Thanks for the info Stalkingbear, that is why I am leaning strongly towards the Benelli SBEII. The only thing standing in my way is that price tag!! The slug gun is $1730, and add another $500+ for the field barrel.

I have the Benelli M2. It is just the 3 inch model, but it is cheaper than the SBEII. I don't have the slug barrel, but I love that gun!! I will neverown another brand ofsemi-auto shotguns. I have never had a jam and you don't have to clean it as regularly as you do a gas operated shotgun.

Good Luck with your choice!!!
Pheasantfanatic

I was looking at the M2 also, which seems like a awesome gun as well. It helps to hear from people who own these guns, and it seems Benelli owners have one thing in common, they love their shotgun and that is important!

If you have a Gander Mtn around, see if they have any of the Beretta Xtrema slug guns left over. A buddy in INdiana got one for $899, then bought a 28" barrel for birds and rabbits. Not a bad combo for that level of gun.
I had the slug barrel when I lived in Indiana. I got rid of it when I moved back to Texas. My slug gun liked the Remington Hammerheads and the Copper solids. At 100 yards, I was getting groups of 1.5" and a smidgen less.

Darn right!!!!

I have a Browning hunter gold with fiber optic sights and absolutely love the gun... I don't have a rifled barrel for it, but have shot slugs through it very accurately. It's a blast to use on skeet/trap and have taken many a quail and rabbit with it as well...

http://www.mauser.org/shotguns/sabre/index.htm

Bbear, 1.5 is a darn good group with a slug gun! Currently, I am using a Mossberg 835 with a 24in fully rifled barrel equiped with a Nikon Pro Staff scope. After shooting nearly every kind of sabot manufactured, I am really disspapointed in the groups I was getting from the gun, soI'vedecided to get rid of the rifled barrel and only use the gun for turkey hunting, and that is why I am looking for a new slug gun.

The main thing I'm looking for is a gun that groups well, and cycles fast! I know that slug guns are not known for producing consistent and tight groups, however, if I can find one that will give me a consistent group 2in or less, I will be very happy!

I've pretty much narrowed it down to aBennelli, Berretta, orWinchester SX3.

Not that it matters as 99% of shooters can't take advantage of thecycling speed of any auto loader. The Winchester SX2/SX3 are the fastes cycling models.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/features/detail.asp?ID=72

http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/video/1442sx3.wmv

For your money, you might be better off getting a gun like the Mossberg 695 for you slugs and a semi auto for your other uses. Price wise would be pretty close or less and accuracy would be better.

clean a benelli then clean a gas gun .
benelli wins hands down.
not to mention how nice they shoot and swing