Quote from: SpurHunter14 on June 08, 2013, 04:26:16 AM
Recently bought a SBEII with a 28" barrel. Pretty sure that its the best for patterns, but I have hunted for many years with a 24" 870 and am afraid I'm not going to like the length. Now to my question. I also have a SBE I with a 26" barrel. Use the SBE II and love the pattern and deal with the extra inches or use the SBE I. Did not know if the Crio made that big of a difference. Don't really know even what it is to be honest.
I have one SBE that I've owned since 1991 with 24", 26" & 28" barrels. I had another SBE with a 24" barrel, I have a Nova with 24", 26" and 28" barrels, I had the SBEII with a 26" barrel and now have a Vinci with 28" barrel. The longer barrels have never been a problem in the turkey woods for me.
The Crio process slowly takes the barrel/choke down to -300 Fahrenheit holds it for a period and then slowly raises it to ambient temperature. It is supposed to relieve the stress that is caused by the manufacturing process and heat tempering, realign the steel molecules and increase the lubricity (slickness) of the steel. It is supposed to make the barrel more stable and less affected by heat build-up.
Altogether, I've owned 5 different Benelli shotguns and numerous barrels for those guns. The SBEII and the Vinci barrels have been through the Crio process. The others have not. All are and have been very fine barrels, patterned well and cleaned easily after deep cleaning. I've never been able to tell a difference in patterning.
The real difference in a Crio treated barrel should be when it's exposed to rapid firing. A Crio treated barrel should not change its point of impact (wander) due to heat build up as can/does happen with untreated barrels. It should be most beneficial to trap, skeet, sporting clays shooters or hunters, like dove hunters, who shoot many rounds rapidly.
The increased lubricity can also make the bore less likely to retain "gunk" and make it easier to clean after repeated firing.
Thanks,
Clark
