Benelli vs. Beretta
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SShooterZ
Member
Browning Gold Hunter or Winchester X2. 
Of the two, probably the SBEII as there seems to be a lot more popularity with them and that has to equate to something I would assume.
Of the two, probably the SBEII as there seems to be a lot more popularity with them and that has to equate to something I would assume.
sm
member
Beretta.
You do not share what all this gun is going to be for, your experiences or training. You really should try and shoot before you buy.
Between a Beretta and Benelli - I will always choose a Beretta. Beretta's hold up and I go back to the Beretta 301/302/303 days.
Benellis did not hold up in the competition I was participating in. I never kept a Benelli I won. Never!
Yes there a two different camps here on THR, and it is no secret which I am on.
I do not do this "gotta have" and "I wannacoolgunvirus".
You do not share what all this gun is going to be for, your experiences or training. You really should try and shoot before you buy.
Between a Beretta and Benelli - I will always choose a Beretta. Beretta's hold up and I go back to the Beretta 301/302/303 days.
Benellis did not hold up in the competition I was participating in. I never kept a Benelli I won. Never!
Yes there a two different camps here on THR, and it is no secret which I am on.
I do not do this "gotta have" and "I wannacoolgunvirus".
wacki
Member
Eh????? Ever heard of Tom Knapp?
Skywarp
member
Wha? Benelli has built its name on rock solid guns that don't need o-ring replacement or finnicky gas chambers.
For sheer reliability it's hard to beat the benelli.
For sheer reliability it's hard to beat the benelli.
Tom Knapp uses subsonic loads. His guns cannot be stock.
He's a helluva shooter.
I like gas guns. I don't live in a place where we go hunting when it's 40 below, so the O-ring thing doesn't matter to me. I have a spare one for my 1100 in my pouch. Haven't needed it, but if I do, it's there.
Berettas don't use 'em, though, AFAIK.
Me, if I had the cash at the moment, I'd skip both and get a 105CTi. Shoot one and you'll find out why. It has no O-rings, either, and it doesn't use a bleeder valve to adjust for heavy loads. Thing feels like a 20 Gauge when you lift it (7 lb. or less) and when you shoot it (recoil is minimal), but it's a 12.
That said, the Extrema 2 is the gun to get, IF you really need 3.5" loads, which is getting to be a bigger if.
He's a helluva shooter.
I like gas guns. I don't live in a place where we go hunting when it's 40 below, so the O-ring thing doesn't matter to me. I have a spare one for my 1100 in my pouch. Haven't needed it, but if I do, it's there.
Berettas don't use 'em, though, AFAIK.
Me, if I had the cash at the moment, I'd skip both and get a 105CTi. Shoot one and you'll find out why. It has no O-rings, either, and it doesn't use a bleeder valve to adjust for heavy loads. Thing feels like a 20 Gauge when you lift it (7 lb. or less) and when you shoot it (recoil is minimal), but it's a 12.
That said, the Extrema 2 is the gun to get, IF you really need 3.5" loads, which is getting to be a bigger if.
Chuck R.
Member
I guess those guides down in Argentina don’t read THR, imagine their surprise when they learn their high volume Benelli’s aren’t holding up. 
You don’t state your purpose, but if it’s waterfowl I prefer Benelli’s. I’ve had a SBE for over 6 seasons now and have never had a problem with it in some pretty crappy conditions. I can say the same for my M1S90, never missed a beat.
Chuck
You don’t state your purpose, but if it’s waterfowl I prefer Benelli’s. I’ve had a SBE for over 6 seasons now and have never had a problem with it in some pretty crappy conditions. I can say the same for my M1S90, never missed a beat.
Chuck
The Deer Hunter
Member
In my opinion Berettas get dirty way too fast. I was at a pheasant shoot with a friend and his beretta was jamming every couple of round after about 75-100 shots through it.
