fishinguy

Cooper, best huntig dog in the world [ATTACH=CONFIG]2455[/ATTACH]

I used to log on quite a bit; it's when I started waterfowling and researching to select a gun. I received a lot of great information from hunteres regarding birds, locations, types of loads, shooting tips, decoy spreads etc. Seems folks tended to discuss hunting with more frequency. It's interesting to see the detail of tactical guns and I now know much more about them, but hunting is a topic that has dwindled. Everything evolves, I guess. I just made 42 pounds of goose sticks yesterday. I should thank the forum for that, and helping me a nd two sons in our first years of waterfowling. (it helped me sound like I knew something, when actually knew nothing of the sport)

Thanks for the opportunity.

I went through this same process for a year myself. I purchased a SBEII in August for my hunts this fall. I love the gun, but have not shot a SV, I don't know anyone with one. I also have a Benelli Ultra Light, I had some pinching issues with that when I first got it a few years ago, but I think I must have adjusted to how I load shells, as it doesn't seem to be an issue at all. And I don't experience it with the SBEII. So, I think you adapt if it's an issue for you. I don't use my thumb to re-engage the safety. I use my index finger after removing it from the trigger. Always have for as long as I can remember shooting, I think I was taught that way. Crap, that's like 40 years now. Thanks for making me feel old......

Perfect. That I can do, thanks much!

So, I finally bought my new SBE II. Coincidentally, yesterday duck hunting is the first time I ever went down hard in a slough, water in the waders and all. ...and I'm carrying my brand new SBE. So when I got home I got a quick lesson in the complete breakdown of the gun. The only thing I was unsure of, is whether I should dismantle the recoil spring tube as well to make sure it's dry, or leaving it in the sun was enought to dry it out, assuming water "may" have gotten in there. I wasn't able to shake any water out of it. I'm sitting here now thinking I should take that apart as well. Can I go that far into the tear down?? Is it difficult to remove the inner workings of the recoil spring tube? I haven't found a video for it. Thanks for any feed back. I love this gun....

I bought a lab two years ago, first dog I've ever owned. I was 46. Spent time teaching him the basics, sit, here, heel. I spent a little time with him just about every day, with those commands and retrieving. Someone recommended a book or two, and i read those. He's a great hunting dog now, and I knew very little going into it for training. I did buy a dog with a good pedigree assuming it would make the job more enjoyable, and it has been. I feel pretty lucky with Cooper. BTW, he's a handsome 56-pound fox red British Lab.

By the way, not a problem and I LOVE the gun. Bought a 12ga 26".

I've had mine for short time. I've put 100 rounds of a heavy field load during my first spoting clays. Then a standard target load for another 100. Maybe another 15 or so shooting birds at a game farm thus far. All were 2 3/4. Yes, it'll shoot 3 inch as well. Fired a couple just because.

All my hunting is Minnesota and Norht Dakota. I've had issues with Rem Oil as mentioned hunting in cold weather. Never had an issue with BreakFree. But, at the same time, I'm much better at cleaning my guns properly over the last few years.

I did something similar to the knuckle on my left index finger 15-20 years ago. Wide open and could see lots of stuff I shouldn't. Went to the ER, had a specialist stitch the tendon together, then the skin and had my hand in a half-cast for almost eight weeks. Turned out pretty good, but I have some limited issues on the coldest of Minnesota days. I'd make sure it's taken care of properly. Even now scar tissue holds the skin to the tendon underneath, as I didn't do the physical therapy afterwards as I was instructed to do.

Looks legal, didn't see any empty 20ga lead shells anywhere....

I've always had glossy finishes, I figured that would be easier to care for. But I'm sure this gun will see less field time. I like the idea of oil. Is Neatsfoot a brand or type of oil? I assume from that point after a wax, it needs to be waxed after a time in the field?

I have an old Mossberg New Haven 20ga. It's the first gun I purchased in my youth 30 years ago. Wow!! It was used then, and the stock had been modified slightly to fit the previous owner better. It was a horrible job. However, I can't quite seem to let it go. So I think I'll refinish the wood instead. Once stripped, what would people recommend for the finish?

