An age old debate: Shotgun Choice

[WhiteRubi]

So I've been toying with the idea of buying a new shotgun. It originally started during early dove season. My 870 was having issues ejecting spent shells and of course the speed issue of shooting a pump. With a new found interest in waterfowl hunting, my interest in a new shotgun has only become more intense.

As of now I'm really looking at the Beretta Xtrema II w/KO and the Benelli SBE II. I'm open to other suggestions but would REALLY like to hear the good and bad of the above mentioned guns. Looking at camo for both guns, 26" barrel.....

I will most likely be getting rid of a my .300 Sendero as that will free up more than enough money. It does NOTHING for me anymore as I don't hunt with it. Anybody need an AWESOME long range tactical setup? :D

[Beretta-fan]

When I bought my Xtrema 2 I had it narrowed down to the same 2 guns that you have. I was lucky enough to be able to shoot both guns in hunting situations before I bought one. Either gun will do the job but for me the Beretta just felt better. It came to my shoulder better and just seemed to be on target without much effort on my part. The Benelli felt lighter and thinner but I had to work a little more to get on target, could've just been the way the gun was set up. My friend has some trouble out of it during really cold outings, it doesn't want to cycle.
I have had some issues with the Xtrema 2. It is in the shop now because of misfires. For some reason the firing pin isn't striking the primer hard enough to set the shell off. I don't know if the problem with my gun is an isolated problem or if it is more than that, I haven't heard of anyone else having this problem. Just something for you to look into before you decide.
Let us know what you decide.

[Fat Tony]

If I was into waterfowling, could afford a little extra $$, and didn't need to have a mercedes in my driveway, I'd look at picking up an 1187. Used since they hold up so well. Great duck gun year in and year out.

If was looking for something versitile and economical to hunt turkey, deer, small game and waterfowl, I'd stick with one of the pump combo barrel packages for less than $300 from Remington or Mossberg. Its what I've done for years after I retired my Sweet 16 and couldn't be happier. Performs very well, gives you plenty of options, keeps a bunch of $$ in your pockets and you won't cry when you drop it in the water or scratch it up in a briar patch.

[WBall]

while I don't have any first hand experenice with the extrema, my 391 takes twice as long to clean as my beneils do. The gas system on the bretta should help out has far as recoil, but the beneil is a little lighter for carrying. I guess pro's and con's with both. Probaly can't go wrong with either. Good luck William

[WhiteRubi]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I've heard "rumors" of the Benelli not cycling 2 3/4" shells well. I've also read that the Benelli is more reliable in cold, damp weathers as the inertia system is less complicated than that of a gas gun (beretta).

Keep 'em coming guys. Still not sold on either. Both feel great to me and point well. I was able to fondle both at Sportsmans today and really liked both. The guy at the counter said they don't sell anywhere neadr the number of Beretta's that they do Benelli's.

[xtrema2]

About the onlt difference I have found is the benelli kicks alot harder than the xtrema2. As far as cleaning them I find it takes about the same amount of time on both guns if done right. I've had my xtrema2 for about 4 years and only had one problem out of it. When we were in Arkansas duck hunting the first year I had the gun, I went to change chokes and when I took the ic choke out of the barrel it was cracked length ways. I called beretta and they sent me another by the end of the week no questions asked. In my opinion thats good customer service. I haven't had a problem since. I duck and goose hunt mostly and have never had any cycling troubles at all no matter how cold it is. Another thing I love is that it will shoot the lightest 2 3/4" shells up to the heaviest 3.5" without a problem and not having to change o-rings or make any adjustments to the gun.

