Benelli SBE2 vs Winchester SX3

[Rhyno37]

While I'm still thinking about a cheaper autoloader such as the Stoeger 3500 and Mossberg 935, I'm wondering If I might get more for my money on one of these guns.

These are the two gun's I've narrowed it down too. I don't have any experience with either. My uncle has a SX2 and swears by it, but that's as much as I know. I want a gun that can cycle light loads as well with ease.

I can pick up the SBE2 in camo from Dick's Sporting goods for $1349, and I can get the SX3 in camo from Gander Mountain for $1299, so the prices are quite similar.

Also, can someone explain to me the pros and cons of inertia vs gas operated?

 

[corruptone]

I own a Winchester SX3 and a Stoeger M3500 which is the same action as the SBE2. My son and I have both shot a few shells through each and we both agree that the SX3 is superior in our opinions. The SX3 has a slimmer profile, swings easier, feels lighter, and has substantially less felt recoil. Yes, recoil is subjective but we both believe it to be true. Both are highly reliable but for the money, it is hard to beat the SX3.

 

[jmr40]

Inertia is simple. Very few moving parts, easy to clean, lighter weight. Guns tend to keep working longer when dirty. Think of them as pumps that you don't have to pump. A lot of hunters prefer the inertia system because it is lighter and more foolproof

Gas guns tend to be heavier, with more complex parts. Most newer guns are extremely reliable if kept reasonably clean. The gas system, along with more weight make for a softer recoiling gun. Most competition shooters like the gas guns because the softer recoil really helps when you are shooting lots of shells.

No personal experience with either, but if you are considering the Benelli I'd go with th M-2. I have a couple of the older M-1's and think they are great. The SBE shoots 3.5",3" and 2.75" shells. They sometimes bobble with the very light 2.75" ammo. As will all autoloaders chambered for 3.5" shells. You will shoot a lot more 2.75" shells than 3.5". If you plan to shoot the 3.5" shells a lot then it may be the gun for you. Otherwise I'd suggest the M-2 that shoots 2.75" and 3" loads very reliably.

Have heard great things about the Winchester, but as I said, no personal experience. I'd also look at the Beretta offerings if considering a gas operated gun.

 

[Rhyno37]

So does that mean that both of these shotguns might not cycle 2 3/4" shells too well?

 

[jmr40]

I simply don't know that much about the Winchester. Wasn't even aware that the newest version of the Winchester was chambered for 3.5" shells until I checked their website.

I have several friends with the SBE. It is considered to be the best of the 3.5" guns when it comes to handling the lighter loads. Most of the time they work fine with the light loads, but at times they will not feed certain loads. My friends simply don't buy the really light 1 oz. 2.75" loads. They have better luck with the 1 1/8 oz heavy field loads in 2.75".

The Winchester design may work better, just don't know. I do know I've heard great things anout the older SX2 that shot 2.75 and 3" shells.

For me personally I'd buy the 3" version of whatever gun I decide on. Most of the manufacturers are making guns that will work very reliably with both 2.75 and 3". Most of them chambered in 3.5" have issues with light 2.75" shells. The way I see it I'm going to shoot 2.75" shells 90-95% of the time. I want the gun to shoot those shells reliably. I've found that a 3" shell can do anything I need to do with a shotgun.

But that is me. My friends with the SBE guns love them and are willing to accept a few FTF with light loads to get the 3.5" performance.

 

[JohnBT]

Fwiw, I have an SX-2 Waterfowl, a 3.5" gun, and it cycles low brass 2.75" field loads with a 1-1/8th oz. I've never fired a 3.5" shell.

 

[vaherder]

Neither. You need to go look at the Browning Maxus. Maxus is the best in 3.5" in handling all loads but why do you need 3.5"?. Maxus3.5" reliably handles 1oz loads or lighter.

 

[Rhyno37]

That's what I'm wondering. Is there any reason I NEED 3.5"? Or will a 3" do all I need and more?

