AL_Waterfowler

I have a patternmaster extended range for my SBE2 and M2 that I use sometimes for late season ducks, when the get call and decoy shy and tend to fly a bit higher than usual. Other than that I use nothing buy the crio chokes that came with the guns. Not sure where all of the hype about them not performing, but the work great for me. There was no need for me to purchase an aftermarket choke except for longer shots *which I dont usually take, but this season was touch especially in January". As for skeet, Benelli does include a Skeet tube with the gun, which works great on the range...in my opinion.

I had a similar issue sith my M2 in the duck blind this past season. I also use Kent and Hevishot...for me it was from not shouldering the gun properly when a flock of ducks flew over! It is NOT an issue with the gun, you have to remember how the inertia system works, and one thing that can cause it to act up is improperly shouldering.

I am partial to Lacrosse.

I agree about the 3 1/2" as well...I know a lot of guys who use them and swear by them, (I have a SBE II, and rarely shoot it, unless we are going solely for high flying geese) but for ducks I dont think anything more than a 3" magnum is necessary...

Is it walnut or synthetic? The walnut SBE IIs do not have the comfort tech system, it is only available on the synthetic and camo models...if you have a synthetic or camo, I would have to say the stocks were changed out...

In my opinion...it is really all about what you want. If you want a auto buy an auto...if you would rather a pump buy a pump. For the money I think the Stoeger is a good buy...I was given a great article on it in Gun Test Digest from a buddy. My hunting buddy has a Stoeger along with Benellis and he uses his M2000 all the time in the field with no problems...In my opinion the Stoeger is a good gun, and is very similar to a Benelli auto...less some of the bells and whistles (comfort tech, crio etc, price tag...). The fundamentals of both guns are the same, they will both do the same thing and will both kill ducks...any gun can give you problems read through some of these forums. Price has sometimes very little to do with functionality...for example you can buy a $100K sports car and a $30K sports car, both can have issues due to the mechanical nature of their components, but it all boils down to which one YOU want. They will both provide you the same utility in the long run given proper maintenace, but you have to ask yourself which one would you be satified with for the long haul. In my case I chose Benellis, simply because I wanted Benellis, maybe next time I will buy a Browning or a Winchester...who knows. I know this was a long-winded reply...sorry, but in my opinion I think that you should buy the one you want...you narrowed them down to 2 guns...I believe that they are both carry the same general price tag...so which one do yo want more? Get that one. Good luck and Happy Hunting!

As do I, hope you get it back quickly with no issues.

I also have a buddy who has a Chesapeake...(chocolate female)... I do not have lots of experience with Chesapeakes but she seems to be a good dog...still young and a bit stubborn, but most are at some point. I have heard that Cheasapeakes are a but more aggressive than labs...

Well, you know...there can be issues with just about anything on the market with moving parts...I understand your frustation. I would have to pull the gun apart from top to bottome and look for anything that looks off...after a good examination and a good cleaning and oiling if I were still having problems I would be on the phone with Benelli. I will say though despite some issues I have seen, I would not take any other gun in the field with me...My close group of friends are all avid hunters/shooters and we collectively shoot most of whats out there, and I have seen issues with just about everything.

I will speculate, but would have to agree with tucker...I would start by looking at the shells that I am using. Improper mounting of the gun could definitely cause this to happen.

Labrador Female...my preference is Chocolate.

I am an avid waterfowler, and I use the factory choke tubes (I shoot both an M2 and a SBE2)...I do not have any issues with them, and they pattern fine for me. The only aftermarket choke tube I have is a Patternmaster extended range. When I shoot Hevi-Shot I use my IC (usually #4 shot for ducks), works well for me. What choke tube are you currently using? Patternmaster makes a choke tube for decoying birds, but prior to investing in an aftermarket tube, I would explore all angles of the issue. When I have any issues, I usually try to evaluate what I am doing first that could cause this. Lots of issues in hunting, believe it or not come from operator error. (Not saying that is always the case, but usually where I start) I would start by looking at what type of round I am using and try a different manufacturer. My hunting buddy used some cheaper shells one morning and was frustrated after two flocks of decoying birds landed on top of us and he missed everytime he fired...later when we got back to the house, we patterened his gun with what he was using and a different shell, and there was an extremely significant difference. This is one example. Also, for hevi-shot, I would use a Mod or ImpCyl only. I would not use a IM or Full choke. I tend to like to try different manufacturers ammo and see what works best for me...this changes from person to person, along with shooting styles. Hope this helps, and good luck!

