Kazz

I've not had a chance to get out since those first few shells. But goose season opens tomorrow and I got a call that a slot was open in the blind. So, given there will be birds, I'll have a second shot at this. I did order and receive a limbsaver shoulder pad I'll wear under my shirt. I've been practicing how I mount to my shoulder, too. We'll see. Thanks everyone for the feedback. Again, I was just really, really shocked by the kick. My effort will be to mount the gun properly, pull it into my shoulder, lean into it, and not flinch. Here's to baggin' two tomorrow. Thanks again.

But the recoil from a lousy 2.75" game load is more than I'm used to or care for. That's more to the point.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed. I came to Benelli specifically because of their marketing. Having bought it brand new, it's a lesson that's gonna cost me a few hundred bucks. I will definitely let Benelli know how disappointed I am. Thanks all for the perspective.

So, even shooting the 2 3/4 load I documented should kick hard?

You do understand that reply flies entirely in the face of Benelli's marketing, yes?

I have my dad's 1970's Sears 12 gauge that only takes 2 3/4" shells and can shoot it all day long. It's like nothing. My brother-in-law got me started duck hunting and wants to get me out goose hunting and I'm all for it, but he's insisted I need 3" & 3 1/2" shells. I bought a used Mossberg from an old man that was a friend of his. I don't recall the model, but it was 860-something, I think. It was very short, perhaps a 24", and only took 3" and 3 1/2". I couldn't handle the kick. So, I took the Mossberg, and old Stephens single-shot 20-gauge in to trade in and get a Benelli. I wanted the SBE2 in AGP so I could use 3 1/2" shells. It's taken a few weeks, but I finally got out to the range with it today. I only had the ammo I'd been using in the other guns: Remington game load: 2 3/4", 1250fps, 1oz, 8 and Winchester Xpert Hi Velocity, 3 1/2" 1550fps, 1 3/8oz BB (I didn't bring 1 1/8oz 2s I had, just the BBs). Anyway, I started with the game load and was amazed at how much kick there was. After another round or two I moved to a 3 1/2" shell. That really hurt. I put 3 - 3 1/2s in and paid very close attention to how I was holding the butt to my shoulder. Fired once, caught myself flinching before firing the second round, ejected the third, packed up and went home! Blood blister/bruising on my shoulder. I'm not a big guy, 5'9", #165, but this kicked as much as the Mossberg. I had my brother-in-law shoot the Mossberg before I traded it in and he agreed it had a nasty kick. He even apologized he'd set up the sale with is friend for it. This new SBE2 is as bad, easily. What am I doing wrong? This thing is marketed HEAVILY based on light kick. What could be the issue??? Thanks.