Gun question, Benelli vs. Beretta

[Jeff]

Okay I realize this is like asking about favorite trucks/women, everyone has an opinion. I am getting real close to pulling the trigger on a new shotgun. My 11-87 is wearing out after 12 years as a push pole, and my SP-10 is starting to give my cycling problems. I need a reliable back up for geese/turkeys and also would like something I can shoot ducks with. It is also important to me that the gun eject light loads for shooting flyers while dog training (approx 25/week). If you could only buy one 3.5" automatic, what would it be? I am leaning twoards the Beretta, but am still open to ideas. I am also EXTREMELY hard on my equipment, I am a member of the goosebruce sand your gun down at the end of the season and spray it down with BBQ paint at the end of the season. Whats everyones opinion, I realize I will get about 50 different ones.

[Uncle Judd]

I wouldn't rule out Browning Gold if I were you.

[Greenhead22]

Beretta Xtrema2 in camo to help out with the saltwater rust.

Winchester now makes a Super X3, but I have not shot one. The X2, however, is the same gun as the Browning Gold Hunter, except for a few minor details.

If you decide to purchase a SBE2, go ahead and buy a sure cycle system, best advice I can give you.

[jar0023]

You're right everyone will have a passionate opinion on this. I'm no different, but I won't knock Beretta. Lots of ranges/outfitters have lots of Beretta for loaners/rentals that see lots of action. That has to tell you something. That being said I wouldn't trade my SBE for anything. Mine shoots everything from the heaviest 3.5" goose loads down to cheapie promo loads without any problems. I like the way the handles with much of it's weight between your hands. More like a good O/U and less like my old mossburg 835. The Beretta is a bigger feeling gun with more weight out in front. If you like to swing through the bird it might be for you. I hunt more in the timber where it's quick point and shoot. Both will have shims to allow you to adjust drop and cast. Buy the one that fits and feels best to you. Either way I would by a camo gun to help fight off corrosion since your on the coast. And the SBEII already has a stainless recoil spring...no need for a surecycle. I've got six seasons on my SBE and haven't sad any issues out of my recoil spring. Just push down the plunger every now and again and give it a shot of CLP. Which is basically all I ever do to my gun. If it doesn't get wet I just put is back in the gun case. If it does get wet I hose it down with CLP and let it drip dry. I usually take it all the way down for a good cleaning before and after season.

JAR

JAR

[Ducks be us]

Remington's Bakiel knock off has been getting descent reviews... The SPR 453. For the price...its disposable

[Money]

I've had the Beretta Xtrema 2 since May of 2005 and have had NO problems after 4000 rounds. Lead, steel, bismuth, tungston, etc. it don't make a dam bit a difference.

[Stano]

Sbe2 comes standard with the sure cycle according too the yahoo I spoke with at Bennelli........ I went too purchase one he said its all ready a done deal?

I bought one last year its been a good one for me except forget shooting the cheapo steel shot with sharp edge crimps.. or at least mine will hang on the last shot....

[Up2Early]

I've shot a Beretta A390 for six years now and I love it. I use it for everything except turkeys (although it did very nicely on the one I shot with it). A few things I'll recommend that will make you much happier with your final choice...

1. Buy the gun that fits you the best and/or offers the most adjustment to make it fit. Have that fit and adjustment done professionally.
2. Have the Sure-Cycle put in. It's the best $250 I've ever spent. The gun doesn't misfeed or hang - ever, no matter how dirty, wet, and cold.
3. Always store waterfowling semi-autos barrel down (recommendation from the guys at Schwan's). This lets all the gunk we get in our guns drain to places we can clean at home.
4. After every duck season, have the gun professionally cleaned to get the gunk out of the places you can't get to with even a detailed field strip. Another very well-spent $60.

That's my $0.02.
U2E

[kaustin]

"I am getting real close to pulling the trigger on a new shotgun." That statement is your best advice. Take your time and find some people with these guns, take them to a skeet range and shoot them. I like both guns you mentioned, extema II and SBE II. The SBE II just fit me and my sight plane better. I have been told by 2 different gunsmiths that anything chambered to shoot 3 1/2 shells has the potential to hang up with the very light loads. The SBE II says to shoot 3 or 4 boxes of 2 3/4 before shooting the 3 1/2 loads. They say it conditions the gun. I don't know why they could not do that at the factory, but I did it anyway. I still just don't buy the very light loads. Good luck and shoot before you buy.

[Super Black Eagle]

beretta

[Blackduck]

beretta

Now there is an oxymoron.

I must also say Beretta. I have an extema I which is a damn mule of a gun.

[Bankermane]

I have both and like them. The beretta has hung up a few times shooting 3 1/2 shells. I think it requires cleaning more often. I give the edge to SBE2. I think Extrema is coming out with a newer version this year.

[Skeeter]

I bought the Xtrema II in March and have shot a few hundred shells out of it only.....but i can say, it was by far the best hunting investment i have ever made....I LOVE IT.....and i am very, very hard on my guns...

D

[Sandy Creek]

You can't go wrong with an Xtrema 2

[Blackduck]

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=26619