Elevate you aim - Caesar Guerini Invictus III Ascent
- Last updated: 13/01/2025
Over the past few years, prices of new guns have increased. But are the firearms getting any better? We all want the best value for money that our budget allows, and one name that keeps cropping up is Italian gunmaker Caesar Guerini. Its current shotguns offer exceptional value for money, making them a good choice.
I shot a Caesar Guerini some years back and wasn’t overly impressed. But times change, and after using the Invictus III Ascent, I now have a completely different opinion.
What’s on offer?
Caesar Guerini started the production of shotguns in 2002 and says its goal is to produce the very best shotguns possible at a price that makes any purchase a good investment. Its shotguns are imported by Anglo Italian Arms, which offers a fantastic 10-year mechanical warranty with all its new products, which speaks volumes about how much it believes in its products.
Caesar Guerini has an impressive range of shotguns to suit all shooters, including ladies and juniors. For this review, I chose a gun that appealed to me not only for its great looks but also because it handles incredibly well and is a little bit different from a normal sporting shotgun.
The range of Invictus shotguns is Caesar Guerini’s premium line. There are many models in the range, from the Invictus I, which has a basic silver receiver and lower-grade wood, all the way through to the Invictus IX, which has stunning deep engraving on its sideplates and beautiful high-grade wood. There are also numerous barrel configurations, including the flat-rib Sporter, the raised-rib Ascent, and the adjustable-rib Impact.
Raised rib advantage
The gun I am reviewing has the Ascent rib, of which I am a massive fan. It gives the shooter a very comfortable, upright head position that allows for quick and clear target acquisition. I find these raised ribs to be a great advantage with all types of shotgun shooting and would emphasise that a raised rib is not only for Trap shooting disciplines. For someone like me, who has had a back and shoulder injury, I have found these types of shotguns much more comfortable to shoot.
The Invictus III has a striking engraving pattern, unlike most other shotguns on the market. It has deep floral engraving with fantastical creatures. Every time I looked at the receiver, I would see something different, which is a great attribute in a gun on which you are spending a lot of money. Let’s face it, you want something nice to look at that puts a smile on your face. The gold inlay on the receiver is eye-catching but not too garish. This type of design doesn’t usually appeal to me, but Caesar Guerini has made it work with this model.
This model incorporates the Invictus System, a revolutionary new system that completely changes the way the barrel and action lock together when the shotgun is closed, making the whole thing stronger. The locking surfaces are modular on the Invictus models, creating a gun that is more durable than other traditional over-and-under shotguns. They are fitted with replaceable hinge pins on the barrel that, in symbiosis with the Invictus block, enable easy replacement of the locking system.
The gun also includes Caesar Guerini’s latest fore-end action control system, which allows the user to adjust the eccentric screw in the fore-end to tighten or ease the tension when opening or closing the gun. More importantly, all models in the Invictus range are subjected to high-performance superior steel proof and are stamped with the fleur-de-lis symbol.
Clay-busting tool
Within the hard case, you will find an incredible selection of eight extended chokes, ranging from skeet to extra-full. This is great because you can experiment with what chokes work best for you with the cartridge you are using. Chokes are expensive, so having them there to try without additional financial outlay is a great bonus.
The gun on test was fitted with an adjustable comb on the stock, which I find advantageous because I like a high point of impact. Adjusting the gun to perfectly match my preferences was effortless. Some people don’t like adjustable combs, but a good gun fit is essential if you are to shoot to the best of your ability. This, in turn, will deepen your appreciation for the gun and enhance your enjoyment of shooting with it.
Due to the Invictus range being designed for clay-busting, they are relatively heavy to help reduce recoil and improve handling. This Invictus III came in at 8lbs 9oz, which I loved because it balanced perfectly on the hinge pin, even though it had 32” barrels. The palm swell on the pistol grip fills the hand nicely, and the beavertail fore-end sits well in your leading hand. Once I had the gun set up, I was excited to get out and use it.
Testing, testing
With the gun adjusted, light modified, and modified chokes fitted, it was time to get out and try it on some clays. The reason for this choice of chokes was purely due to other Caesar Guerini users telling me that there was no need to over-choke the gun. This was fine with me because I am a great believer in a modified choke.
The gun handled and shot exactly as I had expected, with very light recoil from the 28g fibre cartridges I was using. It was extremely easy to control on close and distant targets. I can certainly see why the Invictus models are becoming so popular with clay shooters all over the country.
The hits I was achieving were devastating through the light modified and modified chokes. I certainly don’t think that any more choke would be needed on clays, and although I thought I might need a bit more when heading out for some crows, I didn’t.
It was the perfect combination.
I found the Ascent rib to be as brilliant as I had expected it to be. I am used to a raised rib, which is probably why, but it was so easy to lock on to each target with a clear focus and a comfortable head position. If you have never tried a raised-rib shotgun, I implore you to do so, as it has greatly improved my shooting. Raised ribs aren’t suited to everyone’s style, but if you are struggling with your current shotgun, it’s worth trying one.
On my first outing with the Invictus III Ascent, I made one subtle change, as I found that my finger was barely touching the trigger. So, as the trigger blade is adjustable, I simply moved it back. It’s worth noting that the pistol grip on the Invictus models is better suited to shooters with larger hands, or perhaps mine are just rather small.
I took the gun out for a day in the hide and had some great fun with it. There was a heavy wind, and the birds were very challenging, but the Invictus III Ascent made light work of the corvids. The 32g No. 5½ loads were smooth on recoil, and the longer shots were aided by a steady swing due to the extra weight of the sporting shotgun. I won’t say it’s the best choice of hide gun for most shooters, but if someone is looking for a great investment for all types of shooting, it would be an excellent option.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed using the Ascent, and it ticks all the boxes for me. Caesar Guerini shotguns were once seen as something that wouldn’t last very long, and the build quality didn’t compare with other well-made Italian shotguns, but this is no longer the case.
Caesar Guerini has produced an incredible shotgun that is great to look at, handles well, will supposedly last longer than other traditional over-and-under shotguns, and has the future of steel in mind. All new Caesar Guerini guns have fantastic aftercare with Anglo Italian Arms, which means that any mechanical problem will be dealt with promptly.
I imagine most shooters will use this shotgun for clay shooting, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t make a great gun for pheasant shooting in the game season or pest control in the spring/summer. Pick one up if you ever get the opportunity, as the Invictus III is up there with the best.