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Birddog, Where can I find reliable re-loading information on Hevi-shot? Thanks.

If Benelli monitors this topic...take note: I agree with above...nix the 10 ga. idea and start production quantities of the .410!!

I bought a used '99 model and it came with all the listed parts above, except no plastic carrying case. Just the styrofoam cut-out cardboard box. However, my dad bought a new SBE last year at a large sports shop chain and it came with the plastic case. I don't know if you can draw any conclusions from this, but at least you can have a better than average chance of expecting the case to be there with your purchase. Also, it never hurts to tell them to 'throw it in with the purchase'.

I can see the advantage of the shorter barrel for tight waterfowl blind/boat situations and for hiding in blowdowns for turkey. However, the 28" does give you a longer site path for swingin' on fast moving flyers...other than that, I don't think it much matters. I use the 28" on my SBE in all situations and have never wished I had the 26". Are you going to be looking into aftermarket choke tubes for geese or turkeys? This will add length so the 26" would be a good choice.

It boils down to form, fit, function and personal opinion, but if you are looking for one "all-around" shotgun, I would go with the SBE for versatility and flexibility in all situations.

Mostly my SBE shoots 3 1/2" magnum steel shells for waterfowl, however, I did take it for pheasants once using 2 3/4" 6's....no problems. I also use it at the trap range, firing 2 3/4" 7 1/2's...again, no problems, ever. Now for my personal opinion...you will be hard-pressed to find a better all-around semi-auto.

I with you too...black synthetic, although I am thinking about having that camo dip process done on it since I'm finding myself more and more layed out in a field with geese directly above me looking down. Black is hard to cover up in a tan field! Anyway, still don't have an interest in the SBE2. In my opinion, they ruined a good thing. I am also leary about all the "systems" incorporated in the new one. Is it really that different/upgraded or is it more of a marketing ploy to increase market share?

Wingman, By the time I added the mercury dampening on my SBE with a 28" barrel, it was noticeable heavier than say, an Ithaca featherlight in 16 ga. All I was saying is that for a typical duck, goose or turkey hunt, your position is sitting for most of the day with the gun resting somewhere close. For pheasants, grouse, rabbit, etc., my personal preference is a lighter O/U or featherlight pump model where reaction times matter. I agree the SBE is comparably weighted to the Browning or X2, but given the same reasoning above, I wouldn't prefer to carry these after pheasants either. Hope that explains my position a bit better and again, these are just my preferences/opinions. Trust me, my SBE is going to the grave with me.

My SBE's soul purpose in life is waterfowling. Regarding recoil, 3 1/2" shells are all I shoot and when I pulled the trigger on the first High Velocity steel load, I was thinking, "Whoa, what the $%&* was I thinking!" That's what started my quest for reducing felt recoil. I purchased a 'limbsaver' recoil pad and replaced the stock pad. I also added the mercury filled dampening system in the butt. While shooting this combination side-by-side with a stock SBE and 3 1/2" magnum loads, there was very noticeable difference...I estimate a 30% reduction in felt recoil over stock. It definately brings it well into the tolerable range. Caution though, it does make the gun heavier, so hauling it around after bunnies all day will be felt the next day.

Dakota, That sheds some light on things, thanks. Putting "feel" and "fit" aside, practically, I think you can't beat the SBE for performance. Hands down winner over the X2, 1100/1187, and Browning Gold. I speak from experience. I owned all of these prior to my SBE and wish I would have gone the SBE route much earlier in life! The reason I like it is because of it's simplistic design. Less moving parts mean more dependable performance in the field. Recoil vs. gas operation...no comparison! In my experience, the SBE is a bit heavy in 12 gauge to tote around the fields for pheasant and rabbits all day. I've done both and it performs great, don't get me wrong, it just gets heavy by lunch. Unless your a bigger guy, it will get tiring. I like it for stationary hunting; waterfowl and turkey. Bottom line, if you only have the money for one gun, I highly recommend the SBE for an all around shotgun. Spend the money....you'll never regret it. Look for a used SBE if your not diehard desiring the SBE2. I picked mine up for $600 on an estate sale/auction, practically new and in the box!

Wow, alot of variables factor into answering this type of question. Let me ask you, what do you intend to use the gun for?

Without sounding too father-like, you need to get your feet wet before setting out on your voyage. I like the .22 rimfire suggestion. Get used to the all the safety procedures needed to properly conducdt yourself at the range first, with the chamber empty. Then start plinking. Let's not jump right to the "blow things up" stage just yet.

If you have a rifled barrel, you should shoot sabot-type slugs. Do not shoot a rifled slug through a rifled barrel or rifled choke. Only shoot rifled slugs through a smooth bore barrel with an open choke tube.

Nick, I picked up a used SBE a few years back after having my Browning Gold 3.5" freeze up every other year in 10-20 degree weather while hunting geese. If I didn't keep it emaculately clean, it would turn into a single shot. Since then, I have laid in dry, dusty rice fields of Arkansas for geese and crawled through mud at the local reservoir for woodies. That SBE just keeps asking for more. I took it for chickens (a.k.a. pheasants) at a local hunt club once and it got a bit heavy lugging it around all day, but still cycled the light 2 3/4" loads I was using that day. I plan on it being my turkey gun this year. In my mind, the SBE is the hand's down leader in the semi world. One note: If you plan on shooting a lot of 3.5" shells on any given day, invest in the mercury recoil reducer and a good quality aftermarket recoil pad. You won't regret it, in fact, you'll shoulder will thank you.

If you are shooting a smooth bore barrel, shoot rifled slugs through the cylinder choke tube. Don't go any tighter than the improved cylinder. Try them both to see which one patterns better for you. I have no experience shooting saboted slugs through a rifled choke tube, however, I have a lot of experience shooting a sabot through a rifled barrel. No comparison to smooth bore/rifled slug combinations. If you can afford it, plunk down the cash for a rifled barrel and buy the best quality sabot slug you can afford. Trust me, you won't regret it. 2 inch groups at 100 yds can be expected out of the average shooter. When your staring at a neck shot in heavy cover at the buck of a lifetime, you'll have confidence squeezing the trigger.

I can get you a little closer...My SBE is a 1999 vintage with a low rib and my dad's SBE is a 2003 model with a high rib. Based on Benelli Southpaw, I would say 2000 or 2001.

Does anyone have any experience using any of the aftermarket, steel shot choke tubes? I have been using the Benelli factory steel/modified in my SBE and am wondering if anyone knows that I can improve my patterning at 40 yds with an aftermarket tube before I plunk down $90 for an experiment. Loads are 3 1/2" BB's, steel. Targets are mainly geese at 30-40 yds. Thanks, Curious in Ohio

One of the best features of the Benelli auto over other autos is its limited number of moving parts. This is made more prevelant when hunting in sub-zero conditions. For years, I used a Browning Gold. Every other year, I would have to go through a complete strip, degrease and re-oil to get it to shoot more than once in freezing conditions (and it freezes alot in Ohio). Problem: Too many moving parts, gas blowback, dirt collection spots, bad oil and too much of it. The only solution I found, as stated in previous replies, is to go with a very good quality synthetic oil, and use it so sparingly that you wonder if you are damaging your gun because the amount you used can't possibly be enough. The other solution I found was to sell the Browning and buy the Benelli SBE, keeping it clean is a breeze, it's so simple, and again, remember the old cliche....less is more.