Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns SBE3 or SX4?

Looking for a new shotgun and i have my eyes on those two. Looking for a 3.5 12 gauge have the 20 covered.

Which one gets your juices flowing or should i look at something different? Needs to be something i can get in camo.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

That comes down to gas vs. inertia. I'd pick the inertia. The SBE3 is a VERY nice shotgun, but costs a lot more than a SX4.

The SX4 is hard to see any gain over the 3, so if going that way I'd just get a closeout SX3.

I prefer a gas gun by a mile and would highly recommend the SX4, or a left over SX3. We hunter's waterfowl, in 14 degree temps this year, and the only issues were with the Inertia guns. That said, I am quite aware that a lot of folks have great success with the inertia guns.

Id go with an inertia gun Myself, less fuss when it comes to cleaning and durable as hell......I think I like the Franchi/Stoeger system better though with spring in the forend, they seem a little easier to maintain......Good luck....Hb

I own a Benelli. what does "maintain" mean

I have owned a SBE I and a half dozen SBE 2's, the recoil spring in the stock is more involved to get to and keep oiled as you should if the gun is used in a wet duck hunting environment, it also needs to be changed every year or two if you shoot a lot and it is a PITA to swap out...........Not a big deal but the Franchi system is easier to service........Hb

Tico, why do you need a 3.5"? If it's just because you want it, well, ok. But, for waterfowl, do you really need a 3.5"? Probably not. 3" been knocking them out of the sky for a looong time. Look at the Remington V3[camo]. For about $700.00 +/-, you're getting a damn good SG.
Just my opinion.

Why not get a 3.5" shotgun? He can shoot any length shell he wants, A 3.5" shotgun gives you the option........a 3" gun is always a 3" gun ........Hb

Va H, this is very true. As I mentioned, just MY opinion.
3.5" kick pretty good in an enertia gun and really doesn't kill any better than a 3" 12ga. Seems waterfowlers have been doing fine with 3", but, we all know marketing, right?
Gotta have the newest and "best" thing going. Remember here, my opinion only. And I respect your's.

I dont really need a 3.5 just want the option of being able to use it if i ever feel the need. I will look at the Remington. I had a 1187 and although i liked it it sure did feel heavy. I
Just sold my sbe2 so am looking for a new 12ga. The sx4 and sbe3 are just the two that have caught my eye. I will probably be in nashville in a few weeks at the nwtf convention and will make up my mind then as im sure all the big boys will be there showing of their stuff.

Let us know what you see and find out. Having the option of 3.5" ain't a bad thing at all. So, you'll get it figured out. Either way, you'll have the SG you want/need.

Yeah, lots of great choices in shotguns these days........enjoy Nashville and let us know what you decide.....Good luck......Hb

Used to run seaduck charters a lot off Kodiak. The daily limit was 40 seaducks and 10 of the ordinary ducks (heavy to Barrow's and common goldeheye, bufflehead, and mallard.)

Seaducks die a lot harder than puddlers... a fellow from Hawaii showed up with a couple cases of 2 3/4 Federal Classic ammo in 2s and 4s. He proceeded to kill more ducks outright dead at greater lengths than I ever thought possible.

His birds per box of shells count was better than I have ever seen, with no close second. He was shooting a Browning BPS 12. He hated it because he "could not shoot it very well" and the recoil was "brutal!"

Made me realize it was all about pointing the frigging gun in the right direction.

Oh yeah, the limits on Kodiak are a small fraction of the good old days...

My understanding from people I trust is the SBE III was a step forward and the SX4 was a step back. So OP, I'd choose between the Benelli and a SX3. Buy the one that seems to fit best and feels the most comfortable to you. I'd like to own a Benelli but they flat out don't fit me. I've tried a SBE II and a Vinci and can't shoot them well. I shoot the SX3 well so I have several.

