Beretta or Benelli?

[MASTERS]

The real question how much will you abuse it?

If it's going to be babied, get the beretta. Heavier, less recoil.

If you want a gun that can be used as a paddle on the way to the duck blind and still shoot all day, get the Benelli.

You say that and that's what I did with my sbe2 and by the 4th bird season it became my single shot auto. Took it to Dee whitehead took it completely apart, inspected it put it back together and said sell it if it won't cycle because it looked fine mechanically. Took it to champions they gave me trade credit towards the beretta 687 silver pigeon 3. Never looked back. I got an old beater 1187 that shoots 3.5" that I use as my utility duck, dove, turkey gun now.

[topher]

Beretta!
Both are great guns but most important is to make sure it fits you.

[txpitdog]

If most of your shooting is going to be upland birds or clays also check out the Montefeltro. It's the cousin to the M2. Blue/wood, flat rib, and gorgeous where the M2 has a raised rib, synthetic stock and matte coating. Both are 3"

[RLUM]

A400 I have two and love them both. Drug them from the rice fields in Katy to late season geese and pheasant in North Dakota and never missed a beat.

[elkaholic9292]

I had cycling issues with my SBE1 until I ran a few hundred rounds of 3 1/2" magnum loads. Now it will cycle anything.

[StrayDog]

Buy a Beretta - when you get mad at the range because your expensive shotgun won't cycle cheap, thin brass ammo then I'll gladly take it off your hands for no cost to you just like I do with my buddies. Never had a problem shooting any ammo through my M2 and I clean it thoroughly every 3rd year whether it needs it or not.

They're both good guns - but gas and inertia each have their place.

[jak]

The Benelli is tough and does not require cleaning as often. We use to go down to Mexico and shoot doves. The Beretta was usually cleaned daily. The Benelli was cleaned at the end of the trip.

[shark79]

**** I'm old Been shooting a Browning Light twelve since 1971 and never missed a lick. Maybe I need to upgrade.

[BowTech2010]

I have some 7/8oz trainer loads from Fiocchi that will ruin that...my go to dove load is only 1180fps & basically a 20ga 1oz round. If you want to shoot these wimpy 12ga loads in an auto, the gas is a better choice.


I'm a benelli fan but the OP stated 'light' loads...you really can't suggest an SBE for this application. Dove loads that are 3 1/4 dram will not have any issues, but these popular everyday rounds are not considered 'light'.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Cvill...yes, if you do not have the gun properly mounted it will not cycle consistently. It's inertia driven & the free recoil keeps the spring from compressing completely.

I've shot em before without trouble. Granted I'm talking about the original SBE which imo shoots and feels better than the SBEII.

Beretta felt like I was shouldering a 2x4. Also OP I know you didn't mention it but the new A5 is sweet. I bought the 3 1/2 model as soon as it came out. I swith between the 2 and enjoy shooting both of them.

[Sleepy]

Hell, go with the Beretta Outlander. Save you lots of coin and it's just as good as either of the 2 you listed. I had an SBE II for 4-5 years and shot lots of birds with it. While I never had a FTF (except when it fell and the chamber got packed with snow), my Beretta Outlander is just as good. Unless you just WANT to by one of the high dollar ones, I'd go for the Outlander and use the rest you had planned for the more expensive ones and buy you a a new rifle or something.nthats how much you'd save and you'll get equal performance.

[1shot]

**** I'm old Been shooting a Browning Light twelve since 1971 and never missed a lick. Maybe I need to upgrade.

Dont fix what ain't broke

[csmith936]

I've been debating the same thing for that past few months myself......I think it's going to end up like a Ford/Chevy debate lol

[Artos]

I've shot em before without trouble. Granted I'm talking about the original SBE which imo shoots and feels better than the SBEII.

Beretta felt like I was shouldering a 2x4. Also OP I know you didn't mention it but the new A5 is sweet. I bought the 3 1/2 model as soon as it came out. I swith between the 2 and enjoy shooting both of them.

I'm speaking from my own experience...most folks do not shoot what I consider light dove loads. Any max dram load that the majors put out for dove season are NOT light dove loads and will cycle fine.

I personally don't like autos for dove / whitewing as I do not like to pick up shells and nothing beats an over under for that type. (I shoot a 20+yr old Beretta 682) Autos are made for quail & waterfowl I shoot / collect the early M1's, which I consider the best ever Benelli auto made.

Having said that, more than one outfitter from Mexico & Argentina have told me that the original Beretta 390 was the only gun that could not be destroyed. The gas system is so well balanced that you can only shoot 4 shells with the plug out. It's an awesome weapon.

We can go back and forth but fit is much more important than flavor...my Dad shoots Browning O/U's and I can't hit anything...he is the same with Beretta's. Only gun we both have done well with is his Blazer.

[Browning2008]

I've been debating the same thing for that past few months myself......I think it's going to end up like a Ford/Chevy debate lol

More than likely, but I'm gathering some good information. I haven't had a chance to go handle both yet, but plan on doing that Friday. It's looking like it will probably come down to which one fits better. I don't hardly ever shoot 1 oz. loads. Was just using that as an example since my Stoeger will only shoot Winchester AA 1 1/8 ounce. trying to be able to shoot some of the 10,000 reloads I have. Thanks to everyone who has given me their input.

[DRT]

I went Beretta.