Benelli or Beretta? That is the question.

[SpiceKnob]

Ok, I'm about to breakdown and got top shelf on a new semi-automatic shotgun. But I'm getting conflicting reports. The new Beretta Xtrema 2 or the Benelli Super Black Eagle II - Comfortech. I hunt everything from longbeards, and greenheads to dove and pheasant...hmmmm. I know the actions are identical. But what else do I need to know. Let's hear it.

[Dev]

I've only had Benelli shotguns and have only one complaint. When it gets almost unbearably cold during duck season my gun wouldn't fire. It only happened a few times, but still...it happened. I was in the same boat a few weeks ago and a friend of mine has both and said the SBE II is the only way to go. He says the berettas freeze up way to much and aren't very reliable in cold weather. So I purchased a new SBE II last weekend. I love it. Handles all loads like it should. Hopefully I can get a few + good years out of it. Cause thats how long the check book is gonna be hurting! SBE is the only way to go.

[SpiceKnob]

Thanks pal. As it stands I'm two for Benelli and two for Beretta.
I was hoping for an overwhelming margin. It might be a Chevy vs Ford thing.
Thanks anyway.

[Dev]

Ford all the way. :)

[killer]

I had a SBE for 5 years, and killed alot of everything that moved. The only time the gun ever failed me was on a Dec. float trip. About 8 degrees. What seemed like 1,000,000 ducks. Needless to say, I was aggrivated so I sold it, and got a pump. But if I had to pick between the two guns I would go SBE!

[WBBP]

SBE II, no contest

[C.L.Button]

I am a Beretta man.

HOWEVER while at the Grand American, I looked at one of those new Browning Cinergy's. It has an adjustable comb, external chokes, and is ported. That was the Sporting Model. The Field model is less money and not ported. I am considering selling my 686 and buying one. :eek:

It costs more than the Beretta, but so is the gun.
Just my 2 cts worth.

[Gobblergetter2.1]

Benelli, no question. Finest shotguns out there IMO.

[maxcam]

SBE II, no contest


K,

Is there anything that we can agree on? My Berretta will out shoot your SBE II write it down.........Ill bet a Gun season opener for crossbows on it......:D

Actually there isnt much difference in the performance of the two.....but I do like the way the SBE loads.......

The biggest difference I see is the weight between the two......MY Berretta seems to be a bit heavier than the SBE.......Which can be a good thing or a bad thing..........

Both are quality shotguns and arent your daddys 1100. I think we can both agree on that........;)

[WBBP]

Maxcam: I am basing this on my SBE I, which was recently stolen :mad: I also recently shot a II, which I like even better-I will have one soon BTW. Everything considered, the SBE II will have a higher resale value than the Beretta in a year or 2.

Stay out of the glycol ethers, especially those that have a high vapor pressure....... :eek:

K

[ducknbuckhunter]

both top of the line, but just take a look at my av and u know what i shoot

[RDL270]

Berretta owns Benelli and Franchi and Stoeger......I'd try to shoot them all before I made a decision. Look at the Franchi I 12, same benelli action with 1/3 the cost. But all said and done, I shoot all three, berretta semis and O/U, Benelli pump and a Franchi O/U......its what fits you what you like and what you want to shell out (no pun intended). A gun that fits you shoots better then a high dollar one that don't. Its the shooter not the engraving that breaks the targets........so I'm told anyway.LOL. But my motto is life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.

And Carter if you trade your 686 for a Cynergy, your nuts........look at Shotgunworlds website and the issues Browning owners are having with them. They already had one recall on them.

[C.L.Button]

OK, THANKS Roger.

Maybe I will keep the 686 and sell Katie instead !!! Problem is I would have to give a refund check in about 36 hrs !!! :D

I still like that gun. I will look into the recall deal. :eek: Thanks,,,,

[RDL270]

You better not sell Katie, she's the best cook in training you got. I think your and the boys are jealous cause she's outshooting you........and me too...lol. But if you want to get rid of her, send her over my way, one more daughter wont' bother me any.

R.

[C.L.Button]

Her bags are packed,,,, :D

[mmayes]

I have shot a SBE since 97 and have never had any problems out of the gun even in extremely cold and extremely muddy conditions. For those that have had freeze ups I would suggest trying different lubes to correct that problem. I have had the gun have a hickup now and then on ultra light loads and that was mainly because I didn't have the gun to my shoulder.

The biggest difference I see between the SBE and Xtrema is the Xtrema is a gas gun thus more maintence intensive, heavier a (+/-) depending on how you look at it, and the grip is not small hand friendly though I think on the Xtema II that has been addressed. Benelli inertia can have problems cycling light loads, lighter, less maintenence intensive.

Mayes