Beretta A400 xtreme vs Benelli Super Black Eagle 2

[stubblejumper]

I finally had a chance to compare these two shotguns side by side, and my observations are below.

The SBE2 was previously unfired, and the A400 Xtreme Unico, had fired a couple of boxes or so.

Reliability wise, both guns functioned flawlessly with all five loads, ranging from 3 dram 2-3/4" target loads to 2-3/4" heavy field loads,to 3" waterfowl loads.

Recoil wise, the A400 was the clear winner, with the 3" waterfowl loads feeling like target loads in the SBE2.

The trigger on the A400 was noticeably lighter.

I prefer the safety behind the trigger guard, as on the SBE2.

I much preferred the high rib of the SBE2, and it swung a little better for me.

The SBE2 is easier to clean and lube.

Now I need to wait until our trap and skeet club opens in spring, to see which gun I shoot better.

My friend brought along his new A400 Xplor Action, and it functioned fine with the 3" loads, but it would not cycle any of the other loads.

 

[Cinch]

Having owned both and shooting/hunting them a lot my experience/opinion is much the same as yours (with the exception of cleaning). I just wish Benelli or Beretta would come out with a gun that swings/handles like a SBEII but with the recoil (lack thereof) of the Xtreme...

Not surprising the new Xplor would not cycle light loads. My Xtreme wouldn't cycle target loads when it was new either, I just ran a couple boxes of heavy game loads through it like the manual suggests and now it cycles everything from 24gram target loads to the heaviest hunting loads.

 

[rembolt]

Having owned both and shooting/hunting them a lot my experience/opinion is much the same as yours (with the exception of cleaning). I just wish Benelli or Beretta would come out with a gun that swings/handles like a SBEII but with the recoil (lack thereof) of the Xtreme...

Not surprising the new Xplor would not cycle light loads. My Xtreme wouldn't cycle target loads when it was new either, I just ran a couple boxes of heavy game loads through it like the manual suggests and now it cycles everything from 24oz target loads to the heaviest hunting loads.

I think you ment 24 gram target loads .

 

[stubblejumper]

Not surprising the new Xplor would not cycle light loads. My Xtreme wouldn't cycle target loads when it was new either, I just ran a couple boxes of heavy game loads through it like the manual suggests and now it cycles everything from 24oz target loads to the heaviest hunting loads.

The Xplor has the Pod on it which indicated 46 rounds fired when the gun was received. Since then, the owner has put three boxes of heavy field loads through the gun, and it still won't cycle anything but 3" loads. I cleaned it today, and lubed it, cycled the action a few hundred times by hand, and lubed it again, so hopefully it will cycle target loads on the next trip to the range.