I was just about to pull the trigger on a SBE3 28" barrel but man I have been reading nothing but terrible reviews on this gun. Can anyone chime in with their own experience?

Man I have had a SBE2 for the last 4 years. Only issue I have is the thing hates Kent shells but if I load any other shell in the thing from dove loads to 3.5's for Sandhills, it performs admirably. Buy it. Just don't clean it much !

My 2 cents.

4W

Agree with 4Weight. My SBE2 hates Kent shells too! Lol

I shoot the III love it, shoots great not high.

I read all the BS on them too, thats what it is BS. you can either shoot or you cant,

I have a SBE2 and 3. Admittedly, I’m still trying to get used to the 3. It is by no means a bad gun, but it does shoot a little differently than the 2 for me. I started getting my muscle memory down at the end of dove season but need to go back and pick it up again for clays.

The gun is a great invcremental version. I love that I don’t rip my thumb open loading shells anymore. The fore grip is nice in the curvature, and it just feels better shouldering than my 2. All in practicing more with it though.

Have a 2 and 3. Prefer the 2. Both shoot Kent’s just fine.

Its well documented here on my bad luck I had on my SBE2. I'm sure it was a Lemmon...they all produce one now and then. I went back to my dealer (B&S guns) and they could not believe my gun was that bad. I told them no big deal but I'm buying another gun. They said get another SBE2 or beretta 400. They said look around our store...do you see any SBE3's? Nope I said. Its cause the problems they were seeing and the feed back on them.

Take that for what its worth.

P.S. I got the beretta and as happy as pigs in slop. There is NO SHELL that that gun will not cycle.

HAD a 3. Gun shot WAY high. Sent it to Benelli & they said it was in spec. Got it back no difference. Sold the gun & will never buy another benelli. Seems some are good, some not. Take your chances if you want one.

Love mine. Performed flawlessly at St Paul Island, AK in the hardest conditions I’ve encountered in 30 years of chasing ducks.

Love mine.
Had an original SBE and it shot low left and I never could get used to that. Sold it
SBE3 has done great, patterns right on with everything from Dove loads thru Turkey loads and have never had a failure to feed or eject. Kents work fine in mine.

Mine loves Kent or any shell. Never an issue. Had 10 years, cleaned it in the lake many times.

with all the shims which come with theses guns, you can make it fit.

if this gun doesn't shoot for you its NOT the gun, you need to take up tennis. Its easy for a sorry shooter to blame the gun. "experts" trash them Shotgunworld.com because they prefer another brand.

I hate Berretta, don't know why but would never buy one

I have my eye on the new Etho's Sporting coming out.

I have my SBE III for everything from doves to Sporting Clays leagues, no problems, except with MY shooting.

Don't know where you are looking to buy your SBE 3 but gunbroker.com has some for about what you would pay in a store but no tax no credit card fees and free shipping.
I love my M2. Just shoot at ducks, don't need 3 1/2"

Don't know why mine dislikes the Kents. Havent had issue with any other shells, from junk to expensive. I liked the Kents too, but oh well. And nothing wrong with lake cleaning, sometimes thats all it will see to end of season!

WRONG! What your trying to sell here is that Benelli, Beretta or Browning NEVER spit out a Lemmon ?

I had too many guys, some who shoot there own SBE2 with no problems shoot mine and they all had problems with mine. And if a gun is THAT dam particular to get to shoot....I'll just go another route....which I did. I dam near got another SBE2 cause I like the way the gun fit and handled....arguably better than my A400 now. And the chances of 2 lemons in a row are slim to none. It just jammed SOOOOOOOOOOO many times.

I'm happy with my A400 cause it shoots EVERY shell I run thru it....all the different brands I tried to run thru my SBE2

A400

A400 all the way !!!

I am by no means an expert and since I load my own (bismuth)just curious about the Kent Shells. I shot a few B&P shot shells and the 2 3/4" shells kicked like magnums, if the Kents are hot and they don't cycle through your recoil operated guns could it be your not holding the gun tight to your shoulder? Like I said I'm no expert and I didn't sleep at Holiday Inn last night.

