Difference between sport / hunting models.

[ONE]

Hi all.

As a newbie I'm trying to decide on a good semi-auto shotgun to buy. It will be used in a mixed mode: trap / skeet shooting and hunting. It's hard to estimate how many rounds I'm going to put through it, but I assume up to 2000-3000 a year, unless I get really sucked in into the sport shooting.

I've tried a few guns so far and Benelli feels the best fit for me personally. Having had no previous experience with trap shooting I got 20 out of 25 with my friend's Benelli SuperSport, which I've never handled before either. It just felt really natural and convenient and was perfect for sighting. So I think I narrowed down my choices to Benelli.

Now here comes the question: there are many different models, which all look / feel almost the same. I understand that SuperSport / SuperSport 2 has the best build quality and longer lifetime resource. But are there any other differences from the hunting models like Super Black Eagle or Super Vinci? I know that "Super" means that they take up to 3.5" ammo and sport version only allows up to 3". But what really makes the SuperSport more expensive? Is it really a lot better?

Also what are the differences between SBE2 and Super Vinci? And does it make sense to invest into a camo version or using a sock is convenient enough? Is there anything else I should know about different Benelli models?

Thanks!

 

[blasted_saber]

Having never owned a Benelli I cant comment on them. I can however tell you that camo on a gun is for attracting customers, not hiding from wildlife.

 

[ONE]

Having never owned a Benelli I cant comment on them. I can however tell you that camo on a gun is for attracting customers, not hiding from wildlife.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I kind of suspected that, but still everybody either gets a camo version or uses the sock. Apparently it matters when hunting - that's what I've been told by all my hunting buddies and even at the hunting course. Having a black synthetic grip makes you stand out in the field or in the bushes. I don't have any personal experience to prove it right or wrong, so trying to understand whether it's really needed.

 

[blasted_saber]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I kind of suspected that, but still everybody either gets a camo version or uses the sock. Apparently it matters when hunting - that's what I've been told by all my hunting buddies and even at the hunting course. Having a black synthetic grip makes you stand out in the field or in the bushes. I don't have any personal experience to prove it right or wrong, so trying to understand whether it's really needed.

As a hunter, I can fully attest to the fact it doesnt. Staying still does. People were filling their freezers with all sorts of game long, LONG before camo for guns was popular.

On a side note, I was at a waterfowl hunting seminar once and the speaker told a story how he invited the farmer whos property he was hunting on to join him, and when he showed up he was in head to toe blue coveralls. The guide didnt want to be rude so he just shrugged his shoulders and got on with the hunt, not expecting to shoot anything. The farmer simply laid out in the field (didnt have a camo layout blind either) and they filled their limit quite easily.

On my own time, ive sat countless times next to swamps during big game hunts and been buzzed by ducks well within shotgun range while wearing blaze orange.

 

[Beretta687EELL]

If your main purpose is clay target shooting, I would suggest you take a good look at the Beretta 391s. They are well proven in the clay games and I see 50 of them to 1 Bennelli. I agree with Blasted regarding camo. A word of warning ... clays are far more addictive.

 

[ONE]

As a hunter, I can fully attest to the fact it doesnt. Staying still does. People were filling their freezers with all sorts of game long, LONG before camo for guns was popular.

On a side note, I was at a waterfowl hunting seminar once and the speaker told a story how he invited the farmer whos property he was hunting on to join him, and when he showed up he was in head to toe blue coveralls. The guide didnt want to be rude so he just shrugged his shoulders and got on with the hunt, not expecting to shoot anything. The farmer simply laid out in the field (didnt have a camo layout blind either) and they filled their limit quite easily.

On my own time, ive sat countless times next to swamps during big game hunts and been buzzed by ducks well within shotgun range while wearing blaze orange.

I can attest to it. When I went turkey hunting with my buddy couple of weeks ago, being just a guest with a camera, I had no camo set and was just wearing blue sport pants with a black jacket. We had a camo blind behind us hiding us from the forest, but were totally exposed towards the field with a decoy. When the gobbler came out and went to the decoy, it had a few moments where it was looking directly at us for 10-15 seconds at a time. It was around 6:20 AM and was still not fully bright outside, so I'm sure my white face and eyes were clearly visible from 20-30 yards distance on the dark forest background. So I was just holding my breath and not moving a single muscle. Then the gobbler turned away and allowed my buddy to put down the call, raise the gun and fire. He's got it.

I was really surprised that the gobbler ignored unnatural colors. But he clearly relaxed after seeing no movement, probably just thought I was part of the background. So you're probably right, staying still and quiet is the key.

 

[ONE]

If your main purpose is clay target shooting, I would suggest you take a good look at the Beretta 391s. They are well proven in the clay games and I see 50 of them to 1 Bennelli. I agree with Blasted regarding camo. A word of warning ... clays are far more addictive.

Thanks for the pointer, I'll check it out. One of my friends has it, but I never shot it yet. Will need to get to the range with him and try it.

Although my main goal would probably be hunting. At least that's what I think so far without getting really involved with clays.

 

[Suomi]

When I went turkey hunting with my buddy couple of weeks ago, being just a guest with a camera, I had no camo set and was just wearing blue sport pants with a black jacket.

I don't want to side line the thread, but blue is a colour you should not be wearing during the turkey hunt.

 

[ONE]

I don't want to side line the thread, but blue is a colour you should not be wearing during the turkey hunt.

I know. The plan was that my friend will take a spare camo set for me and I'll change when we get there, but he forgot. So I had no choice. In general of course you're right, no colors resembling turkey should be worn for the safety's sake.

 

[Suomi]

I know. The plan was that my friend will take a spare camo set for me and I'll change when we get there, but he forgot. So I had no choice. In general of course you're right, no colors resembling turkey should be worn for the safety's sake.

No worries! I just wanted to make sure we are all safe out there.