JohnBT
Member
"benelli sbe2 or beretta xtrema 2"
The X2 fits me better. I hunt ducks and geese with a SX-2 because it fits even better.
I'm a big fan of gas guns for heavy loads. I tend to like heavy guns for all loads - except shooting involving long, long hikes.
Fit, size & purpose, it all depends on your situation.
I've been around long enough to know that all makers make some duds no matter who promotes them or who hypes them.
John
The X2 fits me better. I hunt ducks and geese with a SX-2 because it fits even better.
I'm a big fan of gas guns for heavy loads. I tend to like heavy guns for all loads - except shooting involving long, long hikes.
Fit, size & purpose, it all depends on your situation.
I've been around long enough to know that all makers make some duds no matter who promotes them or who hypes them.
John
sm
member
Nevermind.
JohnBT
Member
Let me guess. You were going to say that Mr. Knapp isn't a competition shooter, he's an exhibition shooter. Nah, probably not.
"He has performed throughout Europe and the Mid-East covering as many as 14 Countries in 4 months! Tom has been performing for the public since 1987"
__________
"those guides down in Argentina"
I've never been there, but I'd like to go - and shoot a 8# 12 ga. gas gun and my 28 ga. Guerini. The one I'd want to take right now is the 1100 Competition. I hate the way it looks, but it fits me just right. Of course, I'm sitting here looking at a SX-1 thinking I've already got a great gun. Ah, it's only money.
__________
Why's everybody so touchy about their favorite brand? It's not like somebody insulted your dog.
I suppose I don't care because I own enough different brands I can't get really offended.
John
"He has performed throughout Europe and the Mid-East covering as many as 14 Countries in 4 months! Tom has been performing for the public since 1987"
__________
"those guides down in Argentina"
I've never been there, but I'd like to go - and shoot a 8# 12 ga. gas gun and my 28 ga. Guerini.
The one I'd want to take right now is the 1100 Competition. I hate the way it looks, but it fits me just right. Of course, I'm sitting here looking at a SX-1 thinking I've already got a great gun. Ah, it's only money.__________
Why's everybody so touchy about their favorite brand? It's not like somebody insulted your dog.
I suppose I don't care because I own enough different brands I can't get really offended.
John
I own a Benelli M1 and two Beretta 391's, and thus have some experience with both brands. It depends on what you plan on primarily using the gun for - hunting or clays. If hunting, the SBE. If clays, the Extrema. If a lot of both, the Extrema. Both have the shim system for adjusting the stock. The Extrema will definitely be the softer shooter.
Both are excellent guns. Neither has had jamming problems (or anything else) through a lot of hunting, and, in the case of the 391's, an awful lot of clays shooting. If a 391 is jamming after 75 - 100 shots, it has not been cleaned properly. Mine routinely go 500 - 1,000 rounds between cleanings, and I don't have any problems with them jamming. Tell your friend to run it wet with Breakfree CLP.
Both are excellent guns. Neither has had jamming problems (or anything else) through a lot of hunting, and, in the case of the 391's, an awful lot of clays shooting. If a 391 is jamming after 75 - 100 shots, it has not been cleaned properly. Mine routinely go 500 - 1,000 rounds between cleanings, and I don't have any problems with them jamming. Tell your friend to run it wet with Breakfree CLP.
If the choice is between the SBE and Xtrema 2 then we are discussing 3-1/2" waterfowling guns. The choice is between a gun that is simple and robust that kicks more (Benelli) and one that is more complicated, kicks less but will work with a wider range of shells (Beretta).
If we are talking clay guns then neither is a good choice. Then your choice is between a gun that is simple and robust that kicks more (Benelli Super Sport) and one that is more complicated, kicks less but will work with a wider range of shells (Beretta 391).