After going through a number of shotguns over the years I know what stock dimensions fit and as such, don't stray from them. If I needed a new shotgun I'd get a V3, I know it will fit but a new shotgun is the last thing I need. My favorite of the ones I own is my FABARM L4S. Even though it's my favorite there is no way I'd recommend it to you because it may not fit you. Shims are great, I use them but they can only do so much.

I seriously doubt your mileage will vary.

I have had a Browning Maxus for 7 years. I duck hunt more than 45 days a season, from puddle ducks in swamps, late season divers on big lakes, to sea ducks in salt water. In addition to waterfowl hunting, I use it frequently in the off season for skeet and sporting clays with light target loads in the off season. It has never let me down. Not once has it failed to shoot and cycle the action, no matter how dirty it has been or how cold it was out.

That being said, I would go with the SX4, which is pretty close to being identical to the maxus as far as the gas system goes.

I know several people with inertia guns that have frequent issues with jamming, especially in colder temps.

You have to shoulder them and see what fits you best. I did that a couple years ago and ended up with a SX3.

No issues so far with 4 flats of trap loads and 2 flats of Fasteel.


YMMV.

How is the SX4 a step back?

Haven't handled a SX4 but have owned and shot most other semi models and brands. My favorite now is the SX3. I've owned some Benellis and most of them have malfunctioned at some point, or won't cycle light loads, or something. I know guys who love theirs.

I'm a Beretta guy, but if I had to chose between the two, I think it's SBE 3 hands down.

Both are great. Pick the one that feels best and fits best. I love the Benellis because they feel and fit perfectly. I love the SX3 too though but the stock has a different pitch just like the Browning and the recoil is felt in my lower peck. A inertia gun supposedly kicks more but recoil is more about the fit and shape of the stock vs your body shape. I have a Browning gold that is heavier than either my sbe1 and my M1 and recoil is felt more with it and it's a gas gun. Fit and feel my man,,, they are all reliable and we'll made.

Recently got both the SX4 and SBE3.. also have A400s in 12, 20 and 28.. for some reason I shoot the SX4 much better than the SBE3 and get great patterns with the SX4 with a IM Win Inv+ Flush Choke.. noticeably less recoil with the SX4 - as expected - gas vs inertia.. The SX4 12 ga recoil is close to my Beretta A400 20ga Extreme Plus.. with target and the field bismuth shells I load..

Depends.

I don't have an SBE3, but have Browning A5 and Benelli M2s, which are intertia. And have several Winchester SX4s and Browning Silvers, are are essentially the same.

The SBE3 is inertia and the SX4 is gas. If you're going to actually be shooting the 3.5" shells, the SX4 will be the more comfortable gun to shoot. Felt recoil is significantly less with the gas gun. I can tolerate more shooting of heavy 3.5" loads out of my SX4s and Maxus IIs then I can out of my A5. Shooting 3.5" shells out of an inertia gun can quite literally be a bruising experience.

Any 3.5" gun will be less reliable with light 7/8oz loads, should you get the itch to shoot them. But my SX4 cycles them better than my A5.

Inertia guns are a breeze to clean. But its just not that hard to clean a gas gun. The SX4 breaks down very easily and is very easy to clean.

The Winchester SX4 is made by Browning in the same Browning plant that produces the A5, Maxus II and Silver. The SX4 is a well made, robust gun that will serve you well. I hunt more with my SX4 Universal 24" gun than any other shotgun I have. I've used it for deer, turkey and small game.

The SX4 is going to be a lot less expensive than the SBE3. A lot. Like half. I don't see anything about the SBE3 that justifies a $2,000+ price. But it is a nice gun and I would not rule one out for myself.

I have a 3.5 SX3 for a few years now. Very reliable

another vote for Maxus

The Maxus II is a great gun. My favorite is actually the 3" Hunter version. It's very light, a pleasure to carry, and handles light loads well.

Something to consider is the ability to adjust cast and drop with shims. If those aren’t right for you, hits are just a matter of being lucky misses. My Benelli and Beretta guns can be adjusted to fit and hit. Don’t know about the others.