[D-buck]

why not check out the winchester super X2...i have one that i got not long after they came out....have shot a few thousands rounds through it..everything from light 2 3/4 to heavy 3 1/2's and never a problem. it points well shoulders easily and hits where i point it..... as for their customer service i haven't a clue becuase i have never had to use it. not sure if you can still buy a new X2 or not but i do know when i bought mine they were about $300.00-$400.00 cheaper than the benellis and berettas. i haven't had any dealings with the new X3 have heard some guys love it some think the X2 is better...guess just a personnal choice....will say that the X3 seems alot faster.....but thats just advertising not first hand experience.....one last note....i hear that the guy that shoots for winchester...patrick flanigan.....says he has shot something like 200,000 plus rounds through his X3 with no problems...good luck and let us know what you choose

[slipped cork]

I would personally try to find a very good browning a-5 magnum preferrably beljan made.:) I have a beretta whitewing o/u and love it.

[RDL270]

I shoot the xtrema 2 and the only issue I have with it, is that its hard to insert shells in the magazine.

Xtrema is not as hard to clean as my 390.

SBE II, 2 buddies of mine have them I hunt with several times in the field cycling issues make them one shot wonders. But I do like the way they shoulder and they do feel lighter.

One thing they told me about th xtrema I hadn't thought of..... as big as the stock is you can always use it for a boat paddle;) if you have engine problems on your duck boat.

Shot them both and get the one that fits you better. About the same price range. Both are good guns.

[Scott7m]

My dad bought me a browning citori over and under a while back.... it's probably no good for waterfowl,which i never knew anyone in ky did that until i came here.

but it's the best fitting gun i've ever seen,you just throw it up and it's lik boom your there, it's easy.. first time i shot it i went 25 in a row on skeet...

[labwild]

I have an Xtrema (not Xtrema2). My shotgun has the recoil pad that can easily be changed with a regular screw driver. This is helpful when you need less LOP when wearing heavy clothing. I have had no issues with this gun. I got this shotgun to replace an 1187 supermag. The supermag did a better job of reducing felt recoil.

[killer]

I have had 2 SBE's and liked them both, but sold them for a profit. I currently have a 1187 super mag and it fits me better than anything I've picked up (I have short arms and a thick chest). I will probably hang on to this one forever. It does have problems right now cycling 2 3/4" dove loads, I'm gonna try and send it back to remington after season and see it they can make it work, Lab did the same with his and it shoots everything now. All that being said I still like the 870 super mag for reliability and even though its slower shooting that may help you pick birds out better. Sometimes guys with auto's shoot 3 times before they pick out 1 bird. No matter what you get it don't fit it ain't worth having, so unless you plan on modifiying it after you buy it you need to get one that fits from the factory.

[raktrakr]

Have you looked into the Browning line? I've always heard good things from Browning. If you decide to get shed of the 870 I might be interested:)

[ben hunting]

both guns you are looking at are great guns. find the one that fits YOU.
i love my berretta 390 gold i have put thousands of shells through her. no broke parts yet. if feeds any ammo i put in it. good luck.

[Beretta-fan]

So I've been toying with the idea of buying a new shotgun. It originally started during early dove season. My 870 was having issues ejecting spent shells and of course the speed issue of shooting a pump. With a new found interest in waterfowl hunting, my interest in a new shotgun has only become more intense.

As of now I'm really looking at the Beretta Xtrema II w/KO and the Benelli SBE II. I'm open to other suggestions but would REALLY like to hear the good and bad of the above mentioned guns. Looking at camo for both guns, 26" barrel.....

I will most likely be getting rid of a my .300 Sendero as that will free up more than enough money. It does NOTHING for me anymore as I don't hunt with it. Anybody need an AWESOME long range tactical setup? :D

Have you looked into the Browning line? I've always heard good things from Browning. If you decide to get shed of the 870 I might be interested:)

raktrakr may be on to something, check this out.

http://www.browning.com/library/infonews/detail.asp?ID=147

[C.L.Button]

raktrakr may be on to something, check this out.

http://www.browning.com/library/infonews/detail.asp?ID=147

Hmm looks like I might be adding another Browning to my stable. I'll wait a yr and make sure there are no bugs to be worked out. :cool:

[WhiteRubi]

I am certailny not one to be a guinea pig. I will not be buying a brand new gun design. If I can find a good reliable 12 gauge autoloader that cycles all 3 sizes of shells, it get a second glance.