If the gun was going to be for my wife, I would go and hack away! You could go and spend the $400...but why? You can always change the stock back later if you wanted...

Why did you not just purchase one with a 28" barrel? Are you hunting with the gun? If so, wht are you hunting? What are you looking for the 28" barrel to do for you?

That happened to me with my M2...I (along with my buddies) headed out on a 70 yard hike on a frozen bean field in Arkansas (I had a feeling it was going to get worse before getting better)...needless to say, the ice cracked...I fell...gel pad falls off... pretty funny looking back on it. Nonetheless, put it back on, defrosted it, loaded it and got my limit, and smacked my buddy for not wanting to drive his 4 wheeler through the ice. Didn't take his 4 wheeler the next day either...I'll ride through ice all day long...and DID! and operned up one heck of a hole for the ducks to feed in!

I ignore mine...they give the gun character...show that it has actually SEEN a blind. If it really bothers you as tucker stated above use some paint or camo tape. I usually tell my buddies when they get a new "toy", take it out of the box and scratch it once, forget about it, then take it and USE IT in the field!

I am an avid duck hunter (but also shoot skeet and trap often), and I clean my guns after every outing. I am a definite advocate of cleaning after every use...some would say it is not necessary, but it WILL almost guarantee a long life for your weapon. Also, I may not break it down all the way everytime...sometimes I may just bore-snake the barrel and oil it up, unless it was a "rough" day!

Never tried the Field and Stream Waders...I currently am using 5mm LaCrosse Super Tuff II Chest Waders with 1000g Thinsulate lining. I love them...they kept me warm and dry all last weekend in Arkansas. Biggest considerations when buying waders (I think) are: where you are going to hunt, how cold it gets there, and what types of obstacles you may encounter when you are there. Those are my top three. It may help in choosing waist highs instead of chest waders 3mm vs 5mm, amount of thinsulate lining. All these contribute to the cost. I would have to say though your waders are NOT the piece of gear to be stingy on!

Greenheads of course...

Great choice, while Benellis are on the pricey side, they won't let you down in the field. I am an avid duck hunter and have several friends who enjoy hunting and ask my opinion on choice of guns and shells...my answer is always Benelli. "Performance worth the price" While there are several great guns on the market, i am partial to the proof of little to no problems on a hunt with my Benellis. I have a SBE2 and M2 both in Max4 camo, and they make hunting for ducks a "blast"...no pun intended...

Looks like a lot of similarities and some differences...I on the otherhand and taking my Hevishot #4's and my SBEII and M2 and heading to Arkansas for what hopefully will be a great hunting weekend!

Well guys, speaking here as a non-biased third party...I would have to say that Benelli USA probably has no real control over what is sent and where. As far as retailers...each is different. Prior to my using nothing but Benellis in my pursuit of waterfowl, I was a big Browning fan. I searched day and night at all retailers I could find...there are several different tiers-if you will of retailerssome get lots, others not so many. For example, I have a SBE2 and a M2, prior to purchasing the M2 I was looking around for something, not sure what it was...I then set my sights on a Xtrema 2. Pretty popular gun, shouldnt be too hard to find...went to my "local" Beretta retailer, and he told me it took him 19 months to get the last one...i was pretty confused. Then I went down to Gander Mountain and they had all I could buy. Point being, different levels of sales and inventories = amounts of firearms in stock and available to that specific retailer. Browning for example has Full-line retailers and retailers that carry only specific items--the exact name escapes me at the moment. Also I would have to say, there is almost nothing that cannot be found and/or purchased if you REALLY want it. Oh, and its spEEch... Happy Hunting!

Just wanted to see what everyone is shooting at waterfowl this season... I have a SBEII and an M2 that I use and am a big fan of Hevishot #2's and #4's and also a bit of Fasteel...Good Luck to all! [ 11-22-2006, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: AL_Waterfowler ]

I have LOTS of calls, but am partail to my RNT calls...I use them the most.

The M2 is an excellent choice, I love mine...i tend to use it a lot for dove, quail, and duck. I do though like to switch back between the M2 and the SBEII. If you can get the deals I would definitely go with a Benelli, you cannot go wrong. If you keep it clean and take care of it it will last a lifetime.