Weatherby EWF1226PGM Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge 26" 4+1 3" Overall Realtree Max-5 Fixed Griptonite Stock Right Hand (Full Size) Includes 4 Chokes

Unleashing Peak Performance: The Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge Semi-Automatic Shotgun

For the dedicated waterfowl hunter, the pursuit often leads to challenging environments where equipment reliability is not just a preference, but a necessity. Muddy marshes, freezing blinds, and relentless rain demand a shotgun that performs flawlessly, shot after shot, season after season. This is precisely where the Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge semi-automatic shotgun distinguishes itself. Engineered with the hunter in mind, this firearm combines Weatherby's renowned commitment to quality with a robust, inertia-operated action designed for the rigors of the field.

Are you searching for a dependable semi-automatic shotgun that can withstand the harshest elements of waterfowl hunting? Do you need a firearm that cycles cleanly, offers superior handling, and blends seamlessly into your hunting environment? The Weatherby Element Waterfowl answers these critical questions with a resounding yes, offering a blend of innovative features and proven performance that makes it an indispensable tool for serious fowlers.

The Heart of Reliability: Inertia-Operated Action

At the core of the Weatherby Element's exceptional performance is its "inertia-operated" action. Unlike traditional gas-operated systems that vent gases from the barrel to cycle the action, the inertia system harnesses the recoil energy of the fired shell. When a round is discharged, the gun recoils backward, but the bolt remains momentarily stationary due to its own inertia. This relative movement between the bolt and the receiver compresses a spring, which then propels the bolt backward, ejecting the spent shell and loading a fresh one as it returns forward. This elegant mechanism translates into several significant advantages for the waterfowl hunter:

• Unrivaled Cleanliness: Because no combustion gases are diverted into the action, the Weatherby Element runs significantly cleaner than gas-operated shotguns. This reduces carbon buildup and fouling, meaning less time spent on tedious cleaning after a long day in the marsh and more time enjoying your hunt. It also ensures consistent operation, even during high-volume shooting sessions, without degradation from grime accumulation.
• Enhanced Reliability in Harsh Conditions: The simplicity of the inertia system makes it incredibly reliable. With fewer moving parts and no gas ports to potentially clog with debris, mud, or ice, the Element is less susceptible to environmental contaminants that can cause malfunctions in extreme weather. This is a critical factor for waterfowl hunting, where conditions are often far from ideal.
• Consistent Cycling Across a Range of Loads: While some inertia systems can be sensitive to very light loads, the Weatherby Element is engineered to cycle a wide array of 12-gauge ammunition, from light target loads to heavy 3-inch magnum waterfowl loads. This versatility ensures that hunters can choose the optimal ammunition for their specific target and conditions without worrying about cycling issues.

Built for the Blind: The Realtree Max-5 Advantage

In waterfowl hunting, camouflage isn't just about blending in; it's about disappearing. The Weatherby Element Waterfowl model features an overall Realtree Max-5 finish, one of the most effective camouflage patterns ever designed for wetland environments. This pattern incorporates cattails, reeds, cane, and grasses, along with corn, wheat, oats, and sunflowers, making it highly adaptable across various marsh, field, and open-water settings. The meticulously detailed pattern creates a realistic illusion of depth and texture, breaking up the shotgun's outline and allowing you to remain undetected by wary ducks and geese. The comprehensive application of the Max-5 finish, from the receiver to the barrel and stock, ensures that no reflective or contrasting surfaces alert your quarry.

Uncompromised Control: The Fixed Griptonite Stock and Ergonomics

Control and comfort are paramount when spending hours in a blind, often in wet and cold conditions. The Weatherby Element Waterfowl features a fixed Griptonite stock, a proprietary synthetic material that provides an exceptionally secure and comfortable grip, even when wet or gloved. The tactile, non-slip texture enhances your ability to maintain a firm hold on the shotgun, crucial for swinging on fast-flying birds and managing recoil effectively. The ergonomic design of the Griptonite stock ensures natural pointing and comfortable shoulder mounting, reducing fatigue during extended hunts.

Furthermore, Weatherby understands that a perfect fit is essential for consistent shooting. The Element includes a comprehensive set of spacers and shims, allowing hunters to customize the length of pull and adjust the drop at comb and heel. This adjustability ensures that the shotgun shoulders perfectly for individual shooters, promoting better sight alignment, improved accuracy, and enhanced comfort, ultimately leading to more successful hunts.

Precision and Versatility: Barrel and Choke System

The 26-inch vent rib barrel of the Weatherby Element Waterfowl is a testament to its design for optimal field performance. This barrel length strikes an ideal balance, offering sufficient sight radius for precise aiming while remaining maneuverable in tight blinds or dense cover. The vented top rib dissipates heat efficiently, minimizing mirage effects that can distort your sight picture during rapid firing. Complementing this, a bright fiber optic front bead sight provides excellent visibility in various lighting conditions, enabling quick and intuitive target acquisition even at dawn or dusk.

For enhanced durability and ease of maintenance, the barrel is chrome-lined. This internal chrome plating significantly increases the barrel's resistance to corrosion, pitting, and wear, particularly important when shooting corrosive loads or operating in damp, salty environments. It also simplifies cleaning, as fouling has less tendency to adhere to the slick, hard chrome surface.

Versatility is key in waterfowl hunting, where targets can range from close-in teal to high-flying geese. The Weatherby Element includes four interchangeable choke tubes: Full (F), Improved Cylinder (IC), Modified (M), and Long Range Steel (LR Steel). This comprehensive set allows hunters to optimize their shot patterns for various distances and target sizes. Crucially, the "LR Steel" choke signifies that all included chokes are rated for use with modern steel shot, which is a legal requirement in many waterfowl hunting areas. This ensures you can confidently use a wide range of ammunition without compromising barrel integrity or pattern performance.