Not sure about the other guys who are having cycling issues with Kents but as for my SBE2 I tried a lot of brands...held with a death grip to a soft pudding grip and all I got was more jamming than Smukers Strawberry flavor!

The only weird thing about it was heavy dove loads from Remington would never jam. It was just the duck loads....which is counter to the norm.

TJbev13

don't be skeerd, go for it!!

Dang, this sucks to read.

http://www.randywakeman.com/TheDesignDefectoftheBenelliSuperBlackEagle3.htm

Sounds like a $10 stiffer recoil springs might solve that problem.

Never had a Benelli that didn't pattern high. Obviously, Randy's discussion shows it extremely high. I would also add that he has a bone to pick with Benelli which can be seen on a number of forums.

Assuming he has cracked the nut on this, why didn't he just fire it in a vice where the stock isn't used? I do think there is an issue with it shooting high, but I don't know that the stock is the reason otherwise all guns would have the issue rather than some of them.

I have the II and run Kents through it most of the time. Never had any issues with it but I also don't clean it much either. Wipe it down is about it.

Whatever you do, clean all the packaging oil off it before you shoot it, and research best way to break it in....

Randy wakeman is a "know it all idiot". Thinks he's Gods gift to shotguns Like I showed above, its more the shooter than the gun 99% of the time.

This is all I needed to know about the III, I ain't blowing $1500+ when my $1000 SBE II Classic is basically the same gun and hits where I point

I no longer feel the need for 3.5 inch shells. Even with cranes, if I can't kill them with 3 inchers. its my fault. We have all switched to M2's, lighter, faster, balance better... Benelli customer service has always been top notch, the 2-3 times we've needed something in 32 years in this business. Can't say the same for others.

Yes, nobody trust the “know it all idiot” who provided several owner testimonies as well as some actual evidence and analysis. Definitely trust the guy who is not a “know it all” at all and posted a picture of a gun with some doves next to it. Obviously, one picture of some dead doves with an SBE III in the background proves that Randy Wakeman and all the other haters just can’t shoot and are blaming it on the gun. All those people quoted in the article are just “know it alls,” so listen to Buzzsaw because he actually knows it all.

I do think Randy put "some" effort into it but not enough. His hypothesis is that it is all the stock. Unfortunately, he failed to do actual testing to determine if his hypothesis is correct or not. Why not put a SBEII stock on it? Why not put it in a vice? Why not do something to see if you're right or not.

I don't think dead birds show whether it works or not, but I also do not think that something that has to be consistent, like a flawed structural design (i.e. rigidity of the stock), would show inconsistent results like what we are seeing and has been alluded to in this thread.

Don't listen to me though, my advice is only worth what you paid for it

Are people still guzzling the Randy Wakeman love juice over on ShotgunWorld?

No!

David said his repeatedly shot high even after going back to Benelli. He wasn't the only one, numerous shooters on various forums reported that after going to the III from the II. Shims were of no help and the majority reported it was the design of the stock, some going as far as to swap stocks and report the problem went away.

A couple of years ago we bought 5 of the SBE II classics, without the Comfortec stock and I quit shooting my Comfortec version altogether. For a $1060 it was a superb buy. I recently bought a M2 Classic from Cabela's after they offered to match Dunn's price of $699, they can keep the IIIs, IVs and whatever else they come up with. Unless it is an Auto-5, I am
done buying SA shotguns.

OK, so here's a challenge. A lot of speculation here. So many people viewing. Why doesn't someone give us an actual test?
There must be somebody on here with an SBE III living in the country. Why not go out back, nail up butcher paper with a bullseye, aim, shoot three times, and tell us where you gun shoots?
I'd do it but I don't have a III. I did it with my Vinci, and it shot dead center. A Yildiz OU not so much. But that's a different story.

I will when I get a chance. I have a bunch of patterning targets I may only get access to 25 yards.

What choke do ya'll want me to put in? I will shoot premium AA's Super Sport 8's.

The fullest/tightest choke you have.

