Beretta has been at pains to improve.

Integral to the dimension of the rest of the gun the new action is 3mm wider and 3oz heavier than what went before. Once again utilising the cross-bolt locking system the added width also means the strength has increased as the bolt locks over a wider area. Two deep recesses located within the standing breech allow the corresponding lugs that protrude from either side of the top chamber to rotate inwards as the gun is closed, the bolt sliding across as the lugs and bolt intermesh.

Take The Tube

Where the main innovations have taken place are within the inner bores of the barrels. Manufactured from what Beretta call Steelium Pro, the name for their own new hardened steel recipe, externally these 3” chambered barrels look like most others. A 7-10mm vented and fine cross-cut top rib completed with a large white bead is complimented by what initially is a solid mid-rib that feeds into four narrow vents then an unsupported section, the tubes themselves measuring 30” or 30¾” with the extended Optima chokes fitted.

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The reason for the new inner bore design is to combat the International Shooting Sports Federation’s decision to reduce Olympic competition cartridge load sizes down to 24grams,

the ammo makers immediately counteracting this move by developing faster propellants and shorter shot strings. Equally, gun manufacturers started to take greater interest in their barrel bores; Beretta’s DT11 tubes the latest concept.

In simplified terms from the chamber most barrels progress into a rear or primary forcing cone that are usually between 1½” and 3” long, the purpose of which is to channel the shot and wad down into the main bore of the barrel. At the other end another forcing cone then narrows the bore and sends the shot into the muzzle restriction and then onwards and out towards the target. The direction Beretta have taken is to dispense with the rear forcing cone, instead introducing a long, more gradual or conical taper just over five times longer than their previous or conventional design.

This in turn feeds into a shorter back or overbored section before the usual forward forcing cone and chokes come into play. The idea is that the pellets have more room which in turn means less pellet deformation, a more evenly distributed pattern and less recoil all of which comes from the more gradual inner bore changes. Does it work? Yes, but for me there was a downside.

Size Matters

Physically Beretta’s DT11 Sporter is a big 12-bore. Weight wise the gun weighs 9lbs 2oz whilst the overall length inclusive of the multi-chokes is 47¾”. Drops at comb and heel of the fix stock as tested were 13/8” and 2¼” with an adjustable length of pull from between 14 ¼” to 14 ½” set by sliding the trigger-blade itself forward or back although the factory release weight of 5lbs 2oz remains the same.

Balance wise this big Sporter pivots perfectly below the hinges, the weight distribution producing a neutral gun that moves easily in any direction. As with all 12-bores of this type, where the weight comes into play is in keeping any and all movement under control, the DT11 able to eliminate any potential to snatch at a target, the character of this Beretta being to keep itself and the shooter under measured control, every movement instilled with deliberation.

A moment with the Arrow Laser Shot confirmed that for me at least the DT11 would shoot flat and to point of aim. The gun was initially shot over fifty of Bond & Bywaters sporting targets, first using 28g Eley VIP Sporting fibrewads and then 28g Eley VIP Trap plaswads. Choked ¼ in the bottom barrel ½ in the top the fibres were clean and concise.

Taking the wadding tests farther, a single trap was set up on the Huntroyde layout. Loading up with the same Eley cartridges and with the same choking a hundred identical birds were shot, the end result being confirmation of my original thoughts. Whilst the DT11 is more than enough 12-bore when loaded with fibrewads the overall feel of the gun - and the quality of kills - improves when shooting with plaswads. The overall sensation is one of a crisper, more responsive feel, the clays broken in a more convincing manner.

Given that the Italians shoot plaswad loads in far greater numbers than UK sporting shooters unless they’re competing in registered events, the DT11’s preference for fast, top of the range plaswad loads counts both for and against the gun. Loaded with plaswads the DT11 comes alive to a truly impressive degree and whilst the gun undoubtedly performs and performs well with fibrewads, the overall feel isn’t as razor sharp.

Nearly There

If you’re in the position of considering a DT11 it basically means one of two things. Either the asking price of £6,750 is well within your means or you shoot at a level that dictates you need a competition 12-bore of this quality. My advice is unless the standard Sporter stock dimensions are to your liking, add 5% to the price and have your DT11 tailor made. Alternatively, go for the adjustable stock version for £7,250 or consider the no palm swell option.

In respect of the DT11 as a whole whether it’s the Sporter, Trap or Skeet models, if you shoot plaswad as most Trap shooters tend to, Beretta’s new barrel boring technology will play straight into your hands. If not and you need to shoot with fibrewads then my advice is to experiment, evaluate and pattern with a variety of makes and variations thereof which will allow you to decide on the one that suits your DT11 the best. What surprises me slightly is that unlike some other manufacturer, there is currently no option of a set of barrels specifically configured for plaswads or fibrewads.

If a plaswad or fibrewad specific barrel can be made then why not offer the shooter the option of buying the two as a complete outfit, each of the barrel sets struck so they weigh and feel the exact same.

It’s for these reasons that from my own perspective, the DT11 is in my opinion about 98.5% of the way there. No top flight competition 12-bore is bang on out of the box, a few tweaks and adjustments are often needed hence the appearance of the enhanced model a year or so later. In this instance the grip profile and barrel technology are just a fraction away from being exactly right, something Beretta will no doubt be working on. Don’t get me wrong though, the DT11 is a great looking gun, it handles well, balances exactly as it should do, moves with grace and poise and shoots well, more so with plaswads if my own tests and evaluations were anything to go by. Similarly it won’t be long before the DT11 in whatever guise starts to win and win big! GM

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