Thought I would share some results of patterning my Benelli SBE 2. Honestly I hadn't done this since I got the gun in December of 2013. Prior to this I had shot a stoeger 2000 and had patterned that gun years back. That being said they pattern completely different despite both being from Benelli family and using Improved Cylinder as my go to choke. One thing I've learned through doing this a couple times is that price of shell doesn't mean squat. It's all marketing. So here are results, all of these numbers are from a a 1x1 dirty bird splatter targets at 30 yards. Right at the range I'm comfortable killing, yes you can reach out and touch a few but that's what I want to be within. Once again this is through SBE 2 with factory IC. Will update this when I put modified in it and shoot same rounds. However, I rarely use this choke and unless pattern is significantly better I will stick with IC.

From best to worst:

1. Black Cloud 3", #3, 1 1/4 oz
61 and 59 pellets. This pattern was pretty, very few "holes" in pattern on both sheets.

1b. Kent Fasteel 3", #4, 1 3/8 oz.
62 and 55 pellets. Numbers wise this is a hair below the black cloud, but I kind of like the pattern of it better. This being significantly cheaper and a heavy shot will most likely win out. For 150 roughly a case it's exceptional.

2. Remington Hi-Speed (cheap box with mallard on one side and goose on other) 3", #4, 1 1/4 oz. 41 and 39 Pellets. Although less pellets a clean pattern. Good cheap shell. I've been shooting this load for a while. This round patterned the best out of my stoeger 2000 with IC and I still got left over boxes from last couple cases I got.

3. Heavy Metal 3", #4, 1 1/4 oz. 40 and 32. This pattern was decent on one sheet had a few dead center, no obvious holes. But... For 30 dollars a box keep this stuff on the shelf.

4. Estate 3", #4, 1 3/8 oz. 42 and a 21. I'm going to reshoot this one. Think I just pulled on that 21, but at same time that 42 wasn't all that clean of a pattern. I was truly rooting for this shell. It's got a good price, readily available at Puglias and just old school looking shell. I also shot same shell in #3. 33 and 26, not ugly but still down on the list. Honestly the Xperts might be better, but I'm going to tinker with these a little more.

5. The good old Xpert. The shell that everyone likes to bash. 3", #4, 1 1/8 oz.36 and 35. It was actually better than I anticipated. This round from previous gun was not a good performer. If I'm in a jam or its only shell available I won't hesitate to buy a box or two. This reminds me, I want to try Federal Speed Shoks. Seem cheaper and have better reviews.

6. Heavy Shot - Heavy Steel. 3", #4, 1 1/4 oz. This shell blows dogs for quarters. Hope it patterns better out of the modified. It was 23 and 21 on the sheet. Maybe I pulled twice or wasn't steady?


This wasn't formal. This was me pacing out roughly 30 yards. No vice/tripod/gun rest/bench/etc. just me shouldering gun and firing away. Wind was blowing a a bit, but where I was it always does. I know you ideally want a 30 inch, square but this gives you a darn good idea. My next step, shoot a few more of my top performers. Two shells is a small sample, can't hurt to shoot a few more. But this process weeds out the week. I hunt coastal marsh and half my bag is grey ducks and other half is teal, so # 4 is probably perfect shot. But, there are hunts and certain times where it is nothing but grey ducks. Times like that a #2 sounds appealing. I have a round of Kents in same shell as the #4's. Hopefully it works out as well. But, #3 black cloud could be jam up for the bigger ducks and still cut up the teal good. Not sure I want to spend that kind of money on Black Cloud with the way Kent shoots.

Will reply to this topic with pic of the BC and Kents. Would like opinions on preferred pattern. Anyone else put pellets on paper? Yall let me know if you want pics of any sheets, have them all on dining room table.







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Left side is Black Cloud, Right in Kent. Both have similar numbers of pellets on sheet. Thoughts?


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Very similar with my SBE2. See attached pics the best pattern/load for my gun was black cloud #4. I've had some custom work performed on my gun and the gunsmith patterned it with several shells and all the chokes he provided. I forget the distance but I think it was similar range as you tested yours.

If you view the picture it tells you how many pellets landed in different diameters of the target.

I primarily hunt with the T2 choke but bring all with me in case need to make a field swap.

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Well put together. Good job.
I would suggest the Federal Blue box or Red Box. They are dirty shells, but I have put together some very good patterns through my SBE2 with a Briley Mod Choke.[/quote]

Thanks been wanting to try but all I see on shelves in the federal blue box is BB's. Just don't see the need for those and would hate to buy a case just to pattern. Anyone in NOLA area got a few they want to "trade?" And I believe the red box is exclusively from Rogers. Does the zinc plating matter?

Also, is there any harm in exclusively shooting BC through factory chokes?



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Red Box exclusive to Rogers I believe. Not sure if the zinc plating makes a difference or just advertising as you said above.
I know Blue Box has almost solely been in my gun for the last 3 seasons with zero complaints.

If you were closer I'd give you a few shells to try, but I shoot mostly #2

I agree on the dirty shell through an inertia gun. Break down, wash with water hose. light Oil. Good to go.

I shoot a Modified Briley choke for everything. Dove Season through end of January.

Really appreciate you putting that together

Very interesting. In my old SBE2(kicks hi flyer mod) the hevi-metals patterned the best. Then it was followed by federal blue steel, Kents, and heavy steel. It didn't pattern well even though the hevi metal did. I never shot bc out of it because it had a ported choke

The kicks are in ic, mod, full, and x full. The barrel constriction on each of them seem to be within the normal range for whatever constriction it is. I've loved all of my kicks I've had and don't plan on switching. On my new super Vinci I have a full and it will hold a fairly tight pattern (don't remember pellet count) out to 50. I've shot many ducks with it in the 40-50 yard range and am very pleased with it. The modified is my next purchase though

Update/Bump:

I just purchased a case of the black cloud loads that performed well. I tried to get the Kents and couldn't find the heavier loads that I tested. We're plenty of 1 1/4 and 1 1/8 loads but not the 1 3/8. So I ended up with the federal BC couldn't pass up the 189 a case with free shipping, zero tax and a mail in rebate I think. I also bought a Carlson mid range black cloud choke, had a credit at bass pro for 90 bucks so got it for the hell of it. I still plan to shoot all the loads I reviewed with modified. Might even try some with the BC choke. I might have a chance to do this Friday, if so will post the numbers then.

Anyone used this choke?


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CMk,

Sorry just seen your comment to me. Yep you just ship your gun to him and he can perform the mods. I had the waterfowl mod performed which is listed on their site it was $800 which comes with the three chokes. Benelli sends sbe2's to him as well and then to guns shops as waterfowl editions and the list price is $2,800.

He actually has my gun right now I'm having it blasted and recorded with bottomland camo. my original camo was getting pretty worn.

Duck

See pics of my SBE2 just got it back from Rob Roberts cost $226 to strip and re camo it with bottomland.

Good deal, mine came bottomland from factory, I don't think they put out many in that color. You like that larger bolt on the chamber? Looks like a lot more practical if hunting with gloves.


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That bottomland camo looks good man

Yep the larger charging handle and the larger bolt release is easier to push as well.