I will be out o trade the Sendero this weekend at the guns show. If anybody is interested, last chance to get $2000 worth of .300 WinMag for a goo discounted price.

[duckslayer870]

I would have the 870 fixed. I would say that it is a very simple fix for less than 50 bucks. I have been waterfowling for 11 seasons now and I hunt pretty hard with my 870 supermag. It had one hiccup and cost me 15 bucks to fix. It has cycled cases of shells. I have friends who have auto loaders and they tend to be one shot wonders when it get rough. One is a SBE 2 and the other is an 1187. the 1187 only shoots one brand of shells b/c thats all it will eject. BTW these guys are sticklers on gun care. My 870 goes boom no matter how nasty and cold it gets. frozen water and all. BTW dont by all that 3.5 crap good 3 in shells will kill ducks dead at a range that is appropriate for ducks and geese. Any old duck hunter worth his salt will tell you you cant go wrong with an 870. If you want to part with the 870 send Me a PM

[Beretta-fan]

Speaking of pump guns does anyone know much about the new 887 NitroMag from Remington? They are supposed to be completley coated in some kind of polymer and kinda look like the Benelli Nova.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/12/20/new-pump-shotgun-from-remington-model-887-nitromag/
http://www.tgscom.com/item/158204_Remington_Rifles/Shotguns_REM_887_NITRO_122835_.aspx

[WhiteRubi]

Guys,
I'll not be getting rid of the 870 Super Mag. I like the gun and need to have a little reliability work done. The main problem for me is it kicks like a mule and only has a 23" barrel. I really want an autoloader to hunt with and the 870 for "things that go bump in the night"

It seems I get a lot of people saying they have friends that can't get Benelli's to shoot but people who actually own them, love them. I just have to wonder if it's not blind loyalty. :confused:

[johnnylightnin]

I've got a 870 Super Mag, so I didn't feel the need to go with the SBEII. I think it was about $200 more than the M2. Of course, I'm new here and don't really know how many geese I'll shoot at during KY duck hunts. In North LA (where I've done most of my hunting), we don't see that many geese. My M2 has NEVER failed to eject ANYTHING. I've shot 2 3/4 skeet loads for hours on end with no issues. Recoil is nothing compared to the 870.

I'm biased, but I LOVE my M2. It's lighter than my buddy's extrema 2 and ejects lighter loads more reliably (perfection v/s imperfection in my experience).

Rarely have I been as pleased with a purchase as I am with my Benelli.

[stalkingbear]

I can assure you that my Benelli Legacy 12 ga DOES indeed function 100% AND it handles so good it's not only made me a better wing shot, I've also introduced my wife and youngest daughter to the sport with great success using the Benelli. Benelli also offers the most extensive changable shim/fitting system of all the shotguns I've seen.

[Willie]

Tried and true... Remington 870..

[WhiteRubi]

Back to the top for more input as I WILL be purchasing something before November

On a related note, Beretta is offering a free Kick-off with the purchase of an Extrema II w/out kick-off. OR $300 worth of Beretta stuff with the purchase of an Extrema II w/ Kick-off


Soooo....what's the word guys? This needs to be a versatile shotgun, Dove to snows and canadas

[Semp]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I've heard "rumors" of the Benelli not cycling 2 3/4" shells well.

This is an old thread but here is my $.02. I have been shooting a Benelli SBE since they first came out. Never a problem of any kind. 2 3/4 shells to 3 1/2 in shells all function the same. Freezing cold duck blinds to August squirrels, makes no difference, never a problem.

The SBE II is supposed to be an improvement over the SBE but I never saw enough difference to buy a new one. The SBE II has the Comfort Tech stock. But mine works just fine.

I've never shot a Beretta so I can't comment on that gun. I don't think you will go wrong with either shotgun.

[quackrstackr]

Personal preference.

Gas operated vs inertia.

