Benelli M2 vs SBE II

[30-06 lover]

I am looking for a new shotgun (the weight of the wood 11-87 is killing me on weekend pheasant hunts) and am looking at the Benelli SEE II or the M2 12 gauge.

The only difference I can find between the two is the SBE shoots 3 1/2 inch loads while the M2 will only shoot 3 inch loads. Is that the only difference?

I hunt pheasants more than any other bird, followed by ducks & geese, chuckar, quail, and doves, in that order. As you can see I shoot a lot of small upland birds so I am wondering if the SBE will cycle light loads like #8 1 1/8 loads? Will the M2 if the SBE won't?

Of those two, which do you think will be a better shotgun for my needs? Thanks!

 

[throdgrain]

I bought an M2 because my mate has a SBE and its not quite so good at cycling lighter loads (28gr) and as I do a lot of clay shooting this is my main load. Indeed for pigeon or rabbit hunting I also mostly use 28gr (thats one ounce in old money ) so again the M2 comes out on top.

Added to that is the M2 is a bit cheaper, and also looks better to me (completely subjective I know) , I like the less angular trigger guard on the M2.

 

[jmr40]

They are really 2 different guns. With Remington the, 1100 and 11-87 are very similar in apperance with only some differences to allow the 11-87 to shoot both 2 3/4" as well as 3" shells. The Benellis are quite different in appearance if you see them side by side.

I have the older M1 and prefer it to the SBE. Unless you plan to shoot a lot of 3 1/2" shells I would reccomend the M2.
The M2 will shoot 2 3/4 shells and 3" just like the 1187 you currently have. The SBE is supposed to shoot all 3 lenghts, but some have reported problems with light loads.

 

[kentucky_smith]

My SBE I handles 1oz cheap loads just fine. I got it on a deal and was going to trade it toward a Montefeltro, but it feels just right the way it is.