So I'm trying to decide on a new turkey gun, so I can retire my Mossberg 835 and I want to step up to a semi automatic gun. I have it narrowed down to the Benelli SBE3 or the Franchi Affinity 3.5. I do not duck hunt so this will be mainly a turkey gun and occasional dove. I don't mind paying the extra $ for the Benelli, if it's worth it. Unfortunately where I am located no one has either gun in stock so I can't put hands on them. Pros/cons of each? I know the SBE is known for shooting high, but the plan is to run a red dot on whichever one I decide to go with. Any first hand experience on each of these guns and if the SBE is worth the extra $, why?
I've owned both and liked and still have the SBE. PERSONALLY it fit me better and I liked the narrower fore end on it. I also liked the receiver came off with the barrel to make cleaning easier.
Also to me the bolt function was more crisp and solid. Having said that both are fine guns and very close to each other. Really comes down to fit.
One other thing to think of is the SBE will hold value longer if that means something to you. Also the SBE is easier to find aftermarket parts for if needed.
Down side is crio chokes tend to be more expensive and harder to find.
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I have a sbe and a franchi both are great guns.
I don't shoot 3.5 and so I got a new Franchi Affinity 3 20 gauge.
I may throw a curve ball in your idea but man you should go 20 gauge. With the tss loads and chokes we have today it's unbelievable.
I have owned a sbe2 max-5 camo 28" barre and with an Indian creek .665 and 3 inch hevi-13 magnum blend 2oz it shot lights out and shot 2 inches high dead center.
I sold it and bought a sbe3 max-5 28" and it shot 10-12 inches high and 8-10 inches left. I sold it immediately and said I would never have another benelli.
Then this past year I traded a guy a deer rifle I had for a brand new benelli sbe 2 25th anniversary Max-5 camo 28" Barrel. I have not shot the gun yet but have already installed a sumtoy Mount and ff3 on it with a sumtoy .660 choke. I plan to shoot apex 3" 9s tss our of it.
My Franchi Affinity 3 20 gauge is still brand new and is bottomland camo with a 26" Barrel I have installed a sumtoy Mount and ff3 on t with a sumtoy .562-5 choke and plan to shoot federal 3" 9s 1.5oz load tss and apex 3" 9s 15/8oz Lord out of it.
I like Franchi and Benelli so I recommend you go hold the guns and decide what you want. Now these guns do have substantial recoil and I do not recommend shooting 3.5. That's all up to you, inertia guns kick allot harder then gas guns.
If you must have a 3.5 inch fun I would buy a Franchi Affinity 3.5 in bottomland and get me a sumtoy Mount, ff3 and a sumtoy or Indian creek choke for it and some hevi-13 magna blends. Just my .02
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I have always shot 3.5 through my 835, so I don't mind the kick. Since I don't hunt duck/geese I'm not too much worried about the recoil. I just want to upgrade to a nice semi auto gun that's worth the $ and has a good pattern . I plan on throwing a SumToy mount/choke with a FF3 or VV on the gun I pick. I like the resale value on the SBE if I ever did sell it. No one around here has either gun in stock including BassPro. So I'm doing my research on it here.
I've been shooting a SBEII for the last 2 seasons and it does very well and fits me very well. I did have issues initially with a deviation between POI vs POA but I was able to correct it with the Jebs choke. You will need to experiment with chokes and various constrictions to find the sweet spot; 12 ga Benellis typically prefer a tighter constriction. My current go to load is the Winchester longbeards in #5s. This gun is dialed at 40 yds and an absolute hammer. I believe the Benellis are worth the money. I also own a used walnut stock original SBE that I use to shoot sporting clays and doves. Both are great guns and don't regret the purchase of either.
Agree on chokes. You will want to be in the 650-660 range and I've had the most luck closer to the 650 side.
Shoot magblends and a rob Roberts 655 out of mine (3") and it is crazy good
Mine didn't really have any POI issues. Maybe 1" left out of the box. I shoot a FF3 on mine though
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I'm leaning towards the SBE3 right now. I wish I could hold both guns before making a decision, but it's not possible. Anyone recommend a place to buy? The research I've done puts the price at 1800$. Cabela's offers a 100$ gift card when you buy one from them.
Good luck, both are solid shooters.
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I have Benelli SBE II. Wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Also might check out the used market.
Quote from: FHPTrooper on February 19, 2018, 06:11:42 PM
I'm leaning towards the SBE3 right now. I wish I could hold both guns before making a decision, but it's not possible. Anyone recommend a place to buy? The research I've done puts the price at 1800$. Cabela's offers a 100$ gift card when you buy one from them.
Depending on where you're at, Dunn has the performance shop SBE II for $1599. That's the Rob Roberts gun and at that price I'd be willing to pay for the transfer.