No, I wasn't joking. Their recommendation of 4 to 5 boxes was actually more than his suggestion of 50 rounds, assuming you are using a standard 25 shell box (4x25=200)

Since Dove loads are light loads and they are essentially the equivalent of light target loads. The intended use of the gun is waterfowl generally speaking, so when they refer to breaking in with "standard hunting loads" my presumption would be to use standard high brass waterfowl loads, not light dove loads. I would even bet you could find similar verbiage in the A400 manual.

I used nothing but Remington heavy dove loads...1 1/8 once. I wouldn't call that a light load. Its not a heavy load either. Seems 'standard' to me. I got the gun in august and started with dove and went to duck. Cleaning and then running the amount of shells thru it that I did....it should not have had the issues it did.

I believe 1 1/8 ounce loads are the lightest Benelli says the SBE II will cycle, even after a proper break in, so that wouldn’t be the load I’d choose to break it in with.

The point of breaking it in is to run heavy (not what you’d call a light load, but a heavy, probably 3.5” load) through it so that it will cycle the dove loads. It’s an inertia gun, so it needs the energy to cycle.

I did go to publik skool, but 4x25=200?

You sir are correct.

Sounds like his problem has nothing to do with not cleaning before he shot it or not breaking it in. Either case would give more issues with lighter loads.

Sure sounds like something isnt quite right with the gun.

Never seen that one before.

(Not in anyway saying I dot believe you)

Was it several brands of heavier loads?
Was it only 3" + shells hanging up? What about high brass 2 3/4"?