KevinK

Since you have narrowed your choices down to the M1 and 935, I'd first of all handle both and see which one feels better to you. Normally, whichever gun feels better would be my first choice. The only thing I question between the two guns that you are considering is the reliability of the 935. It just came out, and I guess I like to give companies a year or two to "get the wrinkles out" of the gun, before I lay down my hard-earned cash. With that said, I'd lean towards the M1. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Kevin

The recoil reducer does reduce the felt recoil in the SBE. I have one in mine, and it does seem to help. As far as the barrel length. For turkey hunting a shorter barrel is advantageous because the shorter length makes the gun more maneuverable when walking through the woods. Also a tad bit lighter. When your gun is over your shoulder the end of the barrel can get caught on low branches. The shorter barrel just helps reduce that possibility. It also reduces the chance that you will bump the end of your barrel against a sapling or some other brushy tangle when you are sitting and maneuvering for the shot on the turkey. I use to hunt with a 28" barrel and I now use a 24" barrel. Also, most people, including myself tend to put aftermarket extended turkey chokes on their shotguns, which will add another 1-2" to the barrel length. With my choke, my barrel length is 26". I have the SteadyGrip and I like it. To me, it offers the same advantages as a thumbhole stock on a rifle. I was sold on it with the prospect of being able to make awkward shots, because you can actually control the shotgun with one hand, when it is resting on your knee. That can come in handy when you have bird that comes to your calling from some other direction than what you expected. Like others mentioned, Benelli does offer a 24" barrel for the SBE. Kevin

I have used a buttstock mounted recoil reducer in a SBE deer gun, and it seems to be effective. As for turkey chokes, I plan on using a 2" extended Rhino choke, which is ported. Have not patterned with that choke, but have heard of excellent results from other websites (http://www.nitrocompany.com). I am going to pattern with that choke within the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in the Rhino choke for your Nova, I would contact a nitro company representative and find out which Rhino choke has provided the best performance with Benelli Nova's. The aftermarket recoil pad that I use is the Hi-Vis X-Coil recoil pad. Only drawback is that you need to have a gunsmith fit the pad to your shotgun (unless you are good with a grinder). But, the X-Coil is suppose have better recoil reduction than the Pachmayer Decelerator and Limbsaver pads. The X-Coil advertises a side-to-side comparison where they quantify competitor's recoil reduction against the X-Coil. I was skepticle, until I talked with a gunsmith who only had good things to say about the X-Coil pad. Good luck, Kevin

birdkilr, Thanks for the input on the magazine mercury recoil reducer. At one time I was considering the magazine recoil reducer, but preferred the one that mounts in the stock, because I was trying to minimize the forward weight of the gun. My logic is that I will be using the gun for turkey hunting and wanted to keep the forward weight of the gun to a minimum. My concern was that it may adversely affect my ability to hold aim on an approaching bird (if I have to hold in the aiming position for an extended period of time). That is when I decided to go with the buttstock mounted recoil reducer. Although, from your experience, it sounds like they are as effective, if not more effective, than the stock recoil reducer. What is the model and weight of the one you have? So, considering my current situation, that may be the next best option, if I can live with the additional weight in the forearm. By the way, I called C&H Research about custom making a recoil reducer for the SBE SteadyGrip stock and the gentleman I talked to said that he could custom make a very small diamater mercury recoil reducer, but told me it would not be as effective as putting some lead shot in my SBE buttstock. He said that the problem is that since the SBE can only accept a 3" recoil reducer, if he makes the diameter any smaller, there will be hardly any mercury in it and it will not weigh enough to provide any significant recoil reduction. I inquired about a tapered recoil reducer, since the area near the threads of the bolt-stock is the only area that really needs a smaller diameter. I gave him the measurements, and he told me that because the stock bolt is about 7mm and the diameter of the recoil reducer at the small end of the taper would be about 5/8", he did not feel that their would be enough strength in the tapered region to effectively hold that recoil reducer in place, over time. Kevin

Well, I decided to do some legwork and try to find the answer, myself. I purchased the Benelli 3" Mercury Recoil Reducer that is designed for the SBE. It fits into the synthetic stock of the SBE. Tried it, and it easily threads onto the stock bolt without any problem. I then tried to put that same Mercury recoil reducer in my SBE SteadyGrip stock and it did not fit, #%^@#!! It appears that the recess areas of the sling mounts, which there is one on each side of the SteadyGrip stock prevent the recoil reducer from threading onto the stock bolt. I am very disappointed. Anyway, I thought I would pass this bit of knowledge onto the rest of forum members who may be considering purchasing a recoil reducer for the SBE SteadyGrip stock. I then borrowed a C&H Recoil Reducer from my brother, because it is a smaller diameter than the Benelli Mercury Recoil Reducer. It appears that it will thread onto the stock bolt a little, 1-2 turns, that is not nearly enough to hold it in place and since it does not come close to touching the washer, so the stock is loose. That was also not a solution. I am going to try and look around and see what other recoil reducers are available that may fit into the SBE SteadyGrip stock. Oh yeah, I emailed the original posted question to Benelli a week ago and have not heard a response. I am hoping that they may have some type of adapter for that stock. Sure would be nice, since I plan on shooting 3.5" loads this coming turkey season. Kevin

Birddog, To answer your questions about sights, I am using a Leupold 2-7x33 scope on my SBE. Have used it for three years and have been very happy with it. Kevin

Bambihunter, I have also been using 2 3/4" slug loads in my SBE. I purchased my SBE in 2000 and originally shot the 2 3/4" Winchester Partitions through it. I was getting 3" groups @ 100 yards with those loads. I then tried out the Federal Barnes Expander 2 3/4" with the 3/4oz slug. I was able to get 2" groups at 100 yards with the Federals. The only round I have not shot through my SBE is the new Remington Core-Lokt slugs. I'll do that sometime between now and the next shotgun season. I have always liked the 2 3/4" slug rounds because they generally have a flatter trajector than the 3" rounds. That is because, even though the 3" slugs have more propellant, they generally have a heavier payload, which does not travel quite as fast as 2 3/4" slugs. Go to each manufacturers website to find out what the ballistics are for each slug. Generally, the 3" slugs will have more knockdown power. But, I have been very happy with the Federal 2 3/4" w/ 3/4oz slugs, which I think have plenty of knockdown power and has allowed me to harvest six deer in two years with my SBE and the Federal combination. I also second the advice of purchasing all brands of slugs that you can get your hands on, and find out which slug gives you the best accuracy. The slug that gives you the best accuracy (2 3/4" or 3") is the slug I would use. Afterall, all the knockdown power in the world won't do any good if you cannot hit your target ; ) Kevin

Does anyone know if the Mercury Recoil Reducer designed for the SBE buttsstock will fit in the SBE SteadyGrip buttstock? Thanks, Kevin