Page 64 - GUNS Issue n.01

that I consider excessive for a
PATTeRn PLATe TesT clean shot. It is a proof of the
quality of the game and their
Cartridges used: Baschieri & Pellagri F2 legend, 28 grams 7.5 lead excellent acclimatization in the
Total pellets per cartridge: 343 territory, a behavior encouraged
Distance: 30 meters (33 yards) by the low vegetation that doesn’t
Choke type: Modified *** offer great shelter to partridges.
Percentage of pellets inside the 750 mm (29.5”) circle: 95% (325 pellets)
Percentage of pellets inside the external circle: 32% (103 pellets) After a while Keira stops near a
Percentage of pellets inside the 350 mm (13.8”) circle: 68% (222 pellets) juniper bush, I approach her and
Distribution: concentrated and regular pattern in all sectors. a small covey, 5 or 6 birds, takes
off about ten meters away, just
beyond the bushes. I choose one
slightly isolated bird and shoot.
The partridge seems hit, but she
continues gliding until she lands
in a grove at the bottom of a gully.
Keira follows it and just as I am
about to resign myself to the idea
of a long and tiring search, I see
her reappear at the bottom of the
valley, with the partridge between
her teeth. One last stop, on the way
back, allows me to score a couple
of birds, just before giving in to
the heat and the sun. The day ends
with a bag of 5 grey partridges,
which I consider more than
sufficient and above all respectful
of the quality of the habitat
and of the wild population that
will surely be able to give great
satisfaction to all those who will
have the privilege of hunting here
next autumn.
The shotgun impressed me with
its excellent performance and
ergonomics, especially if you take
into account the true entry-level
price of only 940 euros. The Affinity
3 is the perfect shotgun for beginners
looking for their first hunting
firearm, but I would not hesitate to
recommend it even to experienced
hunters looking for an effective no-
frills gun. This 20 gauge shotgun
is light and with a 24” barrel it is
also compact, a perfect choice for
hunting with a dog. The black finish
of the receiver is outstandingly
abrasion-resistant and the polymer
stock offers a good sensation of
solidity. The Franchi Affinity 3 is a
robust and reliable shotgun that isn’t
The author and Keira, a 5-year-old English setter, during the test of the new Affinity 3, afraid of the most demanding hunts
guests of the Valle di Fiordimonte hunting estate, in the province of Macerata. in insidious environments.

62 TesT shoTgun_Franchi aFFinity 3 Black Synt 20 gauge