If we are talking clay guns then neither is a good choice. Then your choice is between a gun that is simple and robust that kicks more (Benelli Super Sport) and one that is more complicated, kicks less but will work with a wider range of shells (Beretta 391).
frank c
Member
I have a browning gold and a winchester SX2,both have been flawless shooting and ejecting all loads I have put threw them.My hunting partner has a Benelli super black eagle and it jams with 2 3/4 target loads most of the time.If I had a choice I would buy the beretta extrema.
RNB65
Member
+1 for the Beretta.
Benelli all the way. I have never owned a Beretta shotgun, but two buddies have - before they sold them and bought Benellis. I can think of 4 other guys that sold their autos after shooting my Benelli. They are just that good.
As someone else mentioned in this thread - to say that Benellis don't hold up is laughable. Their longevity is legendary in the dove fields of South America. They are also preferred by many north of the border guides that hunt in the cold, mud and guck.
I can think of 4 other guys that sold their autos after shooting my Benelli. They are just that good. As someone else mentioned in this thread - to say that Benellis don't hold up is laughable. Their longevity is legendary in the dove fields of South America. They are also preferred by many north of the border guides that hunt in the cold, mud and guck.
JohnBT
Member
Bruce Buck on the Argentina Gun:
"There is certainly no shortage of 20-gauge autos to pick from. Currently, the most popular in Argentina are the Beretta 391s. They have the reputation of reliably handling a wide variety of ammunition. I won't say they never break, because everything does, but they are very, very good. The 391 also can _ a long time between cleanings, which is a big help when you consider that you can shoot four flats of shells in a couple of hours. I've used 391s in Argentina several times and, other than one loose stock bolt, have never had a moment's trouble. The previous Beretta auto models, such as the 302 and 303 from the 1980s, are equally durable, as is the Browning B-80. This latter gun is mechanically identical to the Beretta 302.
The Benelli M1 Field, Montefeltro and Legacy also are well respected. The short-recoil action kicks more, but in a 20' you won't notice it. What you will notice is that the guns seem to be able to go for months without cleaning, because sooty gas isn't used to operate the action. The good lodges will have someone clean the guns for you each evening, but it never hurts to have a gun that shoots clean. The Benellis are also excellent in rain, just in case you get a rare downpour.
You don't see as many Browning Golds or Remington 1100s, but they are good guns. If you have one of these and enjoy shooting it, by all means bring it. I think that they have less recoil than the Berettas or Benellis. This is particularly noticeable in the 12s, but it's also true of the 20s."
- Bruce Buck is Shooting Sportsman's Gun Review Editor.
Taken from Buck, Bruce. “The Argentina Gun”. Shooting Sportsman, volume VI, November/December 2004. Down East Enterprise, Inc. USA: November, 2004.
"There is certainly no shortage of 20-gauge autos to pick from. Currently, the most popular in Argentina are the Beretta 391s. They have the reputation of reliably handling a wide variety of ammunition. I won't say they never break, because everything does, but they are very, very good. The 391 also can _ a long time between cleanings, which is a big help when you consider that you can shoot four flats of shells in a couple of hours. I've used 391s in Argentina several times and, other than one loose stock bolt, have never had a moment's trouble. The previous Beretta auto models, such as the 302 and 303 from the 1980s, are equally durable, as is the Browning B-80. This latter gun is mechanically identical to the Beretta 302.
The Benelli M1 Field, Montefeltro and Legacy also are well respected. The short-recoil action kicks more, but in a 20' you won't notice it. What you will notice is that the guns seem to be able to go for months without cleaning, because sooty gas isn't used to operate the action. The good lodges will have someone clean the guns for you each evening, but it never hurts to have a gun that shoots clean. The Benellis are also excellent in rain, just in case you get a rare downpour.
You don't see as many Browning Golds or Remington 1100s, but they are good guns. If you have one of these and enjoy shooting it, by all means bring it. I think that they have less recoil than the Berettas or Benellis. This is particularly noticeable in the 12s, but it's also true of the 20s."
- Bruce Buck is Shooting Sportsman's Gun Review Editor.
