New shotgun question?

[Tominator]

I have been hunting with a black 28" SBE for about 8 years now. Great reliable gun under any hunting conditons and very easy to clean. I am now in the market for another new gun to hunt with as well as shooting clays during the summer months. Looking for something with less felt recoil as that is my only knock with the SBE. Looking to get something with a shorter barrel to start hunting the wooded creeks near home. I am considering the new Super X3. For those of you who have hunted with the Super x, how reliable is it under any and all hunting conditions(rain, snow, sleet, mud, etc.)? How easy is it to clean and how easy is it to get dirty? Never owned a gas auto shotgun so I'm a little unsure. Considering the X3 because it is backbored(should pattern a little better with big shot), should have less felt recoil with the gas operated system, and I can get a new 26", 3 1/2" camo version for slightly less than I can get a black 3" Benelli. At least around these parts. What are your thoughts and opinions? Thanks Guys

[GreenTimber]

SBE2 definately reduced recoil.

[Stephen Pitt]

I have been shooting my SBE now for almost 10 years now, I would not trade it for any other gun, just because I have shot it for so long and I am more comfortable shooting that gun more than any other gun that I own. I was lucky enough to find an old SBE, the H&K model, that had less than 2 boxes shot through it and bought it at a really good price. If you are wanting to get away from a Benelli, I would suggest that you pick up a Beretta Xtrema 2. I Dad got one in August, and I really like it; lightweight, hardly any recoil, and shoulders really well. If I was not shooting a SBE, I would choose the Beretta Xtema 2 in my opinion.

[quackaddict]

I currently own a Super X2, I have used it for roughly one year now. I shoot more than an average person becasue I shoot sporting clays leauge in the summer and I hunts crows and shoot pigeons as needed. I would say I probably have a couple thousand rounds through my X2 up to now. The gas system is nothing to worry about, I have hunted dirt, snow, rain, mud, and just plain cold all season long and had only two malfunctions. The first was with a federal hull that was trimed to long. The action was completley back and there was still a 1/4 inch left in the barrel! the second was one morning when everything froze. I put a shell in the gun that had ice in the primer. It froze to the boltface and caused a failure to feed. Niether of these two problems were gun induced. As for takedown and cleaning, I can strip mine without tools in about 30 seconds. reduced recoil is why I picked this gun over a benelli, The gas system and the increased weight make for a very smooth gun. Even the 3.5's dont buck and the 2 3/4 target loads are very easy to manage. If you got any specific questions shoot me a PM.:cool:

[quackaddict]

SBE2 definately reduced recoil.
He was asking about the X3's Green Timber, not some coment about how the SbeII's are "the greatest gun ever":rolleyes:

[Ryan Kleinschmidt]

I have ran my X-2 for two years and as Kyle said, no problems. I shoot as much as the next guy between early seasons, regular seasons, late season and league sporting clays and have no complaints. I have held the X-3 in my hands and the lighter weight is a plus. I believe its a 1/2 pound lighter than the X-2 and pulls up a little better. At least it did for me. As with any gas system, proper maintainence and cleaning should yeild no hang ups. I am going to test one out this summer. I have a browning gold 3.5" in the cabinet that doesn't see the light of day since I got my X-2!! I might have to trade it in on the X-3. Your best bet is to get out and get one in your hands and shoot it if possible before you buy one.

[CurrituckBoy]

The extreama 2 has the kick off recoil system in it that reduces recoil dramaticly. also it is the only 3-1/2 gun that i have found to cycle 2 3/4 inch shells on a reliable basis. It is alot easier to clean then the first extrema and the 390's and 391's.

Michael

[CRIPLE CUTTER]

I shot an sx2 for 2 years and never had eney real problem's with it.and have shot at least 3000 shells threw it. the only problem i have had was my fault when i fell when i was puddle jumping. i broke the bolt handle of when the gun hit a tree.:mad:.i never had it jam up on me and i hardly ever cleen the gun.

[Derek Rambo]

Here is my opinion.....

Any gas gun is going to have less felt recoil....period! That is why Benelli came out with the new one...extra recoil reducing stuff???? Great guns though!
I have a first year SX2. Been through two springs(I shoot alot) and it has not missed a beat. By far the best feeling gun out there to me and will never give it up....wish I had another original as a backup. The 2nd year and on they dropped the rib alot which I do not like. Hands down the most reliable gas gun out there and maybe all shotguns. Awesome gun...period!
If I were to get a backup gun besides what you have this is what I would do. I would get the SX3 in 3" only. It will cost a little less, a little lighter, and you could shoot anything through it. 2 3/4 to 3". Even light clay/skeet loads. Especially if you want to shoot skeet/trap/sporting clays where you do not need 3 1/2". Alot less recoil too. I do not care what anybody says....a 3 1/2" gun will not cycle light...7/8 & 1 oz loads with regularity. Not enough powder for the push. Be honest guy's....does your big gun really do it? Mine does not...I have to shoot 1 1/4 oz or larger loads.
I never shoot 3 1/2 loads anyway.....that is all they offered when I got it. If a 3" version was offered the first year I would of got it instead.

JMO....hope this helps!

[Ryan Kleinschmidt]

a 3 1/2" gun will not cycle light...7/8 & 1 oz loads with regularity. Not enough powder for the push.


I have to agree with that. That is why I shoot heavy trap loads. Not to mention they crush the target better as well.

[Berger]

Yepper my HK sbe did just fine at cycling the light trap loads and my Extrema 2 cycles them fine as wellI have to agree with that. That is why I shoot heavy trap loads. Not to mention they crush the target better as well.

[Jason Upton]

I haven't had any expirence with the X3, but I'm very pleased with my X2. It is one of the lighter (physical weight) gas operated guns I've shot, but mine doesn't take 3 1/2". I have heard from a very reliable source that the X3 are great guns though.

[Mallardbreath]

If I were going to buy a new 3 1/2" gas gun, it would be a SX2, SX3, or Xtrema II. I own a Browning Gold 3" gun that has been reliable except at cold temps. I now shoot a Benelli M1 and it was flawless in its first year.

[duckbird]

i shoot with my browning A500 ,3 , now for 8 years it never let down i use it for hunting and for clay shooting i use all kind of shells for hunting and clayshooting no problem at all .

[TJ Davis]

I would say the SX2 was one of the best gun i have ever hunted with till the end of this past season. It broke in half right where the stock meets the receiver. I will admit im hard on guns and that i could take a little better care of them. This just shouldn’t of happened though. I shoot a lot. Besides waterfowling i used it for pigeons, crow and i shoot trap year round. Never had one problem with it till then. i will try and get some picks posted to show you what im talking about. I would still say its a great gun just the most durable gun on the market.