Benelli Raffaello Accademia

The words ‘beautiful’ and ‘semiautomatic’ don’t get used together very often. Most semi-autos are plain. None of them would turn heads on the looks front. For example, the Benelli M2 is the workhorse of many gamekeepers because it offers rugged reliability, but it is totally utilitarian. However, the semi-auto we are reviewing this month couldn’t be more different. It is stunning.

With flying mallards engraved on its profile and gold accents, the Benelli Raffaello Accademia is the antithesis of the M2. So much so that you wouldn’t believe they came from the same stable. You would struggle to find a game gun with this amount of artistry. Combine that with beautifully figured walnut (grade 3) and you