I am looking to get a new semi auto 12 gauge for everything from shooting clays with buddies in the back yard, rabbit hunting, duck hunting, goose hunting, possibly even deer hunting. I want 3.5" chambers, that is a must. I was wondering if anyone has experience with either of these guns? Which gun better cycles light loads? Has more choke tube selection? Functions better? Better value? Any information would be appreciated. Size wize I am 6'1" 220lbs with broad shoulders. Recoil isn't a huge issue either as far as that goes. Am also looking for a light gun.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 or Beretta Xtrema 2
- Thread starter Nathan231
- Start date
I ended up with an extrema and my buddy had an M2 last year and switching to the Vinci this year.
Several reason I ended up with mine instead of the SBE.
1) LOP and drop in stock are both adjustable. With the benelli, if the lop isn't right, you'll have to buy another pad. With the beretta, I can try out 4 lop adjustment out of the box and I ended up finding a stock dimension that fits me great.
2) No recoil spring in stock. After a long day out in the rain, I always make sure I dry and clean the recoil spring. With the beretta, there is nothing in the stock, just one less step to do after a long day on the field.
3) Rust resistance is one of the best I've seen short of a full stainless rifle. The outside of the barrel is some sort of anodized finish. Instead of watching the bluing rust away in the rain, I am now confident that the gun will not rust until I get home and take it down. No more hosing down a wet gun with G96 and shoving it in a gun case and drive an hour home and worry about rusting.
4) I know you said recoil isn't an issue, but pumping out 20 rds or so of turkey loads including some 2oz 3.5er, it nice to wake up and not see a nice purple bump on your shoulder.
Its a bit more bulky in built, but not too much more in weight comparing to SBE.
For 400 bucks less, I think they beretta is a better deal as well.
Several reason I ended up with mine instead of the SBE.
1) LOP and drop in stock are both adjustable. With the benelli, if the lop isn't right, you'll have to buy another pad. With the beretta, I can try out 4 lop adjustment out of the box and I ended up finding a stock dimension that fits me great.
2) No recoil spring in stock. After a long day out in the rain, I always make sure I dry and clean the recoil spring. With the beretta, there is nothing in the stock, just one less step to do after a long day on the field.
3) Rust resistance is one of the best I've seen short of a full stainless rifle. The outside of the barrel is some sort of anodized finish. Instead of watching the bluing rust away in the rain, I am now confident that the gun will not rust until I get home and take it down. No more hosing down a wet gun with G96 and shoving it in a gun case and drive an hour home and worry about rusting.
4) I know you said recoil isn't an issue, but pumping out 20 rds or so of turkey loads including some 2oz 3.5er, it nice to wake up and not see a nice purple bump on your shoulder.
Its a bit more bulky in built, but not too much more in weight comparing to SBE.
For 400 bucks less, I think they beretta is a better deal as well.
It tried them all, factory set up, and went with the sbe II 26". Had an 1100 and an 11-87 before it and was tired of piston maintenance and problems. Very happy with the simple and easy to clean system. Wanted a 24" barrel, but couldn't get one. My hunting partener has a Vinci (not the supervinci) and it is lighter but bulkier and has more felt recoil with big loads. Both function great with any ammo, even 1 oz loads.
Not sure if you care about volume, but the sbeII has a mag extension you can get so it will hold 5, 2 3/4's. Also has the ability to float an extra shell in the receiver.
Don't know anyone with a Beretta so I don't know how they compare in the field, I've only shot a few rounds of skeet to try one out. It was great, just went with the simple sbe system.
Not sure if you care about volume, but the sbeII has a mag extension you can get so it will hold 5, 2 3/4's. Also has the ability to float an extra shell in the receiver.
Don't know anyone with a Beretta so I don't know how they compare in the field, I've only shot a few rounds of skeet to try one out. It was great, just went with the simple sbe system.
10 years of waterfowl guiding has shown me the Beretta is an unbelieveable gun (it basically never jams no matter what you do). I bought one and it has proven itself time and time again. The super vinci is also a great option as it can be field stripped into three pieces in less than a minute - also seemingly has very little recoil. Put a patternmaster choke tube in it and you will kill a pile of birds without having to resort to the 3.5 inch shells that the extrema will handle.
I have an extrema II, a buddy has Urika,, couple other buddys shoot SBE II's all are excellent guns. I just couldnt stand the look of the forearm on the SBE II. Urika isnt capable of 3.5". Extrema is a little bulky but I like that in a shotgun. I dont have kick-off on my extrema and honestly dont see a need for it,, although 3.5" hevi-shot turkey loads are a little heavy on the shoulder,, but you only shoot one of those at a time!
I have/had both for years - long enough to wear out and replace the ejectors on both guns. They are both excellent, reliable autoloaders. The Xtrema2 K/O does a better job of managing recoil, the SBEII is a lighter, faster handling gun. Having said that I wouldn't buy either now. I'd pick up the A400 Xplorer and/or Vinci, both of which are improvements over their predecessors. I'm waiting for the Xplorer to come out in synthetic and my Xtrema2 will follow my old SBEII down the road - I really like the recoil management of the Berettas on our high volume sngo/rogo hunts.
I voted the Beretta because they will shoot 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 " shells. If I was lazy and did'nt clean my guns then I would buy the Benelli, but I do clean my guns after each hunt, so I would buy the Beretta personally. If I did'nt have any interest in shooting 2 3/4 loads, then I would probably pick the Benelli because it feels lighter, and more skinny in my hands, and I go hunting in some pretty narling swamps, were I carry a gun one handed alot as I'm wading through chest deep water.
