Benelli Super BE 3 worth it? 12 or 20 for Turkey?

[Huntolive]

I have a super Black eagle 2 With a 26 inch barrel
That will take 3.5 inch shells in full camo that I have taken turkey and other critters with

I also have Benelli supernova with multiple barrels with which I’ve also killed a lot of things including turkeys

I am tempted to get a super black eagle three
Perhaps the one with the pistol grip and turkey style stock they have two versions one is the $3000 performance shop version which I refuse to pay for the other is the $1800 one that looks exactly the same but it’s not come with a ported barrel or red dot
But I Have never hunt turkey with a red dot before I always just use a fiber-optic front bead site.
Not that I have any problem with potentially using a reflex or red dot sight.
Do any of you think that they are a significant advantage went turkey hunting or something like an EO Tech?

Who has experience with the super black eagle three?
What do you like about it or not like about it and do any of you have either though performance shop turkey version or the other version I mentioned that is identical to it except for not having the turkey choke porting and read that site?

do these versions have the comfort text stock it looks as though the pistol grip turkey versions are not comfort tech?

I do notice that the super black eagle three supposed to have a better Bolt system that Eliminates the possibility of the gun not going into battery. This seems like a must-have feature and big improvement from the super black eagle 2

I am also considering going into a completely different direction and using 20 gauge instead of 12 gauge

i’ve even heard there are many people using youth model pump 20 gauge is as a dedicated turkey gun so I am mostly wondering what you guys think of switching from 12 gauge to 20 gauge and also what about recommendations on that particular turkey gun including pump and semi automatic options including youth models for adults

I am also very seriously considering the Winchester SX4 cantilevered turkey gun what are you guys think of that any experience and should I get that 12 gauge or 20 gauge or leave it alone?

 

[cdb1]

SBE 3 is not worth the price to me, especially for a shotgun that would not be used for wing shooting. The SBE 3 has an “improved ComforTech stock”.

I use a 20 gauge Weatherby semi for turkey, it has a red dot on it. With TSS shot it is awesome.

For myself I’d take a SX4 over a SBE3 even if the prices were much closer. They have less recoil. I don’t own a SX4 but have four SX3’s which are the same internally as the SX4.
The

 

[Huntolive]

Yes I think I’ve decided not to throw money into another Benelli because the Frankie affinity three knock off looks almost just as good
I can put that $700 savings into ammo

what are those shotguns on the right and the bottom picture with the short stocks?

Other than less recoil and less weight why would I want to go with 20 over 12?
What do I lose from switching from 12 to 20?

 

[cdb1]

SX3’s. They were on clearance(the Walnut Field was discontinued) and I purchased two 12 and two 20 gauge compacts. Could have bought regular size but with spacers they are full size. The ones in the photo have 14.25” LOP’s.
I wanted the flexibility. My daughter uses one of the 12’s with the spacers removed for ducks. The SX3 Walnut Field is my favorite semi in the looks department too.

Other than being lighter and more lively it’s just personal preference to use a 20 IMO, except for waterfowl. For waterfowl I use a 12. And if a person has only one shotgun I’d recommend a 12. A light weight 20 shooting a heavy load can have pretty harsh recoil.

Speaking of the Affinity, the second and third shotguns from the left are Affinity’s, a 20 and a 12. They fit me perfectly and I use them with dove loads, anything heavier and I use a gas gun.

If I had to get rid of all my shotguns except one I’d keep my FABARM L4S.

 

[ericuda]

Sorry but no I get tired of dragging that much weight around. I do it more for enjoyment and would much rather use a single shot h&r 20 or 12 with 3" turkey loads.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Bought a camo-ed M2 20ga 24in barrel a little while back---not sure what the more expensive SBE offers over it?

My little gun is like a magic wand.

 

[jmr40]

I wouldn't invest in a lot of money for a turkey specific shotgun. You can make a very good argument that a single shot break action budget gun is better than just about anything else. You get a very short overall length gun that is very light and easy to carry for miles and in thick brush. Unlike waterfowl or upland game you're not shooting at moving game so balance and a smooth swing aren't important nor is more than 1 shot. And realistically you don't give up much with a 20 ga.

If you're looking for one gun to use for everything then a quality semi 12 ga that takes 3" shells. You don't need, or even want 3 1/2" shells IMO for turkey. Too much of a good thing. And very few people can make use of 3 1/2" shells for anything.