Benelli Ultralight (12 Gauge) Weatherby SA-80 (12 Gauge) Mossberg 835 / Turkey (12 Gauge) Mossberg 835 Combo (12 Gauge) Mossberg 935 Combo (12 Gauge) Remington 870 (12 Gauge) Stoeger Condor O/U (16 Gauge) Mossberg New Haven 600ct (20 Gauge) Winchester 1400 (20 Gauge)

I haven't noticed this on mine, but I've had it for only a couple of months. I do have a habit of always checking the choke regularly on all of my shotguns, and doing mid-day tweaks in the field. But have never noticed a loose choke. Are you noticing this often? For example after only a few shots or at the end of a long weekend of hunting?

Timb99 - Thanks for the tip on patterning, I'm sure I would have patterened off-hand. I will use a bench.

Birdbrooks - Thanks too for your reply. Glad to hear you love your Ultralight. There's so much information out there about those who say these things kick like a mule, but I found those hard to belive from all I've read, and people I know, who own other Benelli's. They all love 'em and never heard complaints about recoil, yes I understand they are heavier guns. I simply assumed Benelli would have built a quality gun and taken that into account in design. I'm not one for shooting 3" shells, except for my old Mossberg 20ga on pheasants. I don't plan to shoot 3 inch shells from this very often. I apparently haven't paid enough attention, but does the faster ammo simply use more powder for speed? If so, do I ever have to consider the 26" barrel vs. the 28" I've shot previously to maximize those speeds? I've always heard that speed comes from the burn rate, and that you need a longer barrel to maximize the full potential. Whatchya think? thanks.

BlackDogs3 Thanks much for the reply. Seems "fit" is a recurring theme. I've always thought I understood the concept of drop and cast, but never thought much about the length of stock and assumed you'd simply get used to whereever it's at. I'm not sure I know right now if the stock is long or short for me. I guess that's why some feel better when I shoulder them in the stores. Perhaps this is something a gunsmith can assist me with. I'll do some checking. Other than for turkey hunting, I've never thought of patterning my shotguns. I assume the process is the same for patterning any shotgun regardless of turkey hunting or wing shooting. Thanks too for the info of steel vs. lead. I never thought much of what occurs once the pellets leave the barrel. I can't wait to get out a shoot a bit...

I finally made the leap, and purchased a Benelli UltraLight 12ga, specifically for upland hunting. I've hunted over the last few years very regularly and decided now is the time to get much better at shooting. I've tried to stay with similar brands of ammo, but in retropect never paid enough attenion to velocity, shot weight, powder, etc. I'd figure I was pheasant hunting and needed 4 or 5 shot and went from there. I'm curious how shooters better than I pick the shells to use, even the brand. I shot Fiocchi shells this fall while pheasant hunting, and I shot better than I have before. I bought them for my young son's 16 gauge Stoeger O/U, and he couldn't miss. So I'm leaning that way now for brand. But how do I match my field loads to what I'll be shooting at the range for clays. Is FPS all I need to worry about, even though I'll shoot different shot size? I'd appreciate others' thoughts. Thanks.

Thanks. I was/am thinking about it. I really am looking forward to passing this gun on someday. I shoot an older 870, older mossberg too. I expect this to be a special purchase, but I do need to keep the money in mind, which is why I haven't purchased yet. I'm looking for as much info as I can get first.

LOL !! Thanks Son.

I have humted for years, and am finally purchasing my own new Shotgun in 30 years. Seems the last 6 or 7 shotguns (new & used) I've purchased are for my boys, so time to treat myself.... I cannot find a Raffaello Deluxe anywhere. There really seems to be little info anywhere on the web either. Has anyone reading tonight purchased the gun? I noticed on the Benelli website, many of the World Class guns list this statement: "Minimum recommended load, use 3-dram, 1 1/8 oz. loads in all Benelli 12-ga semi-auto shotguns. Specifications subject to change without notice." I don't see this for the other guns. Is there something very different mechanically with the gun? I'm open to your thoughts. It looks like a beautiful gun and someday I'll pass it down to one of the boys. Maybe after the 1,000th pheasant.....