Should I get a dedicated (under 500$) clay shotgun or just get a benelli SBE2?

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Kryogen

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Should I get a dedicated (under 500$) clay shotgun or just get a benelli SBE2, and use it for waterfowl and clay? (I will probably never compete anyway). Just a social activity.

I want something that has a low felt recoil, I am a bit sick of the bruised shoulder and chin.
Right now I use a mossberg 500
 
It sounds like your primary use for the gun is waterfowling so buy the SBEII and use it for clays. Using your hunting gun for clays is excellent practice and you will drop more ducks and geese than the guy who only brings his out during the season.

One thing about the Benellis is the inertia action which is not always accommodating with lighter target loads. Stick with 1-1/8 ounce, 3 dram target loads.
 
You won't find anything in that price range worth buying other than a used 1100 or a used Super X-1. Try using a lighter load than 3 dram 1 1/8 oz. Try a 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8 or a 1 oz. load.
 
My SBE2 took a bit to break in. Out of the box it wouldn't reliably cycle my 1oz 2 3/4 dram loads, but it does now. It's comfortable to shoot, but it is very short; good for when wearing bulky warm gear, but throws me off a bit when wearing just a t-shirt
 
I agree that you won't find a good clay gun for anywhere near $500.00, That said I'd still get the Benelli and use it for both hunting and clays.
 
Kryogen said:
Should I get a dedicated (under 500$) clay shotgun or just get a benelli SBE2, and use it for waterfowl and clay? (I will probably never compete anyway). Just a social activity.

I want something that has a low felt recoil, I am a bit sick of the bruised shoulder and chin.
Right now I use a mossberg 500
Click to expand...

Get the Benelli.. you only live once..
 
Get the Benelli. If it doesn't cycle light loads then take the stock off and clean the recoil spring and tube that is in the stock. Sometimes the spring is gummed up out of the factory and cleaning it helps cycling light loads.

I have the original Black Eagle (imported by H&K) I believe. It has the removable hood on the receiver. That gun has cycled everything from 7/8 12 gauge reloads to super Mag 1 3/4?? 3" goose loads. Never misses a beat. I dropped it in a marsh while chest deep running the dog and disembelled dried/cleaned and reassembled on a floating pod before the next flock came in and it mashed out the shells like nothing had happened.

It's pounded doves in Argentina and run MANY straight rounds in skeet. I have an EOTech on a rail that I've used in close quarter deer hunting successfully several times also.

Only parts I've changed is the recoil spring, I put in a Wolfe spring as a replacement. And I replaced the original stock that I broke trying to construct an impromptu blind in a duck honey hole one day (oops). Shot the gun that day with no but pad and the right half of the wood gone, luckily the recoil spring tube wasn't bent.

Benelli inertia is being used by several manufacturers for a reason. It' unbeatable, fast and reliable.
 
If the gun fits you, i suggest it very much.
They are a charm to strip and clean (no gaz port and things).
They are lightweight (the ComfortTech stock helps tame the recoil).
Comes with 5 chokes.
The inertia system is fast.
They come with drop at heel adjustment shims.
The camo finish is beautiful.
Just shoot 2-3 box of 1500 fps steel duck shot first and then, it will cycle everything.

Mush

Do it , now ;)
 
In my opinion there is no point in having 2 shotguns (I presume that you are going to need a gun for bird) if you are only going to shoot clays for fun. I started off differently, started with shooting clays and that peaked my interest in hunting. But I use the one gun. I use my browning ultra xtr for clays and birds. It will probably benefit you more having the one gun cuz then it will not confuse the way you shoot as 2 guns might. Because no matter how you look at it you always have a mental picture how you are going to shoot something
 
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