Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

I am looking at an all purpose shotgun and am leaning towards the SBE II (yes, more expensive than what I would need to spend for my purposes, butI am30 and planto getmany years ofuse from it beforepassingit ontomy son).I will mainly use it for Turkey, but would like to be able to use it for any shotgun need, including trying out sporting clays and joining friends for the occational fowl hunting trip. The gentleman at the sporting goods store implied the SBE II may have difficulty cycling lighter loads. Is there any one that uses or has tried a SBE II with lighter target loads that can report on the performance of cycling?

If target loads would be problematic, and I still wanted to use a SBE II what is the lightest load that would cycle well and on average what would be the differance in cost for an evening of shooting sporting clays? (If I only shoot a few times a summer the extra cost of using more expensive shells may not be that much of a factor.)

I appreciate your shared experiences.

J

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

I have shot 7/8 oz loads with no problem. You ma need to shoot a few boxes of heaveir loads to break in the SBE II

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

I would contact Benelli and ask them. http://www.benelliusa.com/

Personally, if you want to shoot target loads, buy a target gun. A 3 1/2" gun is used mainly with hunting weight loads, and since that gun is recoil operated, there might not be enough force to operate the action with shooting target loads.;)

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Cycling light target loads can be a problem with inertia driven guns like the Benelli's. I have proven this to several people at the trap club time and time again, my gas driven Beretta's cycles my very light trap loads while the Benelli will choke.
Other than that the Benelli auto'shave a great reputation for being a great gun. It sounds like you are going to have to find a happy medium, yes one gun can do all but one gun cant do everything equally.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

wouldnt let it hold you back from buyinga sbe I or II, my super black eagle Iwill cycle target loads of 1 1/8 just fine; it does take a little time to break them in. you cant buy a better shotgun.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

No doubt you can handload a 7/8's load too light to cycle an SBE, one can make any round to cycle any gun. I have not found a storebought one that didn't work, things like the Remington Gun Club promo rounds work really well. A 1oz/ 2 3/4 or 3 dram load will work all day long. Since they are recoil operated, make sure the gun is planted in your shoulder with light loads or it will loose some inertia. Also, I've seen some trouble in really cold weatherwith light loads, this is generally cause by someone using the wrong oil or too much, especially in the recoil spring tube.

Are they a do everything gun, Nope! But what is. Does your 30-06 do everything, how about that .40 Glock, Nope. They make different guns and bullets for different things and I don't see why anyone would think a shotgun should be different. If you are wondering about the reliability of the Benelli, take a look at the Dove shoots in South America. Most of the semiauto guns being used are Benelli or Beretta and they shoot thousands of rounds in a few days.

Doug

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

The only issues I have seen with the SBE or the SBE IIs is with the super light low recoil loads. I have seen two that would not consistantly work with light 1oz loads, but if you step it up to a heavy dove/handicap AA load, you should have no issues. I have seen gas operated 3.5" jam up with target loads much more frequently than the Inertia guns, but just about any 3.5" will occasionally have an issue or two with the really really light stuff. If you want a gun that will never jam, I would recommend an Over/Under...:D The gas guns accumulate fouling much in excess of the Inertia guns. After a box or two, this can really slow down the action due to friction caused by the fouling. When you have a super light load, those gas guns start to hang up. I have seen it in the 1187 Supermags, even with 3" loads, they seem to have the most problems. The Extremas are good, and the Golds are a close second, but will hang up after a box or two of the light stuff. Just part of the ball game. Unless you direly want/need a 3.5" for turkeys (which is the only thing I use a 3.5" for) then I would consider the M2 or Montefeltro instead of the SBE II. Will save you some money, and the 3" models will digest anything.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Benelli guarantees that a 3 dram 1-1/8 ounce load (heavy field)will cycle their SBEII. Anything lighter and you are on your own. And this will go right out the window if you install a mercury recoil reducer in the stock or do any other modifications to the gun to reduce recoil. The SBEII requires recoil in order for it to work.

I have trouble shot several SBEII's and almost every time one wouldn't cycle I found out they were using light target loads and/or had modified their gun in some way to reduce recoil.

If you want a gun that will work on the target line then don't get a SBEII and expect it to perform like askeet gun cause it likely won't.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Another thing is to shoot only shells with a smooth finish instead of the lil raised ribs.

Pretty much everything else has been covered on this thread.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

I shoot 3 1/8 to 3 1/4 dram loads through both my Benelli M1 and SBE II withoug problem. They recommend not using "light" loads, because the interia system does required a certain amount of recoil to function properly. Benelli also recommends in the user manual to shoot the first 4 to 5 boxes of "standard" load (heavier) for the break in period, before you, if you choose, go to something a little lighter.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Unless you absolutely have to shoot 3.5" shells, I would go with a Benelli Super 90. I have had one since 1995 and have shot THOUSANDS of rounds through it without a hiccup. Several years ago, I got heavy into skeet and sporting clays and loaded the lightest 7/8 oz loads that I could due to volume shooting, and they cycled fine in my gun. I have friends that shoot Super Black Eagles and love them, but some SBE's are a little finicky on light loads. My Super 90 will cycle anything from 3" magnum buckshot to super light 7/8 oz target loads.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

x2 what he said. No use for a 3.5" unless you are plannin on shooting some long range Turkeys. Stell 3.5" gives no advantage over 3"

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

I would like to add that I prefer the older M1 Super 90 and SBE's over the M2 and SBEII's. All of my Benellis are H&K imports and will take a 4th shell while plugged. This is just a personal preference, but I thought I would mention it.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Why would you want to put four in when it's plugged for three? The ones made after H&K can also have a forth slipped under the bolt, it wasn't until the last half of the SBE run that Benelli "fixed" it so only three would fit.