Thoughtful Details for the Discerning Hunter

Beyond the core mechanics and robust construction, the Weatherby Element is packed with thoughtful features that elevate its user experience:

• Dual-Purpose Bolt Release: This intelligent design feature allows the hunter to move the bolt forward into battery with a simple press, ensuring the firearm is ready to fire quickly and quietly. It also serves a second crucial function: allowing for the safe and efficient removal of live shells from the magazine without needing to cycle them through the chamber. This is invaluable for unloading safely at the end of a hunt or when crossing obstacles in the field.
• 4+1 Capacity: With a capacity of four rounds in the magazine tube and one in the chamber, the Element provides ample firepower for multiple bird flushes while adhering to typical hunting regulations.
• Lightweight Design: Weighing in at just 6.75 pounds, the Weatherby Element Waterfowl is remarkably light for a 12-gauge semi-auto. This low weight significantly reduces fatigue during long treks to the blind and allows for faster, more fluid swings on passing birds.
• Overall Length (OAL) of 46.75 inches: This compact overall length contributes to the shotgun's maneuverability, making it easier to handle in cramped blinds or when navigating dense vegetation.
• Steel Receiver with Crossbolt Safety: The robust steel receiver ensures durability and strength, while the easily accessible crossbolt safety provides intuitive and positive control over the firearm's firing status.

Why Choose the Weatherby Element Waterfowl for Your Next Hunt?

The Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge is not just another shotgun; it's a meticulously crafted hunting instrument designed to excel in the most demanding conditions. If you are a dedicated waterfowl hunter, or simply a shotgun enthusiast who demands unwavering reliability and performance from your firearm, the Element offers:

• Unwavering Reliability: The inertia system ensures consistent cycling, even with varied loads and in extreme weather conditions.
• Superior Camouflage: The full Realtree Max-5 finish provides unparalleled concealment in wetland environments.
• Customizable Fit: Included shims allow for personalized stock adjustments, enhancing comfort and accuracy.
• Effortless Maintenance: The clean-running inertia action and chrome-lined barrel significantly reduce cleaning time.
• Versatility: A 3-inch chamber and four included steel-rated choke tubes accommodate a wide range of ammunition and hunting scenarios.
• Ergonomic Handling: The Griptonite stock and lightweight design ensure comfortable and secure manipulation in the field.

For hunters who value performance, reliability, and precision, the Weatherby Element Waterfowl is a prime choice that consistently delivers where it matters most: in the duck blind.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Weatherby Element Waterfowl

Navigating the features of a new shotgun can bring up several questions. Here are some common inquiries about the Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge:

Is the Weatherby Element 12 Gauge a good shotgun for duck hunting?

Absolutely. The Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge is specifically designed for waterfowl hunting. Its inertia-operated action provides reliable cycling in wet and cold conditions, the Realtree Max-5 camouflage offers excellent concealment, and its durable construction is built to withstand the demanding environments of the marsh and field. It's a top-tier choice for serious duck and goose hunters.

How does the inertia-operated system on the Weatherby Element work?

The inertia system uses the recoil energy of a fired shell to cycle the action. As the gun recoils, the bolt's inertia keeps it momentarily stationary, compressing a spring. This spring then propels the bolt backward to eject the spent shell and forward to load a new one. This design keeps the action cleaner than gas-operated systems, as no gases are diverted into the receiver.

What kind of choke tubes come with the Weatherby Element Waterfowl?

The Weatherby Element Waterfowl includes four interchangeable choke tubes: Full (F), Improved Cylinder (IC), Modified (M), and Long Range Steel (LR Steel). These chokes allow you to customize your shot pattern for various distances and target types.

Can I use steel shot ammunition in the Weatherby Element 12 Gauge?

Yes, all the choke tubes included with the Weatherby Element Waterfowl are rated for use with steel shot. The chrome-lined barrel also enhances its durability when shooting steel shot, making it fully compatible with modern non-toxic ammunition requirements for waterfowl hunting.

How do I adjust the fit of the Weatherby Element's stock?

The Weatherby Element Waterfowl comes with a shim set that allows you to adjust the length of pull and the drop at the comb and heel of the stock. This enables shooters to customize the fit of the shotgun to their individual body mechanics, improving comfort, pointing, and overall shooting performance.

What are the benefits of the Realtree Max-5 camouflage on this shotgun?

Realtree Max-5 is a highly versatile waterfowl camouflage pattern that incorporates natural elements like cattails, reeds, and various crops. Its intricate design creates a deep, multi-layered effect that helps the shotgun disappear into wetland environments, providing superior concealment from wary waterfowl.

Is the Weatherby Element easy to clean and maintain?

Yes, the inertia-operated action is known for its clean operation because it doesn't vent combustion gases into the receiver. This means less carbon buildup and fouling, making cleaning much quicker and easier compared to gas-operated shotguns. The chrome-lined barrel also simplifies bore cleaning and offers excellent corrosion resistance.

What is the capacity of the Weatherby Element Waterfowl?

The Weatherby Element Waterfowl has a capacity of 4+1 rounds, meaning four shells in the magazine tube and one in the chamber, for a total of five rounds.

Product Specifications: Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge Shotgun (EWF1226PGM)

Below is a detailed breakdown of the Weatherby Element Waterfowl 12 Gauge shotgun's specifications, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective owners. This model, identified by MPN EWF1226PGM, offers a blend of performance and features optimized for the discerning hunter.