Weatherby Element 12 Gauge Shotgun

My recent Weatherby...

My recent Weatherby Element shotgun purchase is the second "Element" I now own. The first Element was purchased 5 years ago and has never let me down from the first time I patterned it through 5 seasons of use in both upland and waterfowl hunting. So why would I buy a new shotgun in the same gage if there wasn't anything wrong with it? It was an Element Deluxe, if you are familiar with the model then you know of it's gentlemanly qualities, It truly is a beautiful gun and as such there is always a sense of fear of damaging it while in the field. I know some of you will think that this is silly and that guns are all meant to be used and I assure you all of mine are and will be till the death of me and hopefully many years past.. This brings me to the review of my newly purchased Element Tungsten synthetic 28" 12g. Two days after I picked up my purchase from the FFL dealer, I patterned it with the long range steel choke with two separate shell brands of 3" #2s & 4s I was pleased with the results (point of aim - point of impact at 40m and I couldn't fit a hand in the 30" circle without plenty of holes.. my general ROT). Two weeks later I'm on day two of a three day duck hunt in Maryland.. Day 1, 5:45am we're breaking ice at the ramp and heading out of Deal island, it's 16 degrees and I'm thrilled to test out the new gun in some of the worst conditions but it also means ducks will be moving if we can find some open water. 4 hours and half a box of shells later we're heading back with our limit and the gun functioned flawlessly. I can't say the same for two others in the boat, both of their guns not cycling properly and needing attention later that day (an A5 and a SX4). I can't speak to their maintenance habits or if it was user induced but I can say we were all exposed to some harsh conditions and the Element operated like a champ and when I cleaned the gun that evening, it was very satisfying. Day 2 started out the same and finished even better, a few memorable shots taken due to the confidence and pleasure of owning a gun that is truly "As advertised" To conclude the review I will say Buds Guns pricing is the best and if you ever find yourself in need of a new shotgun you can't beat a Weatherby, buy with confidence.