So in those terms I would go for a Benelli M2. Are there any other higher end autoloaders chambered in 3" not 3.5"?

 

[DaleCooper51]

If you haven't shot a Benelli yet, I would definitely do so before plopping down over a grand on a gun. I had wanted a Cordoba and was close to buying one until I had the chance to shoot one at the skeet club.

 

[jmr40]

Unless you plan on doing "A LOT" of goose hunting and shoot them at very long range, there is no reason to by a 3.5" gun. The larger shells allow more of the larger steel pellets needed for geese at long range. At reasonable ranges 3" or even 2.75" shells work just fine. The other non toxic shot such as Hevi-Shot and the Bismuth shells in 3" will far outperform 3.5" steel. They are much more expensive and if you plan on shooting them by the case, then 3.5" steel would make sense. For the occasional goose hunt I'd just buy the more expensive shells.

The 3.5" shells offer nothing but disadvantages for any other use. They were only developed after steel shot became mandatory and the early steel shot loads were coming up short.

In my opinion the best of the semi's now are the Beretta gas gun, or the Benelli inertia operated gun. I've owned both and cannot say anything bad about either. I prefer the Benelli, because its ligher weight and simplicity suit my hunting and shooting style. I won't argue with someone else who prefers the Beretta.

I've had the 11-87, they ain't bad, I just prefer the others. I had good luck with a Stoeger 2000 that we discussed in another thread. Heard good things about the Winchester and Mossberg, but no personal experience. I did have an older Mossberg 9200 that was junk, and I've been less than impressed with the Mossberg 500's I've owned and shot. There may be other good ones, but those are the ones I have experience with.

 

[rcmodel]

If you are not a died in the wool, mud & water in your boots goose hunter, there is absolutely no reason at all to buy a 3 1/2" chambered shotgun.

Their only claim to fame is being able to hold enough big steel shot to kill geese at longer range.

Not needed for 99.9% of any other shotgun use.

I bought a 3" SBE for turkey hunting a few years back.
Sold it and went back to my Browning A-5 the following year.
The SBE kicked like a stud mule on crack!
To the point I'd get a recoil headache in just a few sighting-in shots with 2 3/4 Mags.

I'd go gas-operated, probably Beretta, if a bunch of 3" or 3 1/2" mags are in the cards.

rc

 

[Rhyno37]

So if I was picking between the Benelli M2 and the Beretta AL391 Urika 2, what would you guys suggest?

 

[vaherder]

Neither

Beretta has non existent customer service. You need to shoot both. You may not like the Benelli's recoil. Also you need to seriously consider the Browning Maxus, Beretta A400 and Benelli's Vinci. What will you be using the shotgun for?

Buy the shotgun that fits you the best.

 

[Rhyno37]

Mostly trap shooting, dove/pheasant hunting, and some turkey. I mainly use my muzzleloader for deer, but there is a possibility of buying a rifled barrel and shooting slugs.

 

[oneounceload]

If you want a gun that can handle everything from 2.75 to 3.5" shells, then look at the Beretta A400 Xplor. The one I have will handle my 3/4 and 7/8 oz reloads up to 3.5 inch shoulder breakers - it is light like an inertia gun, but with a reliable gas action; and with the Kick-Off recoil system it is very light shooting

 

[vaherder]

Browning Maxus

For what you want to do w/ a shotgun the Maxus will work. Light at under 7lbs. Very low recoil. Handles all shell loads. For the price of that SBE2 you can get a Maxus. Check Bud's.

You really need to buy the gun that fits you the best. Maxus has numerous adjustments for fit as does the A400 and Vinci. The B guns are more reliable and have better QC then Remington.

 

[Rhyno37]

Is that a for sure that it handle's all shell loads? Come to think of it I will mainly be shooting 2 3/4" light loads. 3.5" would really only be if I ever got into waterfowl.