28G semi auto

reddog

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Let's try this again looking at the Benelli 28g SBE 3 or the Beretta upland in 28g.I know there are several (you BB) that have exp. with one or both.Looking to replace my Weatherby which is in for Warranty and will hopefully one day return.Not interested in 12 or 20 or O/U ,OR SXS .Opinions on each thank you RD
 
I had a Beretta A400 Xplor in 28 gauge and it was a great gun. No issues, ran like a champ on the skeet field, farm fields, and in the marsh (ducks over decoys). Sold it on a whim, that's the only reason. Have been reading up on the SBE 3 in 28 but concerned in regards to point of aim etc like the bigger versions.
 
My a400 xplor 28 is still running flawless. Swings fast and smooth. Not really a fan of the upland styling with the number 28 plastered on the side. If they kept the same lazer engravings as the other upland I think it would have looked alot better. That's just a personal thing though
 
I’ve also got the A400 xplor. The only flaw is that Federal (#6) hulls tend to hang up upon ejection, functions with everything else
 
Excellent ,Thank you ,yes the Benelli POI is one thing I have been wondering about.The Benelli Rafafaello is another consideration is it different than the SBE? I know it does not come in 3" but am not sure how much of a factor that is.
 
With the cost of standard steel in 28ga I'd wager bismuth would be cheaper than any 3" steel shell so with that in mind I would not put stock in a 3" chamber myself
 
I've shot both guns at clay targets. Both worked fine. My choice would be the A400 because it handled better for me. I found the Benelli too light and struggled to maintain a smooth swing.
 
I've shot both guns at clay targets. Both worked fine. My choice would be the A400 because it handled better for me. I found the Benelli too light and struggled to maintain a smooth swing.

I had a Briley weighted forend cap for my Beretta, nice smooth swing.
 
Appreciate that 28,probably one of the closest decisions I have struggled with as I shot both in 12g.The Benelli I could only find in a 26" barrel and had that with my Weatherby. Found my swing choppy? as all my target guns are 30+ in length decided to go to the longer barrel. What might happen is the Benelli might find its way to my house in the future sigh,,,
 
Fly in ointment for you….Beretta makes a full size, 12 Gauge shotgun ( real wood, 28” barrel, 3” chamber)
That weighs 6 pounds. Yes, 6 lbs. I know, cause I have one.It’s called Beretta Ultralite and is rare to find, but there are a few around.It is more common in Europe.I think the Gun Dealer may have one left.
It has very nice Blink system auto, and is great to shoot.Only thing lighter is my 20 gauge Benelli Legacy at 5 lb. 12 oz., but that’s a 20 gauge. I was going to get a 28 but with the punch of a 12, price of 28 gauge ammo compared to 12 gauge ammo, and the real wood… etc. it was a good choice for me.
With 2 3/4 loads it’s soft shooting too.I pat my self on the back every time I hike up a mountain for blues, or scramble after Chukars with it and a bird gets up at 40yds….
 
The 28 ga Beretta Xplor A400 with a 28" barrel weighs exactly 5# 8oz empty in stock form. It is turned into my favorite BC hunting shotgun and I've got some nice SxSs, O/Us and M12s to pick from in .410 thru 16 ga. I reload and use 7/8 oz of hard lead #6 shot, a BPI wad shot through the Modified choke for chukars, blues & sharptails. Sometimes open up to a skeet choke for early season ruffs.

For target use I bought a magazine cap assembly that comes with the A400 Xcel Black as it adds 3 or 4 oz to the overall weight...but never use the heavy cap hunting as you have 3 cartridges in the gun anyway. You can get them from Stoeger Canada, the Beretta importer and parts people, as well as various lengths of field sized MicroCore recoil pads that fit the gun perfectly and come in lengths from .4" to 1" in 0.2" increments.

The only drawback to the Xpor is that it flings the empty cases a long ways. Not a problem on our local skeet field but results in a lot of lost cases on the sporting clays ranges. Had it for over 2 years and would buy one again.
 
The 28 ga Beretta Xplor A400 with a 28" barrel weighs exactly 5# 8oz empty in stock form. It is turned into my favorite BC hunting shotgun and I've got some nice SxSs, O/Us and M12s to pick from in .410 thru 16 ga. I reload and use 7/8 oz of hard lead #6 shot, a BPI wad shot through the Modified choke for chukars, blues & sharptails. Sometimes open up to a skeet choke for early season ruffs.

For target use I bought a magazine cap assembly that comes with the A400 Xcel Black as it adds 3 or 4 oz to the overall weight...but never use the heavy cap hunting as you have 3 cartridges in the gun anyway. You can get them from Stoeger Canada, the Beretta importer and parts people, as well as various lengths of field sized MicroCore recoil pads that fit the gun perfectly and come in lengths from .4" to 1" in 0.2" increments.

The only drawback to the Xpor is that it flings the empty cases a long ways. Not a problem on our local skeet field but results in a lot of lost cases on the sporting clays ranges. Had it for over 2 years and would buy one again.

While I like the weight, I find O/U, or SxS guns much easier to carry, broken over my shoulder, vs having to carry a semi auto in your hands.
 
The 28 ga Beretta Xplor A400 with a 28" barrel weighs exactly 5# 8oz empty in stock form. It is turned into my favorite BC hunting shotgun and I've got some nice SxSs, O/Us and M12s to pick from in .410 thru 16 ga. I reload and use 7/8 oz of hard lead #6 shot, a BPI wad shot through the Modified choke for chukars, blues & sharptails. Sometimes open up to a skeet choke for early season ruffs.

For target use I bought a magazine cap assembly that comes with the A400 Xcel Black as it adds 3 or 4 oz to the overall weight...but never use the heavy cap hunting as you have 3 cartridges in the gun anyway. You can get them from Stoeger Canada, the Beretta importer and parts people, as well as various lengths of field sized MicroCore recoil pads that fit the gun perfectly and come in lengths from .4" to 1" in 0.2" increments.

The only drawback to the Xpor is that it flings the empty cases a long ways. Not a problem on our local skeet field but results in a lot of lost cases on the sporting clays ranges. Had it for over 2 years and would buy one again.

My xplor 28 spits the cases nearly to the next station on the skeet field
 
My xplor 28 spits the cases nearly to the next station on the skeet field

That is about the same distance mine throws the cases. Wonder if a bit stiffer bolt return spring (the one that is located around the magazine tube) would reduce the distance the empties go? Never heard of anyone putting a different one in though.
 
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