Thanks Judd, I'll try to get this done ASAP. I patterned it at 30 yards at Elm fork and patterns were perfect of center hold. I was standing so, not rock steady. I think I can shoot it again at The Frisco Gun Clubs indoor range off a solid rest.

When I say perfect, Most pellets were on top of center with some under. I had no trouble on birds if I did my part But this doesn't satisfy the wakeman following, I did well in a down pour rain storm during a sporting clays tournament but this doesn't matter either.

I think some people commenting here do more reading than shooting but I'll do the drill, he77, I've been wrong before.

i'll report back with pictures asap.

Just because yours hits where you are aiming doesn't mean every single III does. I have seen numerous threads on the subject from various posters, on various forums and the result was the same, they returned it to Benelli and Benelli said there was nothing wrong with the gun. I am quite certain that DUKFVR knows how to pattern a gun and his gun shot high regardless of what he did and what Benelli said.

Why spend $1500 - $1700 on the chance yours is going to be POI/POA?

So tell me more about this. You said the stock design was the issue. If it was a stock design issue, then why doesn’t every single IIi have a POI/POA problem?

If you would have said it’s a bad quality rate on barrels, then I wouldn’t be so adamant. By the way, can you point me in the direction of the posts/articles where people tried other stocks on it? No sarcasm when I say I truly am interested in reading what they tried and the results.

You guys know it's fit that determines where the pattern hits the target, if you have a low mount the pattern hits high. Some people just don't like some brands of firearms, I'm not a fan of Browning A-5s

I've read all the stories, same with the Dan Wesson 1911's "they all shoot high" BS. I've owned two Dan Wesson Specialist a .45ACP and a .9mm both shot POA.

Barny is correct above. Beretta makes great gas operated shotguns BUT to me the rear comb is too high, I see WAY to much rib, yes it could be adjusted but the Benelli just fits me great. I've owned SBE I, SBE II and now III. I read all the articles and as long as the gun fit me, I knew I could shoot it.

Operator Error

Now, if there was a problem , I will never say yes, did Benelli fix it before I bought mine this time last year. I don't know.

I will still pattern mine again just to make a few of you happy. Frisco Gun Club said no because the pellets damaged their target carriers, so wjhen I can get to Garland, I'll pattern again

Google SBE III shoots high:

I counted 7 different forums with post regarding them shooting high

Ask DUKFVR, his shot high, sent it to Benelli, they returned it saying it was within spec. I trust David 100% with his diagnosis. If every shotgun shot POI/POA for everyone, they wouldn't have shims. But for a company to return a shotgun saying it was in spec when the shooter couldn't regulate it is BS.

Anywhere you can go and shoot one before buying?

I’m just going to grab my popcorn and take a back seat. I’m getting too frustrated with people not keeping their stories straight, and I could be significantly more entertained at some of the ignorance and politician-in-training tendencies rather than having educated discussions.

Topic is Benelli autoloaders shoot like cross eyed Uncle Jim Bob. Talk amongst yourselves

I contacted benelli, they said I have the only one which shoots straight


jeeeeez

Finally, here are pictures of todays patterning. I hope they turned out ok. As far as I can see this SBE III shoots right where it should.

I put the full choke in, measured 30 yards and took 3 shots at each target. I used Winchester AA Super Sport loads 3-1 1/8, #8's, and Clever Mirage 28gr, T2 Competition LITE, 1200FPS, #8's.

I aimed right at the "clay"

looks like a broken clay to me...

Looks a little high to me.

So, since yours hits exactly where you "aimed" proves what? That everyone else that had one that shot high was wrong?

I am happy for you, that is what you want, but it doesn't solve the issue that numerous people reported.

If you are looking straight down the barrel, how can it shoot high? Unless the barrel is not straight.

There is nothing wrong with the SBE III. If it fits you it will shoot where you look. If the stock has too much drop for you, it will shoot low. Not enough drop and it will shoot high. Poi high or low is also influenced by length of pull, pitch of the butt, and style of rib. One size does not fit all, nor do all shotgunners prefer the same sight picture. Inconsistent poi is almost always a function of the shooter not having a consistent mount.

Just mess’n with ya buz!

LOL that is golden

Zactly!

