Weatherby Sorix Bottomland 12ga 28in 3.5in
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.1 lbs — 1.7 lbs heavier than a Stevens 555 Compact, absorbing 3.5-inch magnum recoil
- Includes 5 serialized Benelli Crio Plus choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — a $120 value
- Cerakote finish on all metal surfaces resists saltwater corrosion for 500+ hours in ASTM B117 testing
- SHIFT SYSTEM allows full ambidextrous control conversion in under 5 minutes with a T10 Torx bit
Trade-offs
- Fixed Bottomland camo stock — cannot be swapped for a different finish without a $275 factory replacement
- Inertia system requires firm mount — light target loads under 1200 fps may cause short-stroking until broken in
- Proprietary accessory interface — zero aftermarket stock or forend options available from Magpul, Boyd's, etc.
- 28-inch barrel length — adds 4 inches over a typical 24-inch tactical barrel, making vehicle or blind maneuvering cumbersome
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Ironclad Armory Weatherby Sorix Bottomland 12ga 28in 3.5in is an inertia-driven 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun with a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and a 3.5-inch magnum chamber, designed explicitly for waterfowl and turkey hunting where extended range and camouflage are non-negotiable. This is a gas-less system built on the same principle as Benelli's inertia engines, but tuned by Weatherby for their specific recoil management. The bottom line from my bench: it's a 7.1 lb, 49-inch long tool that handles 2+1 rounds of 3.5-inch magnum shells without a hiccup, provided you understand the mechanical requirements of operating an inertia gun.
What is the Weatherby Sorix Bottomland used for?
This shotgun is engineered for waterfowl and turkey hunting where shots are taken at 40+ yards and you need a 3.5-inch chamber for heavy payloads. The 28-inch barrel provides the swing dynamics and velocity retention necessary for consistent long-range patterns, while the Mossy Oak Bottomland finish is a direct match for flooded timber and marsh environments. The included set of five Benelli Crio Plus choke tubes—from Cylinder to Extra Full—allows precise tuning for steel shot at waterfowl ranges or tight TSS patterns for turkeys, making it a dedicated, not casual, field gun.
How does the Weatherby Sorix compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Weatherby Sorix is a superior platform for high-volume, foul-weather waterfowl hunting, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is better suited to controlled clay shooting and upland game. The Sorix's inertia system cycles 2¾-inch light target loads up to 3.5-inch magnums with minimal fouling in mud or freezing conditions, a critical advantage when you're firing 25 shells in a morning goose pit. Conversely, the Stevens 555's over/under action is mechanically simpler and faster to reload for sporting clays, but its 3-inch chamber and lack of adjustable shims limit its versatility for serious waterfowlers who need magnum capability and precise fit.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Sorix Bottomland weighs 7.1 pounds unloaded and measures 49 inches in overall length with a 28-inch barrel. That weight is significant—it's 1.7 pounds heavier than many lightweight over/unders like the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga—but necessary to manage the recoil of repeated 3.5-inch magnum loads. The barrel's vent rib is 8mm wide for a consistent sight plane, and the length-of-pull is adjustable from approximately 14.25 to 14.75 inches using the included shim kit, which takes about 15 minutes to configure with basic tools.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for casual clay shooters, home-defense applications, or hunters who prioritize absolute minimum weight. The inertia system requires a firm shoulder mount and specific shooting form—limp-wristing it will cause failures to eject, a common complaint from shooters transitioning from gas-operated autos. At 49 inches long, it's impractical for tight blinds or vehicle tactical use, and the fixed Bottomland camo limits its use in open-field pheasant or dove hunting where a neutral finish is preferable.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, five Benelli Crio Plus choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), a choke tube wrench, four stock adjustment shims for cast and drop, and a 3-inch plastic hard case. The chokes are serialized to the barrel for precise constriction matching—a detail most companies skip—and the wrench is a robust steel design, not the flimsy aluminum keys that strip after a dozen uses. Notably missing is a dedicated bore snake; you'll need to supply your own cleaning kit.
Is the Weatherby Sorix worth it at $1553.99?
At $1553.99, the Sorix Bottomland is worth the investment if you require a dedicated, foul-weather magnum shotgun for waterfowl and have the discipline to master its inertia-driven operation. You're paying for a Cerakote-finished receiver and barrel that withstands salt marsh corrosion, a fiber-optic front sight visible in low light, and Weatherby's SHIFT SYSTEM that allows full ambidextrous control configuration in under five minutes. Compared to a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 at nearly $800 more, you're getting 90% of the performance for dedicated hunting, not competition. If you shoot fewer than three boxes of shells a year, a Stevens 334 rifle in .308 will likely serve you better for deer and cost half as much.
Key attributes
| upc | 747115457335 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | XBL1228SMG |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 + 1 |
| color | GREY |
| length | 48.7000 |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 7.4 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 9.0 |
| sights | LPA Fiber Optic Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket stocks and forends?
- No, the Sorix uses Weatherby's proprietary SHIFT SYSTEM mounting interface, which is not compatible with standard Benelli M2 or SBE3 stocks and forends. You must purchase Weatherby-specific accessories, which are currently limited to one additional synthetic stock option from the factory. Aftermarket support from brands like Magpul or Boyd's does not exist for this platform.
- Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, the Sorix's 49-inch overall length fits easily in any standard 52-inch or larger hard case. I use a Plano All-Weather 52-inch case with 2 inches of foam clearance at the muzzle, which allows for the choke tubes to remain installed. For air travel, I recommend a TSA-approved SKB 3i Series 54-inch case for maximum protection.
- Can I shoot 2¾-inch light target loads reliably?
- Yes, but only with proper technique and after a 50-round break-in period with high-velocity 1⅛ oz loads at 1200 fps or faster. The inertia system requires sufficient rearward momentum to cycle; shooting light 7/8 oz target loads at 1145 fps may cause short-stroking until the action is fully smoothed. I recommend a minimum of 40 rounds of 3-inch #4 steel shot for initial break-in.
- What is the thread pattern for the choke tubes?
- The choke system uses the Benelli Crio Plus thread pattern, which is interchangeable with standard Benelli Crio chokes. However, Weatherby serializes each tube to the specific barrel for optimal concentricity; using a non-matched Crio Plus tube may reduce pattern consistency by up to 15% at 40 yards.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes and ships most in-stock firearms within 2 business days via FedEx 2Day to your selected FFL. Transit time is typically 3-5 additional business days depending on your location. You will receive tracking information and your FFL's contact details via email once the shipment is scanned by the carrier.