The new for 2025 Weatherby Element II in 12 gauge has the features added in the Element II 20 gauge. The safety is slightly larger and easier to get off, the charging bolt and the bolt release are oversized, and the magazine tube now accepts aftermarket extensions. The “competition cut” receiver makes this shotgun easy to load, just as in the 20 gauge Upland. This 28 inch barreled 12 gauge weighs 7 lbs. 5.2 oz. 

The .725 inch bore barrel is threaded for “Crio Plus” style chokes, as opposed to the original Element's standard Invector (Winchoke) shorter choke tubes. Three are supplied, two flush and one extended.

In 2016, I reviewed an Element Waterfowler: https://chuckhawks.com/weatherby_element_12.html . That gun had a 6-1/4 lb. Trigger. This new Element II Tungsten has a far better trigger, breaking at about 5 lbs. Again, this model has a tool-free mainspring removal using a castellated nut-- no smoke wrench required, a terrific addition. Street price on this model is $645, with the plain black synthetic at $595.

This gun ate 1 oz. 1250 fps loads out of the box with no issues whatsoever. Weatherby's warranty is now 5 years on their Element line. The Cerakote is well-applied; the buttstock has a rubber cheekpiece molded in. As before, the only area that perplexes me is the odd-ball concave recoil pad. It is not an easy pad to replace with your favorite aftermarket pad. Though the factory vented pad is adequate, it is far from the best in my view.

This Element II Tungsten shoots to point of aim, 50 / 50, just like the 20 gauge, a very good thing. It really is hard to kick much about value, for starting at $595 street, $645 for this Tungsten cerakote model, in 2025 it is a lot of panache for the cash. Add in the 5 year warranty, Weatherby's excellent customer service, and it is winner. Waterfowlers looking for a bit higher end gun with a reversible safety, or a 3-1/2 inch model might want to check out the Italian-made Weatherby Sorix as well.

I hear it all the time: "Why did I marry you, why didn't I listen to my mother, and why did I buy this Turkish jam-o-matic from a fly-by-night brand? The Weatherby Element has already been proven successful for ten years, with Weatherby still family operated after 80 years, you'll find this Element II to be a solid workhorse at a bargain price.