Taken from Buck, Bruce. “The Argentina Gun”. Shooting Sportsman, volume VI, November/December 2004. Down East Enterprise, Inc. USA: November, 2004.
I AM north of the border and often work with guides who hunt in the cold, muck and guck.
Sorry to burst your balloon but they don't prefer Benellis. What they prefer is the Remington 870 (pre J-lock editions only). Some of the older guides however still stick to the Model 12. One has an Auto 5 but he's considered a bit odd.
well, today i shot my dad's sbe2 and it weighed a lot less than the 11-87 super mag. a lot less than our 1100. a lot less than the 20 gauge and a lot less than the 12 gauge, pump browning (still my favorite gun). guess that makes me kind of odd for liking a pump 12 browning but w/e. i think i am gonna get the sbe2 though after having shot it. shot excellent. with a modified chocke at 50 yards, you could see the perfect circle where they were hitting. ill still use the browning from time to time though, excellent guns. and i know your gonna say, "well why then don't you get a browning?", and thats mainly cause i want a gun with no kick and thats light, because i shoot so much at one time. (might shoot a lot but i dont hit a lot :banghead: ) thsx for the support guys. i problably would have gotten the beretta except for the fact that its like 2 pounds heavier than the benelli. still... i got till i want, since im the one buying it, no hurry
What great threads- I've been considering a Benelli or something of the sort and the best reply is I'll stick to another pump old reliable 870 or the early version of the Sears J. C. Higgins that my mon bought my dad in 1950 or so. I'll stay with a pump
JohnBT
Member
"i problably would have gotten the beretta except for the fact that its like 2 pounds heavier than the benelli"
You're exaggerating a little there - about a pound and a half. The SBEII runs 7.2-7.3 pounds. The last 1100 I weighed (last Sat., made in 1986), weighed almost 8 pounds. My SX-2 Waterfowl is lighter. The rest of the current 12 ga. duck guns I've looked at in the past 2 months were all 7.25 to 7.8 pounds.
The heaviest Extrema2 on the chart at the Beretta site is 7.8 pounds.
John
You're exaggerating a little there - about a pound and a half. The SBEII runs 7.2-7.3 pounds. The last 1100 I weighed (last Sat., made in 1986), weighed almost 8 pounds. My SX-2 Waterfowl is lighter. The rest of the current 12 ga. duck guns I've looked at in the past 2 months were all 7.25 to 7.8 pounds.
The heaviest Extrema2 on the chart at the Beretta site is 7.8 pounds.
John
The-Fly
Member
I've never shot a Benelli, so I can't say anything about them. I do own a Xtrema2, and I love it. I've never had problems with it "jamming" even after running 400 rounds through it in a day. It will cycle anything, from the el cheapo walmart #7.5 stuff (in fact, thats 99% of my Extrema2's diet), to nuclear 3.5" loads.
Its a very soft shooter as well, I have new shooters try it out, and they love it as well.
Its a very soft shooter as well, I have new shooters try it out, and they love it as well.
No worries, my baloon is intact.
I mentioned the "north guides" in reference to goose guides I have spoken with. I talked to several a few years ago in preparing for a hunt and they all provided SBEs to their clients that did not bring their own guns.
+1 to SShooterz!
but between the benelli and the beretta, probably go with the benelli, i've wanted one for a while but the american guns just work too darn good for cheap. how clean they're said to run (i've never taken one apart to check for myself, cleaning my own guns is enough thanks) is a definite selling point. they also have the most innovative ways of reducing recoil it seems, although i've heard people debate this in terms of whether or not it actually works better than simpler methods.
but between the benelli and the beretta, probably go with the benelli, i've wanted one for a while but the american guns just work too darn good for cheap. how clean they're said to run (i've never taken one apart to check for myself, cleaning my own guns is enough thanks) is a definite selling point. they also have the most innovative ways of reducing recoil it seems, although i've heard people debate this in terms of whether or not it actually works better than simpler methods.
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