[Benelli M4 or Beretta 1301/A300 Ultima Patrol? Why one versus the other?]

I've had an M4 for 18 years.  It is the shotgun equivalent of a Glock in terms of reliability.  You need to ditch the stupid two-part mag tube and get a one piece mag tube immediately.  The collapsible stock is nice for saving a little space, but my actual preference is for the non PG straight stock (I have all three).  You can ghost load the M4, so 7 in the tube, one on the carrier, one in the chamber for 9 shots.  With a full card on the side, its a heavy bitch, but its an end of the world shotgun...The 1301 Gen 2 is a damn good shotgun with the proven A400 operating system.  If weight is a primary concern, that's the way I would go.  The A300 is a noticeable step down in the operating system/refinement in my opinion.  

[Super Black Eagle 3 shooting high]

Just picked up a Benelli SBE3 in 3" with 28" barrel this week.  I was worried about all the past input from owners whose patterns where really high, with most looking like 100% above point of aim.  Just wanted to show what a sample of a current model (3" chamber) is shooting.  I patterned it from a rest at 25yds with 3 shots to get a good average.  The circle is 30" and I was using the factory full choke.  67% above point of aim, 33% below.  To me, that's about perfect for waterfowl hunting.  It all worked for me yesterday while hunting in some really rough conditions (Iceded over water so just passing birds and 8 degrees).  I will obviously need to shoot it a bunch more, but initial impressions are good.  

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