mudhen

Just start taking parts out I recall you remove the black clip (of sorts) and that is what holds the comb into place.

The longer the barrel, the better the pattern. Folks can say their 21's & 24's pattern the same as 26's and 28's, but in most cases, this is simply not true. Extensive patterning will show the difference. Steve Conover, who wins more still shoots than most, has proven this over and over with many brands of firearms. I shoot a 26" bbl SBE II, but sometimes I wish I had a 28" for turkey. But, one has to ask themselves what do they really need? If your shots tend to be short, like 35 yards and in, then barrel length is really not an issue. But if you need the occasional long range, a long barrel with throw a better pattern a longer distance. My SBE II completely falls apart at 40 yards and beyond. This can be tough to deal with when I am on a trip and the only shots are longer than I'm used to. I'll stick with the 26" bbl SBE II for now, but I'm always looking for a better pattern.

Four seasons and counting:

Having never read a Benelli manual, I have no suggestions for improvements or additions. mudhen

You could add up my five shortest kills this year and still be under 42 yards. I live for birds up close

If you want to keep 'smacking' turkeys out to 55 yards, I suggest you do not buy an SBE II. Stick with the blunderbuss that has been serving you so well thus far. Benellis are underbored and generally cannot hold a patttern tight enough long enough to ensure regular 'smackage' out to 55 yards. I have a 10 gauge Browning pump with a 3 oz Nitro Hevi Shot load that I use for long range 'smackateering'. My SBE II shoots exactly where I want it to for turkeys, just a bit high. I can then aim at the base of the neck and hopefully the pattern with hit right in the head and neck area.

I don't see a 10 gauge semi-auto Benelli happening anytime soon. A 10 gauge semi would require just about 100% new parts as little would interchange with the 12 gauge. If 10's sold like 20's, then I'd think Benelli would be more likely to create a brand new gun. But maybe a 10 gauge Nova could happen? Cheaper to make for sure. I'm guessing the demand for 10 gauge is almost non-existant when compared to the demand for 20's and 12's. I own and shoot a 10, but I think in general, it's a dying gauge....

Yes, several each year. I don't shoot them though. mudhen

Return a gun for a $.10 part that he probably tore himself by picking at it? You are an idiot SX3? Check the used gun racks - they are loaded with SX3's. Browning must be paying those Portagees an extra few Euros to get them to fit and finish the Silvers better. I like the Silvers and SX3's, but they can't hold an SBE II's sweaty p-stained jock strap......

It does compress a bit where it fits against the bolt. They sell new ones at Brownells. I oil them up just a bit so they don't tear as much.

In English please? After a few clicks in 1990, the first year of Benelli ownership for me, I just learned how to properly operate my firearm. I've had maybe 2-3 Benelli clicks in the past 18-19 or so seasons. In that time, I've had maybe 50+ mis or non fires from various other firearms and brands of ammo. Lots of things are given 'names' just for ease in discussing.

I agree with everything Tucker has already posted. The problem is simple, the bolt is not properly going into battery. If you say it is, absent a broken part, you are probably mistaken. Absent a broken or improperly fitted part, a Benelli, with the bolt properly in battery, with a live shell in the chamber, goes bang when you pull the trigger. Period. I suspect operator error. I suspect the bolt is being bumped out of battery by the user. It is also possible that the bolt cannot go into proper battery due to a build up of crud in the recessed area where the extractor must rest to ensure full battery. The two most common hunting groups that complain of the dreaded Benelli click are deer hunters and turkey hunters, both groups tending to prefer to gently close the bolt to reduce noise. There is no need to 'slam' home a Benelli bolt though. Keep the area clean and lightly lubricated and the bolt will have no trouble closing properly. I would love to see Benelli add a notch or something to indicate the location of the extractor when the bolt is properly closed. I can only say right now that the proper location appears to be just above the point where the extractor would be pointing right down the gun. 2:00 o'clock if you will. Note, there have been issues of improperly fitted parts in some Benellis. I recall issues where the shell carrier is off center and causing feeding and lock-up problems. Certainly contact Benelli CS if you cannot fix the problem yourself. Good luck!

I'm done for the year. I could keep going up north, but I'm pretty happy reaching double digits again, so I'll just call it a good season. I'll be hunting Idaho and/or Oregon in 2009 almost for sure though to take advantage of the later seasons

Do you have a standard SBE? If so, PM with your shipping address and I'll send some spare factory flush tubes to you. I think I have IC, M, maybe others. I've got a box of tubes I don't use.

Sad to see it end The SBE II had a great season. It saved the best for last. Hard hunt. West Texas. The birds were crabby and not in the mood to be kilt. The weather was poor to boot. Food was great though. Texas BBQ is super in my chubby opinion. Very happy to bag this bird. At 42 yards, it was my only shot this year over 30 yards. Actually, it was one of only three shots over 25 yards this year.

All work and no play makes mudhen a dull boy.... (Edit - the gun is loaded because the hunt is still on at this point)

Nice work Tucks. Sorry I tried to get you banned

1.5" on the larger spur:

Nice work I really think those XR's are worth the price for the punch they pack. Were the spurs sharp or rounded? If they look like candy corns, he was probably two.

I was just thinking about that the other day as I was sitting in the turkey woods. The camo finish on my SBE II seems to be holding up pretty well after about four seasons. A few chips here and there. A little DEET bug spray damage I did myself, but otherwise, it's holding up fine. I just use a damp cloth to wipe off mud and blood. I do use a regular gun rag that might have some solvent on it, but it does not appear to be doing any damage.

I only use #6's in heavy shot types of shells. I don't trust #6's in lead except at shorter ranges. I now don't even trust H-13 #6's at longer ranges after slapping a tom at 45 yards last weekend. I think the 1090 fps is not enough for longer ranges. If I had to pick a single shell, it would still be XR 6's. But, XR 5's are not far behind.

I didn't see where you posted all that for any one specific person's benefit I presumed that it was for anyone who read it to benefit from, otherwise why would you post it? I'll repeat what I said before; a Benelli claim vs. an Internet Wizard's claim, I know which one I am going with each time

As a general rule, I can't imagine anyone saying they actually prefer to hunt turkeys in the rain every day. While I have shot a few in the rain, they are not generally a rainy day type of critters. I see many hunched under trees in the rain. One day in Iowa, I saw 9 very large toms all under one maybe 20 foot tall oak tree. All bunched up competing for what little dry space they could find. My success in the rain has generally been right off the roost type of action. Hard gobbling birds that were just ready that particular day. You pretty much have to get to them before they go out in the fields for their own protection. Get close early, and then maybe wait them out in the truck until you get some clearing. I don't love hunting them in the rain, but I've never had rain make me miss even one day in the field. mudhen