I bought the SBEII. It's lighter and is just physically smaller than the Beretta. The Xtrema felt like I was holding a railroad tie. The SBEII felt, handled and pointed a lot better for me.

[WhiteRubi]

Personal preference.

Gas operated vs inertia.

I bought the SBEII. It's lighter and is just physically smaller than the Beretta. The Xtrema felt like I was holding a railroad tie. The SBEII felt, handled and pointed a lot better for me.


Thanks Tim. I actually like the feel of the Benelli better. It seems MUCH smaller. I just have read more negative about the SBE II than the Xtrema II. I'm working on a deal as we speak on a Xtrema II w/ KO for a grand. We will see if that works out.

[quackrstackr]

I'm not sure what kind of problems people are having with them but I've fired several hundred rounds through mine from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" without any real hiccups.

The only downside that I have experienced is that the gun can come out of battery if the handle gets bumped. That's just inherent to the inertia design.

[WhiteRubi]

I'm not sure what kind of problems people are having with them but I've fired several hundred rounds through mine from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" without any real hiccups.

The only downside that I have experienced is that the gun can come out of battery if the handle gets bumped. That's just inherent to the inertia design.

I guess some are better than others at cycling light dove loads. This will be my one shotgun for now. I also have a problem spending that kind of money and it not doing what it's supposed to do.

[riverboss]

browning gold hunter.

[littletom]

Had a few high end guns. Most will give a fit here and there just being an auto. For me now would not trade a truck load of xtremas or sbe's. For my browning A5 magnum stalker.:D But your odds of finding one of these is slim. If i had to have another gun, i would start the search for a old h&k sbe 1.

[bone hunter 74]

I have had my benelli for several yrs now have shot every thing from the cheap light loads to turkey load never an ejection problem have since went with all o/u .

[turkey]

SBEII no better all around shotgun if you can afford it get you a 26" keep it oiled and clean! You will not find an all around better waterfowl, turkey, small game, and social shooting gun (trap, skeet, dove).

It is an all around gun...if I had a budget...870 no matter what...and with the new types of ammo out I would not even worry about 3 1/2 guns...

One thing I will say about the benelli...it is like a toyota truck...resale is good if you ever get into the situation that you have to get rid of it.

Recoil is another great thing on the SBEII. I have a few kids shoot turkeys with mine each year and have several students who love to shoot my gun at trap etc when we have events for them.

Overall customer service and patterns...you will find that on paper with the right choke the benelli will pattern very well with its factory tubes...all 5-6 of them you get. Benelli customer service is second to none...Never had to send the gun back but called about shells and patterns for waterfowl when I first got it...they know their gun!

Price...this is where the gun SBEII will not win but it is a life long firearm that you can have and pass on! Also it is a gun that you will be able to shoot when you get older and that is based on recoil.

Simple...the gun is simple to operate, take apart, clean, put pack together...shoot and shoulder...

Remember...when a big heavy jacket is on some guns fit a little different...and when a big heavy jacket is off some guns kick a lot harder!

Find some people with the guns you like and shoot them...one thing about it...there are lots of good guns out there now and you can not go wrong as long as you take the time to shoot them before you buy them!!!

[WhiteRubi]

Well, I picked up my Xtrema II with the Kick-off today. 26", Max4 camo. I think I'll head out tomorrow to see how it shoots. :D:D

[keith meador]

Well, I picked up my Xtrema II with the Kick-off today. 26", Max4 camo. I think I'll head out tomorrow to see how it shoots. :D:D

3.5 inch number 6's on tree rats:D Congrats on the new shotgun.

[WhiteRubi]

3.5 inch number 6's on tree rats:D Congrats on the new shotgun.

6's? Hell, I had it loaded with 3.5" T shot for tree rats.

Is Grindstone Swamp open this year?:D

[keith meador]

6's? Hell, I had it loaded with 3.5" T shot for tree rats.

Is Grindstone Swamp open this year?:D


Yep, you still have a seat with your name on it. Just waiting for the season to kick off.:D