Todd_NE
12-27-2004, 01:31 PM
I had the opportunity to shoot a Super Black Eagle II ($1175) in black with a 24" barrel and a 26" Montefeltro ($875) this past weekend for clays. I had just bought a Monte and my brother the SBE II.
Both guns were new and came with a very nice grey plastic case that held the guns in "breakdown" form. Each comes with 5 chokes, choke wrench, books, gun oil and plug.
Neither of the guns had cosmoline or anything that was tough to take off. I simply cleaned each with Hoppe's and put a few drops on the benelli oil as directed in the receiver.
The Montefeltro was very easy to put together and it has a small aluminium plug that pops right out. Fit and finish was fine and the IC choke was installed and properly tightened out of the box. The walnut wood on my gun was very dark, not beautiful but not bad.
The SBE II plug requires a metal cap over the magazine to be removed, I didn't do it. It's also a lot tougher for me to put together. Someone that owns a SBE helped put it together. You have to have the bolt on the receiver and the barrel and forestock all slide on together over the bolt. Hard to describe. The SBE and SBE II are unique to me in that the barrel is also the top half of the receiver believe it or not. Again the IC choke was installed and we left it.
We headed out with some 1 oz Remington dove and quail loads. We shot 6 boxes total.
Pluses
1. Neither gun malfunctioned or jammed even once though light loads are supposed to give the Benelli's a little problem at first. These went through fine
2. Both have a fine feel in the hand and good balance. I liked the SBE II balance and my brother the Monte, we should have switched.
3. Though both are recoil operated we really didn't feel much recoil to the shoulder
4. Both safety's had a nice crisp release.
5. Guns both stayed good on follow up shots, even the 24" SBE II. There was no hop on either
6. Both guns were deadly on the clay :)
7. The feel of both guns is good. I like the narrowness of the monte but the synthetic stock on the SBE II was very "sticky" almost. Be great for a blind or turkey hunting. The SBE II also was ready for a sling
8. The ergonomic butt plate on the SBE II is really nice and the new bigger trigger guard would be nice for shooting with heavy gloves.
Neg's
1. I could not tell any difference in recoil with the SBE II even though it has the new recoil reduction system. Might/should come into play more with heavier loads
2. They definitely have different dimensions. The SBE II fit my eyeline perfectly, I'll have to shim the Monte's buttstock down a little. I see too much barrel. Make sure they fit you.
3. Loading, I still don't like have to flick the side switch to have shells come out of the magazine. Duck and goose hunters like this for removing a chambered shell only.
Either gun is a nice weapon. I'd stick with the Monte if you like a more traditional upland gun but get the SBE II if you want something a little more versatile for upland, waterfowl, turkey and deer.
Todd
Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed, the glory - Memorial Stadium
Both guns were new and came with a very nice grey plastic case that held the guns in "breakdown" form. Each comes with 5 chokes, choke wrench, books, gun oil and plug.
Neither of the guns had cosmoline or anything that was tough to take off. I simply cleaned each with Hoppe's and put a few drops on the benelli oil as directed in the receiver.
The Montefeltro was very easy to put together and it has a small aluminium plug that pops right out. Fit and finish was fine and the IC choke was installed and properly tightened out of the box. The walnut wood on my gun was very dark, not beautiful but not bad.
The SBE II plug requires a metal cap over the magazine to be removed, I didn't do it. It's also a lot tougher for me to put together. Someone that owns a SBE helped put it together. You have to have the bolt on the receiver and the barrel and forestock all slide on together over the bolt. Hard to describe. The SBE and SBE II are unique to me in that the barrel is also the top half of the receiver believe it or not. Again the IC choke was installed and we left it.
We headed out with some 1 oz Remington dove and quail loads. We shot 6 boxes total.
Pluses
1. Neither gun malfunctioned or jammed even once though light loads are supposed to give the Benelli's a little problem at first. These went through fine
2. Both have a fine feel in the hand and good balance. I liked the SBE II balance and my brother the Monte, we should have switched.
3. Though both are recoil operated we really didn't feel much recoil to the shoulder
4. Both safety's had a nice crisp release.
5. Guns both stayed good on follow up shots, even the 24" SBE II. There was no hop on either
6. Both guns were deadly on the clay :)
7. The feel of both guns is good. I like the narrowness of the monte but the synthetic stock on the SBE II was very "sticky" almost. Be great for a blind or turkey hunting. The SBE II also was ready for a sling
8. The ergonomic butt plate on the SBE II is really nice and the new bigger trigger guard would be nice for shooting with heavy gloves.
Neg's
1. I could not tell any difference in recoil with the SBE II even though it has the new recoil reduction system. Might/should come into play more with heavier loads
2. They definitely have different dimensions. The SBE II fit my eyeline perfectly, I'll have to shim the Monte's buttstock down a little. I see too much barrel. Make sure they fit you.
3. Loading, I still don't like have to flick the side switch to have shells come out of the magazine. Duck and goose hunters like this for removing a chambered shell only.
Either gun is a nice weapon. I'd stick with the Monte if you like a more traditional upland gun but get the SBE II if you want something a little more versatile for upland, waterfowl, turkey and deer.
Todd
Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed, the glory - Memorial Stadium