tbox Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Evening fellas, Looking for a bit of advise. In the market for a semi auto for wildfowling. Looking at either the Benelli M2 or Super Black Eagle. The only difference as far as I can tell is that the SBE has 3 1/2 inch chamber. Does this offer any significant advantage or should I should I go with the m2 in 3inch and spend the change on carts?! Cheers Tbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I would go sbe but only because i think it is a nicer handling gun, jus my opinion. Plenty of 3inch cartridges that are up to the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 If you can afford it, go for the 3 1/2, it just gives you that extra choice of cartridges and about 6 grams more steel in the cartridges! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbox Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks For the responses. Looks like SBE would be the best way to go. Wish Beretta did the A400 for lefties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 For most duck shooting a 3 inch load of steel will do the job fine , but 3 inch steel loads are a bit limiting when it comes to geese. The extra payload of a 3.5 inch shell does make a big difference in pattern for 50 yard geese when using the large shot size needed at this range when using steel. Also think about getting a good tight afterchoke when goose shooting . The difference it makes is astounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowl jon Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 The 3.5" will be an advantage if foreshore geese are your quarry. Also if you are thinking about reloading I have found its sometimes difficult to keep a 3" loaded cartridge length as short as a fatory cartridge, this doesn't cause me a problem with the SBE but jams my friends 3" chambered gun every time. Not important if you only intend to shoot factory loads but you never know! Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbox Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for the input lads. Sounds like a bit more investment up front will leave me with more options in the future. Think I'll give my RFD a call in the morning and change my order from the M2 to SBE! Apparently GMK can't even give him a delivery date on a lefty yet so I shouldn't think it'll cause a problem. Cheers again, Tbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris o Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Personaly I would opt for the 3.5 chamber as you get extra shot and better shot choice for the geese plus you can still use 3 inch shells in it aswell for duck. But the 3 and half inch gun is a far better choice for all round use for inland and for the shore. All the best chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I think a lot are forgetting that a lot of 3 1/2" guns are problematic with lighter duck loads. Although I choose 3 1/2" shells for geese I have dropped just as many with 3" no3 when after duck, many I shoot with down all their geese with 3" no 1. because they use 3" guns. Bigger payloads can also reduce speed. Get them in range and they come down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Boots Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 All my shooting on the shore is with a 3inch over and under as I shoot well with it. I've never felt undergunned or restricted in any way using 3" shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 It may be a psychological point but I feel that 3.5 inch guns are tougher and therefore more durable. Why? Because they have to be to take 3.5 inch loads. I should also add that I only use 3 inch cartridges but in a 3.5 inch gun. I think it like a 1.0 litre engine running at 70mph compared to a 2.0 litre engine. Both will go at the same speed but Which will wear out first? It could all be psychological too ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 If the money is there go for the SBE2. Especially if you use steel, I opened up a Gamebore Mommoth 3" 36g No1 and the pellet count was 155. Which isnt really a lot, I upgraded to the SBE2 as I wanted to use 3 1/2 inch BB of steel a 42gram load which I would say would be your minimum cartridge for foreshore Geese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) What did we all do when we just had standard 3in chambers and nothing else!!!! Yes, I have a 3.5in Chambered semi but to date have never used a 3.5in shell and never found the need to. Edited January 21, 2013 by Yoggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 What did we all do when we just had standard 3in chambers and nothing else!!!! Managed fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Managed fine! Exactly..........we`ve all been sucked in by clever marketing and sales hype...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pestcontrol1 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 i have shot most of my geese this year with home loaded 3" steel and theres a lad on hear who could tel you how well they killed i use a 3-1/2" baikal but only use 3-1/2" shell for high geese i think i have used about 12 upto now this season acounting for 8 geese. sa for troublesum 3-1/2" autos i have shot clays with 21g and shoot alot of 24g steel (pigeons) and it don"t miss abeat. I find you have alot more scope cartridge wise with the bigger chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) Exactly..........we`ve all been sucked in by clever marketing and sales hype...... I use 3 1/2 inch but through 10bore 3inch steel through 12 for duck The 3 1/2 magnum 12 seems to of made some people think that they can shoot geese miles high Edited January 21, 2013 by TJ91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) Its got nothing to do with sales hype . A 3.5 inch shell gives a better pattern with big pellets at long range. We did not need a 3.5 inch shell in the old lead days because we could use smaller more dense lead pellets to maintain pattern at long range.Its a different story for steel. Edited January 21, 2013 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowl jon Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Have to agree with anser2 the necessity for a 3.5" has come about due to lead shot restrictions. A 3" 50g no3 lead load will out pattern and penetrate better than most if not all non toxic loads but is no longer legal. 3.5" larger pellet loads have been designed to try to maintain pattern and lethal energy at reasonable shotgun distances. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Have to agree with anser2 the necessity for a 3.5" has come about due to lead shot restrictions. A 3" 50g no3 lead load will out pattern and penetrate better than most if not all non toxic loads but is no longer legal. 3.5" larger pellet loads have been designed to try to maintain pattern and lethal energy at reasonable shotgun distances. Jon 34 gram bb,s is all ive needed in 3 inch for geese{steel}.limit your range,vinci with 1/4 choke, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowl jon Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I agree you can cleanly drop a goose with 34g of steel bb's if you limit your range suitably. Personally I would prefer to have the densest pattern I can get for me this is means 3.5". Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 34 gram bb,s is all ive needed in 3 inch for geese{steel}.limit your range,vinci with 1/4 choke, Limiting your range is all well and good if the geese let you. Sometimes on the marsh the geese might all be 50+ yards. You can use pretty much ANY non toxic load if range is reduced. Watch the Chris green wildfowling dvds - they kill Canadas using 32gm 5 bismuth,but at under 30 yards. Usually, i'll want as big a load as i can get when the geese are likely to be high. I've used some 2oz hevishot loads on the pinks for the last couple of seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I've used some 2oz hevishot loads on the pinks for the last couple of seasons. Ouch. That will give some good rangey kills. Bet it hurts your pocket though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 One had a bite anyway!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varminator Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I can only provide advice on the older versions and you need to stay away from them as they have issues. Soumnds like some of the members have newer versions which seem fine but you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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