I normally know I'm right when randy wakeman says I'm wrong about a shotgun or gauge.

I don't know, maybe because the rib and the barrel are not parallel, much like a scope is not parallel to the bore of a rifle.

The problem isn't that one shoots where it should, it was the fact that so many people reported that theirs didn't, even after a trip back to Benelli.

A lot of people report bigfoot, black cougars, and UFOs as well. The problem as I see it, there are no facts that explain why they are shooting high. And that should be something easy to identify.

I seriously doubt he has reason to embellish the facts, known him way to long and know for a fact he knows his way around a shotgun.

such

if I was a bad shot, id blame the gun too.

Yeah but why is it shooting high? It could be how he mounts the gun and fit. If there was something wrong with the gun, that should be an issue easy to identify.

It's comb height...period...sounds like nelli put the shims in a range that wasn't conducive to some folks.

This is exactly why some folks have adjustable combs on their shotguns...you can really tune one to shoot the way you want it too. It's also what the shims are supposed to do. I was in between two shims on my Vinci so I made a brass shim to stack on their shim to get it where I wanted it. I also had a Winchester SX3 (softest recoiling 12ga I've owned) but I couldn't get the comb high enough without a wrap...sold it and went to a 391 Beretta.

OK here you go. Not enough drop to accommodate his mount. On a shotgun the stock is the rear sight. How you cheek it positions your eye is relation to the sight picture. Shoot it at 16 yards. Now find the center of the pattern in relation to the point of aim. Measure the drop and cast at the butt. Shim the stock in the direction you want to move the pattern. 1/16" will move the pattern 1" at 16 yards. In other words, adding 1/4" of drop at the butt will lower the pattern 8" at 32 yards. Do the math and adjust the fit to shoot where you look.
Edited to add- or find one that fits out of the box if you can.

Y'all enjoy, I am done

and don't look back

crisis averted

I've got an SBE2 & SBE3 and no issues, and I wouldn't want to shoot anything else. I used to have an A400 and it was also a great gun but after several issues of it not cycling in extreme cold on a few hunts up north, I went to inertia. The A400 served as my backup until the SB3 came out.

Most important thing in any of this is to get a gun that "fits" you. If it doesn't fit you properly and you don't shoulder it properly, then you are going to shoot off target. Both the Benelli and Beretta (who owns Benelli by the way) come with adjustable shims to help cure these issues.

I love my Benelli SBE 2 and never had any issues hunting Turkey, Dove or Quail. It does not get as dirty as my gas guns. A simple wipe down on the inertia system and barrel and be done. I also use it for Skeet at Elm Fork. Don't know of anyone ever having trouble with theirs either.

Made it out to Fossil Pointe this morning for some clays. First time I've picked up my SBE3 since October and hit a 67. I guess I should be shooting in the 90's with its brother, the SBE2 in my cabinet, based on Randy's hypothesis.

DAMN!
I wish I had read this before buying one a couple of weeks ago.

YMMV -- your mileage may vary. See above, several of us have no issues with ours.

OK. Let me back off on this and withdraw my opinion until later.

I will go out to the local range and pattern my SBEIII before adding my opinion. I did follow the included instructions and adjusted the cast and drop.

While out there i will hire one of the instructors to observe my mount and help me improve my form.

I just recently got back in to shotgunning since I cant ride anymore. I am truly enjoying this sport.

I, also, am enjoying reading these informative posts.

OK.
What a hot day it was.
My "patterning" was very simple.
I wanted to see what my shotgun does.
At 25 yards my SBEIII shoots pretty flat. I held the bead directly on center of target with the shotgun in a Caldwell rest. I'm happy with it and knowing this should improve my clay shooting.

Now simulate a bird flying and try mounting and shooting instinctively and see where your pattern hits.

This really has nothing to do with what Floresrsr is doing. He made sure his Benelli is shooting where he is looking, proper fit.

NOW , as to your comment, its on Floresrsr to do HIS part not Benelli's part. Gun is GTG.

Yeah, you are going to wish you had bought a Beretta.

Looking forward to it

Looking forward to it