Doug

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Doug
You appear to be more experienced with the "4th shell" guns than me, which surprises me that you would ask why. My answer to that is why not? I am not a big waterfowler, but I don't understand plugging a shotgun anyway. As long as I don't shoot over the limit, why not allow an extended magazine? Waterfowl laws are the main reason that I am not more into it. I hunted waterfowl alot as a kid when lead shot was legal and the "point system" was still in effect, but there are too many "rules" in that game today for me. I actually have private access to several miles of river in NW Oklahoma right next to a refuge, and the duck and geese are THICK! My Dad, brother, and youngest son go quite often and kill a limit every time, but it is just not my cup of tea.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

UPDATE!
My son's SBE came in yesterday, and I tried it this morning. I want to note that it is a "used" gun, but I am not sure how much. I tried some 3 3/4 dram high brass shells that cycled fine, but the 3 1/4 dram 7/8 oz "target loads" would not cycle at all. That was all the ammo that I had handy, but I intend to try a wider range of ammo to see exactly where the gun quits functioning.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

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

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Doug
It may be an ammo problem. This afternoon I tried the 3 1/4 dram in my Super 90, and it wouldn't cycle in it either. I am going to try some Remington Premiers tomorrow and see if the SBE will cycle them.

I was against my son buying the SBE, but it was mostly his money (I had to front him some). He did get a "good deal" on it though. The gun is camo and has some "rub marks", but it is smooth as glass when you manually work the bolt.

I have had a stainless Sure Cycle tube in my Super 90 for years. I installed it after having to work on my cousin's Super 90 with a rusted up, gummed up cycle tube. I figured I would change mine before I had a problem.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Ahh, I see you know about them and Benelli's. I always liked the Super 90's, main reason I went with the SBE was the 3.5" buckshot I could use. With buckshot, more is definately better and after cutting the forcing cone and a bunch of patterning, this SBE is outstanding with buckshot. I bought that Supersport IIused but in "as-new" condition for 800.00, some guy at my range shot it and fell in love with it so I sold it to him for a small profit, it was a nice gun but I have enough autos.

If you don't mind, what is a used SBE going for these days? (not that I'm gonna part with mine)

Also, have you ever shot a Montefeltro, 20guage?

Doug

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

Doug
Have you tried a PatternMaster choke with buckshot? I used a modified for years, but I have tightened my pattern a considerably using a PatternMaster. I LOVE buckshot and have killed quite a few deer using it, but I am mainly a rifle-man.

I owned a Montefeltro 20 ga several years ago, but I didn't keep it long. I shot a few rounds of skeet, but like you, I found someone that wanted it more than me. I used to be a hard core gun trader and have owned 9 Benellis including a couple of Sports, but the SBE that my son has is the first one ever in my safe. I have owned 13 Beretta O/U's, and my Dad keeps the one that I have now. It is a english stocked model Onyx. My Dad wants to buy or trade for it, but I am keeping this one. I still do some buying and selling, but I am more into Blaser rifles right now. At $2000-3000 per gun, I have my "play" money pretty well tied up.

My son found the SBE on Gunbroker, and it was a pretty good deal. We gave $780 shipped. Most are running at $900+/- for a black gun on the used market. My son's is a "newer" BenelliUSA camo model.

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

LOL, this is getting funny, sorry to hyjack the thread. We seem to be living parrallel lives. I too have gone through a bunch of scatterguns, autos and various Citoris. I'm semi-retired now and my play money is in retirement stuff but I still collect vintage Winchesters, 73's and 92's-they add up $$quick enough.

I did everything I could think of to keep the 20ga Monte, a real sweet gun but it just didn't fit me and my scores showed it-(not enough drop in the stock).

RE: patternmaster& buckshot; Oh yeah, it sure does work for me. When I first started working up the SBE for buckshot I went to cabelas and purchased a variety of chokes including the Patternmaster-(they take anything back). I then patterned the gun with all the available 3.5" loads and chokes on hand. I had one that was pretty good(not the patternmaster)but I wanted better so I sent the bbl out to Brileys to get the cone cut and polished. To my horror, when I got it back my good combination was now worse and I had to start over-(3.5" shells fired from the bench are painful). I retried the Patternmaster and with the forcing cone work it was astonishing, (<24" @ 60 yards, consistantly-Federal Prem 00). Not one deer has run through that gun.

We are shotgun only and I mostly used slugs. With all the housing starts around here we are hunting on smaller woodlots and I'm affraid of a slug bouncing off the frozen ground. So, I use buckshot when it gets cold. Nothing I have seen puts deer on the ground quicker than a good load of buckshot, from a gun that patterns it well and shooter who knows how to use it within it's range limitations. I'm sure you've heard things like, "why spent 1K+ on an SBE when you can get others for alot less", I know my buddies used to tease me about how much I have tied up in mine. Funny thing, two of them now have the exact same setup and their Golds and Rems are collecting dust in the safe. One of them bought a black SBE last year locally and paid 850, it works well but it been used hard and put up wet.

Doug

RE: Benelli SBE II and 2 3/4 target loads?
 

R/man

Thought I'd show you this one, I tracked this deer all day and finally snuck up on it, if you look directly back up the hill you can see a narrow lane in the briars, it's about 50 yards to the top. I shot this deer from up there and could only see it's head and upper neck, there were six holes in it's head, two more in the ears and another knicked the antler. That is a pretty tight pattern. I know it's only a spike but when I'm hunting from the ground and tracking them -(late season)- I'm not all that particular.

Doug