nlwood

Just saw NJGunners question about the partial shell ejection. The position (90 degrees) out of the ejection port is something that has happened once or twice to most SBE owners and is an indication that the inertial bolt system was not allowed to function as it was designed to. The Benelli inertial bolt system must have a solid base to operate correctly. The fix for the partial ejection is to be sure the butt is solid against the shoulder. This will insure correct operation with any commercial load, from light target to heavy perditor.

Going through the postings I'm happy to see that there are some shooters out there that see the "SteadyGrip" is not just for Turkey hunting. I have RA and my hands are rather messed up from it. Six years ago I was going through the Benelli catalog and saw the pistol grip stock and contacted Benelli USA reps to see if it could be used on the SBE, because I had a problem holding the standard stock grip. When I found the pistol grip would work on my SBE, I ordered one, had it camoed to match my gun and I've been using it ever sense. The interesting thing was that I contacted Benelli in March just before NY Turkey season and they assumed I wanted the pistol grip for Turkey. Truth is I seldom hunt Turkey. I wanted it for waterfowl. I had just finished Snow Goose Hunting. I find with the pistol grip I can swing the gun better and get better shoulder contact for less bruising after 6 shots!

I have been shooting the SBE (with the first pistol grip) (now called Steady Grip) for over 7 years and I have used the extended PatternMaster choke tube for 3 & 3.5 in. shells for Turkey, Ducks, Geese and Sand Hill Crane. I find, with the PatternMaster, the standard distance is over 40 yards. With Kent shells I consistantly group patterns of 95 to 84 percent in a 40 in. circle at 50 and 60 yards. But, please don't just accept what I'm saying, find someone else that has a PatternMaster and have them verify (or Challenge) my information. check the PatternMaster web site

wheelr, I've had that problem a couple of times and found out that when it happened I didn't have the SBE up tight to the shoulder. Try pulling it in tight and then try it again with out it being tight and you'll see the difference. The action is an Inertia Driven bolt mechanism and the stock must be anchored to work properly.

bigduke6, I just saw your question on the "Steady Grip" for your SBE. In 2001 I installed the first "M1/M3 Pistol Grip" on my SBE. I have arthritus and the safety on the trigger guard would tear up my middle finger every round I fired and I felt the pistol grip would relieve the problem. It did but the M1/M3 Pistol Grip only came in black so I had to send both the Pistol Grip and fore grip to Maryland to have it camo'd. If you decided to reconfigure your SBE you will not regret it and you will be supprised at the difference it will make in you shooting.

If you want the best in chokes for any type shooting try a "Pattern Master". I've been using one on my SBE for over four years. I've patterned it at 40 yrds with an 83 to 87% in a 30 in target. I hunt Waterfowl all over the US and even with Sandhill Crane (which are the hardest of all migatory bilds to kill) one shot is generally enough to bring them down and they hit the ground dead. Read the specs and how it works at: http://www.patternmaster.com/home.html