Damn benelli choking on buckshot

[dukeofurl]

Just brought home an M1 super 90 with a sidesaddle shell holder. Took it out to the range and had a bolt action shotgun the whole session.

Anyone have experience with this problem?

I took off the shell holder and I'm going to try it again tomorrow. Its driving me crazy that this italian peice of supposed autoloading shotgun perfection wont work with something as simple as #8 buckshot.

 

[longtom4570]

You could have hit on the problem with the side saddle, maybe it was binding up the action. Try it with it not so tight and tighten up a little at a time,when it binds up back off a little. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[Preacherman]

Moving this one to Shotguns...

 

[TrapperReady]

#8 Buckshot?

Are you sure it's not birdshot? If so, what are the specifics about the shells you are using? How much shot? What sort of velocity?

I've got a Montefeltro which has seen thousands of shells that will easily cycle 7/8oz light target loads with no problem, but I've seen a SBE have problems with 1 1/8 light target loads. If you are shooting an ounce or less at low(ish) velocity (around 1200fps), it may not be cycling right.

Also, was the gun new or used? Either way, did you at least field-strip it and clean all the working parts thoroughly?

 

[dukeofurl]

Winchester Super Speeds = #8's 2 3/4" Game loads is probably a better term, but more often than not any shotgun shell I have that throws lead in the form of pellets, I refer to as buckshot.

My dads old remington 1100 never had a problem, and thats one of the pickier gas operated shotgun models.

Gun was used, the action felt smooth. I did strip it to make sure everything was clean and there wasnt anything out of order.

 

[c-rum]

Two things, 1st make sure that the side saddle is not binding the action (like was already stated) 2nd you can replace the recoil spring with a reduced power recoil spring and it should cycle the light loads just fine.

 

[BillL223]

I believe, through 1000s of rounds of experience, that the Benelli is sensitive to the weight of the shot or slug. I use 1-1/8 oz. min. My ususal load which has been very reliable is Fiocchi White Rino. this runs 1250 fps. Winchester makes a similar load in their Super Sports line.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

dukeofurl,

I'm in agreement with the other posters here on this thread, check your sidesaddle.

It seems that the Benellis could be finicky on how tight the sidesaddle is installed. Also, keep in mind that Benelli recommends you run a load no less than a 2-3/4dr 1-oz through your M1S90.

With that being said, my M1s90 has no troubles with a sidesaddle (installed tight) and Walmart's "value packs". Truth be told, I can actually run down to 7/8 oz loads in mine without a hiccup.

A quick question, does your Benelli sport the pistol-gripped stock or a straight stock?

Jim

 

[Drundel]

I've got a few benellis. Is the gun new? If so, it won't cycle the 7/8 until you break it in.

Mine new SBE with a surecycle wouldn't even fire the 7/8 until I ran a few boxes of 3" duck loads through it.

 

[HSMITH]

The shells you selected are too light for the Benelli. You also added/have a side saddle which is detrimental to function in both weight and twist/binding of the action. Throw the side saddle away, get some full 1 1/8 oz 3 3/4 dram ammo and try again. The Benelli just doesn't tolerate doodads and gadgets like a gas gun or a pump will. If you need a side saddle and other gadgets get rid of the Benelli.

 

[dukeofurl]

Unbolted the side saddle. That reduced malfunctions greatly.

Then I actually did something smart - I'm used to the Remington 1100's and just putting the shotgun to my shoulder for the sake of having it rest against something. With the pistol grip on this one, I pulled it tight into my shoulder and tore off 5 shells as fast as I could with no malfs.

So I'm going to grab another box of shells and alter my stance accordingly. It was short stroking when I just shoulder the gun like normal and working fine when I pulled it into my shoulder. Anyone else have a similar affliction?

 

[firearms_instructor]

Yup. My M1S90 became bolt-action after I put a sidesaddle on it, AND I was very careful not to over-tighten the mounting bolt so as not to bind the action. Thing is, I shoot it competitively in an IPSC-style tactical shoot so I really need the sidesaddle for quick reloads. I bought a reduced recoil spring from Wolff and some heavier shells but I haven't shot it since I installed the new spring. I'll try to do that soon, and I'll post my results here when I do. But yes, the Benelli is finicky about cycling if you add extra weight to it. Here's the link to the Wolff springs:

http://www.gunsprings.com/RifleShotgun/Benelli_RsNF.html

 

[45crittergitter]

#1: The load is too light - not enough recoil.

#2: The tighter you hold it to your shoulder, the MORE likely it is to malfunction, due to the inertial operation of the Benelli. This is opposite what most autos do, but it's true. Try it with the same loads, handheld only, waist high, without the butt touching anything.

#3: Adding any mass to the gun likewise makes it more likely to malfunction, for the same reason.

The gun HAS to recoil a certain amount for the action to function. If you reduce that too much, it quits.

 

[BillL223]

I agree with reason #2 in the previous post. I lent my gun to a buddy to try some speed shooting and he locked the gun in and it didn't work 100%. Told him to relax and it ran fine. Regarding Sidesaddles, I ran the plastic kind with no problems with the screw tightened firmly but not too tight (I really doubt you can really bind the action but that seems to be conventional Benelli wisdom). Add a velcro strip for more security, or buy a 3-Gun Gear 8 round carrier that attaches only with Velcro. My well broken in gun will run with 10 in the tube, 8 in side saddles, and 5 on the buttstock, and two by the ejection port.

 

[Col Kurtz]

The side saddle screw is probably pinching the receiver and binding the action.
You can only run the gun with 5 grams of extra weight or you will start having problems due to the inertia firing pin.
You rounds must be loaded to 3 Drams ( look on side of box ) to get a stock gun to run right.
If your running with a surefire light they are known to cause problems with the barrel not seating tight which will stop the bolt from going fully into battery.
Surefire had a shim kit but you have to ask them about it.

I would pull all accessories off and start from there.