Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Opinions of Beretta A400 vs Benelli SBEII

I am looking for a new shotgun and want a semi automatic in camo and 3.5" capable. I had a Benelli SBE II in black and didn't like the recoil on the 3.5" steel. I sold it and am now thinking about the Beretta A400 xtreme plus. Anybody have first hand experience with the Beretta? Another member is trying the Beretta but just wondering if anyone else has an opinion. I know I probably don't need 3.5" ammo, but from the looks of the Beretta it should kick a lot less than the Benelli

Thanks

The A400 Xtreme plus is a very smooth shooter, low recoil and will handle light and heavy loads no problem. I own both of these and the Benelli has more felt recoil. I like both, but I have some shoulder issues so I lean towards the Beretta.

Thank you. I know the Benelli is a simpler design and probably easier to maintain, but am leaning to the Beretta

What’s the difference in weight between the two. I do know that the A400s I’ve held felt like 2x4 as compared to any Benelli, though I don’t shoot big heavy loads. The Benelli Ethos I had was a pussy cat as far as recoil goes with high velocity pheasant loads. But my main comparison is to an 870 that was much heavier.

I have a Browning Silver 3.5 no problems and before that I had a Winchester SX3 3.5 no problems.

An A400 is an amazingly soft shooter with 3” waterfowl loads. I have never shot 3.5s out one, but I am sure that it would tame them nicely.

I own both. Both are excellent shotguns. The Benelli definitely has more recoil. Get the Berreta A400 extreme plus you will be happy.

What are you hunting and how? The A400 is handsome, smooth shooting, with less recoil particularly with heavy loads. But I Will carry a Benelli every day if walking and hunting the uplands, not the much heavier Beretta.

If hunting waterfowl from a blind or in-place, shooting 3” loads, then IMO the A400 is a great choice. It’s a complex, fairly heavy, that is smooth-shooting machine, while Ben’s are are lightweight, and as simple as A,B,C to break down and clean.

Both, IMO, are very good shotguns with the better of the two depending upon your particular intended use.

The insert for cast and pitch used makes a big difference in felt recoil. Just because a particular insert helps you shoot better does not necessarily make it recoil less.

And to add, Beretta O/Us are a serious favorite, but I would go Benneli auto virtually always.

I had an A400. It was a good enough gun but I didn't like the cheek slap from the kick off stock so I sold it. No experience with a SB2.

I am an admitted Benelli and inertia fan for a field gun, especially if waterfowl is the intended use. I have a M1, M2 Waterfowl and SBE2. 3 of my buddies have the A400 and while they are nice and shoot softer than my Benellis, they handle like a club for me. I never shoot 3.5" shells except at the rare occasion we target geese so the added weight and softer shooting A400s don't appeal to me. I have shouldered the Winchester SX4s and they felt nice.

I suppose if the A400 fits and you don't mind the weight, it's a good choice. If you want something lighter and easier to clean and maintain you may want to look at other options like the SX4

Have had a SBE II for 2 or 3 years. Never really fit me well, can't say why but it didn't. I let my son have it to use and went back to my 11-87 that I have had since high school.

This weekend bought a A400 Extreme plus. LOVE IT!

Took it and my son took the SBE II. The A400 shoots well with light loads we used for skeet, no cycling problems at all. We compare the two for felt recoil, really no comparison. SBE II is a fine gun and very reliable, just because it didn't fit me does not mean I can't appreciate it. However, IMO the A400 is next level. As for it being heavy, nothing compared to my 11-87. Think I found a new favorite.

Frankly I like the M2 from Benelli more than the SBE... no one really needs 3.5” unless you are going after geese.

Or turkey, and with TSS you dont even need it then. I much prefer my M2 over my SBE 2. I can coubt on one hand how many hunts I've used the SBE 2. I really should sell it but I have 2 boys that can grow into it and the M1.

What’s your application? For hunting the Beneilli is hard to beat but if your shooting clay targets and hunting it’s beretta all day