Retrieverman,

You are right, I do have alot of Benelli experience, I've had an SBE since they first came out,and a Supersport II-(recently sold that one to someone who wanted it more than me). My original SBE is my main 5stand gun and on Sunday mornings we practice what we call 'lightning rounds". The machine ordersare prearranged and and once the first stand shoots, the puller just keeps fireing the machines in order, the shooters just keep shooting in turnuntil their guns are empty-tons of fun and really fast action. I found the SBE a little light so I handloaded two shells full of just shot and inserted them infront of the mag spring which I shortened, effectively I permanently plugged it for three rounds but added 6oz. to the gun-(I also use it with buckshot for deer and 3's our limit). But for lightning rounds I often sneak in the forth so as to get the last shot in.

Like you, I have not shot waterfoul since lead shot went out and the rest of the regs went nuts. I play by the rules and if I don't like the rules i just don't play.

edit: Are you familliar with the bolt spring tube in the Stock? You might want to take that apart and clean it out real well(I run it almost dry). If someone over lubed it or put the wrong stuff in there it will mess up with light loads. That load you mentioned should work. There is an aftermarket stainless one you can install that is suposed to be better but I have not seen the need. Mine cycles 1oz/3dram loads fine so dropping down to 7/8's and up 1/4 dram should still be OK, or very close to it.

Doug