tucker301

In terms of recoil under heavy loads, I'd say they are pretty close to equals. In terms of lasting quality and performance... post back in 20 years and let me know how your pal's X2 is doing.

Imagine how bad it would have been if the recoil systems on these two wonderful firearms weren't reducing the recoil by a large percentage

Nowhere near eveything. I'm no more knowledgeable than most of the other regulars. I just have more access to a pc (16 hrs./day) than many do. Truglo offers a 2.6 mm sight or two.

Rooney

Have some patience!

Half of the answer?: Benelli and Beretta use 2.6 mm thread sizes, but I don't know where you'd find it in the Bradley style.

Take back to dealer and let him determine the best course of action. It may just need to be turned another round, but it's best to let the dealer look at it.

I gave them my sn and mailing address. Each recipient will probably have to request his own.

I only fired 6 rounds. Three to get it zeroed and then a group of 3. The group was about 1.5". I was in a bit of a hurry, because I was more focused on shooting my varmint rifle, and I didn't spend a lot of time with it. I contacted Benelli Customer Service and they sent the cap at no cost, so I had nothing to lose by trying it. I'm going to shoot it a few more times before making the final decision on which is better, but I'm leaning towards staying with the new cap right now.

I finally got the chance to shoot my R1 with the new spring tension barrel cap yesterday. Everyone should be aware that POI can change considerably when doing this. Mine was hitting a full 2 feet higher at 100 yards. So, if you do happen to switch to the new style cap, don't just screw it on and go hunting. Go to the range and check zero.

Not a clue...

As far as I know, the newer models, including 2004, have a small groove in the bottom of the bolt which must be filled before you can "float" a shell on the carrier. http://www.benelliusa.com/forums/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/1310.html#000000

By all means, get a commitment from the store to have your newer gun to you. Otherwise, you could wait months.

I wish I could take all the credit, but the fact is this very thing was explained Sunday on "Benelli's American Gun Dog" on ESPN.

I wonder what the mustard's for?

Many sporting clays shooters seem to like the 28" and longer, but the sighting plane on a 26" semi-auto is actually about the same length as the sighting plane on a 30" over & under, due to the longer receiver. Consider this: The overall length of a 26" SBEII is a 1/2" longer than the overall length of a 30" Alcione Sport. So, from shoulder to bead, they are about equal. As for patterns and range, there is no difference when using equally constricted chokes in various barrel lengths.

wallhanger54, What would you recommend, if anything, for the routine maintanence of the recoil tube and spring? [ 10-16-2005, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: tucker301 ]

garren, There's nothing wrong with having a .30 claiber shooting 1.5" - 2" high at 100 yards. This allows the shooter to still hold dead on target at 200 without worrying abiut compensating.

Alien, Nice shooting! Those groups are fine for a semi-auto hunting rifle. I like the way you shot group C to mimic realistic hunting situations. Are you using the new spring tension cap or the old indexed style?

I would. What do you have to lose?

Search is your friend.

Yes, the condition of the recoil spring (that lives in the stock) is what makes the action slide forwards. Strip it completely, including the recoil spring and housing. You also need to disassemble the bolt group and remove the firing pin, inertia spring, etc. Clean all parts. I prefer Hoppes Elite Gun Cleaner. If anything is really cruddy looking, use Gunscrubber or compressed air to blow it out. I would not use nitro solvent on anything but the bore. I really like Benelli's oil, but Rem-Oil should be good as well.

I don't think you'd achieve complete powder burn at 18, but 20 should be sufficient for the 308. Having a skilled smith shorten the barrel should not be a problem. I had a 26" varminter cut to 24" a few months ago and the results have been very positive. I'd go ahead and get it recrowned rather than leaving it flat, unless you're strictly target shooting. The Benelli factory crown is nicely done and I'd try to have that replicated on a shortened barrel. I've heard no rumors about the R1 being offered in a 20" .308, but it makes sense that they would do it eventually.

Have you cleaned and lubed the recoil spring and guide? Are you disassembling the bolt group and cleaning that as well? What kind of cleaner and lube are you using?

As indicated in the other discussion, the carrier may not go up all the way because the rounded tab will hang on the edge of the groove in the bottom of the bolt assembly. It's a matter of pushing the carrier slightly to one side when loading the shells. With time, these parts will break in and work more smoothly. Look at the carrier when the shell sticks and you'll see how it is about 1/4" shy of being fully depressed. I actually bent the tab on slightly to improve the alignment. A move that seems to have shocked some members.