I had a franchi I-12 and it was a pretty good gun. Then I got the SBE II and it shoulders much better than the I-12. But you should appreciate them both.

3 shots > 2 shots ?

browning A5 new or vintage is what you need

SBE is a fine gun and I thought I wanted one for years. I recently bought a Beretta A400 Xcel because I'm getting pretty serious about sporting clays and 5 stand. Decided to go with the recommendation of a few master class shooters and I see several A400s at shoots. I don't think I've ever seen an SBE at a registered shoot but I see them at fundraiser (non NSCA shoots). I can't really give a good comparison between that and the SBE because the few times I've shot one is when duck hunting with my BIL. I rarely duck hunt but I use one of his SBEs when I do. He duck hunts 5 out of 7 days a week during the season and owns several SBEs. Absolutely swears by them. I think the gun is heavy and probably overkill for anything other than water foul. The synthetic is great when you are dealing with rain and mud but I prefer wood.

There are several great choices in that price range others have mentioned here. I wouldn't get too hung up on "last shotgun you'll ever purchase" type thinking because you can always sell it and trade for something else if you decide you don't like it or just want to try something different. I love my old A5 and will still continue to shoot it but my A400 is really growing on me and is really better for clays. Very light and quick to go from first shot/target to the next. I'd suggest looking at something a little more on the lighter, general purpose side. Beretta autos, Browning A5 and Citori....there's nothing wrong with an old 1100. Probably more A5s and 1100s that have been passed down to kids and grandkids that are still killing doves and clays today. And, if you're not considering an over/under because of the recoil, a good quality O/U that fits well will not be a recoil problem. I shoot with plenty of guys that have 30-40 years on me and they handle 200+ rounds a day out of their O/Us at shoots, no problem.

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SBE is a fine gun and I thought I wanted one for years. I recently bought a Beretta A400 Xcel because I'm getting pretty serious about sporting clays and 5 stand. Decided to go with the recommendation of a few master class shooters and I see several A400s at shoots. I don't think I've ever seen an SBE at a registered shoot but I see them at fundraiser (non NSCA shoots). I can't really give a good comparison between that and the SBE because the few times I've shot one is when duck hunting with my BIL. I rarely duck hunt but I use one of his SBEs when I do. He duck hunts 5 out of 7 days a week during the season and owns several SBEs. Absolutely swears by them. I think the gun is heavy and probably overkill for anything other than water foul. The synthetic is great when you are dealing with rain and mud but I prefer wood.

There are several great choices in that price range others have mentioned here. I wouldn't get too hung up on "last shotgun you'll ever purchase" type thinking because you can always sell it and trade for something else if you decide you don't like it or just want to try something different. I love my old A5 and will still continue to shoot it but my A400 is really growing on me and is really better for clays. Very light and quick to go from first shot/target to the next. I'd suggest looking at something a little more on the lighter, general purpose side. Beretta autos, Browning A5 and Citori....there's nothing wrong with an old 1100. Probably more A5s and 1100s that have been passed down to kids and grandkids that are still killing doves and clays today. And, if you're not considering an over/under because of the recoil, a good quality O/U that fits well will not be a recoil problem. I shoot with plenty of guys that have 30-40 years on me and they handle 200+ rounds a day out of their O/Us at shoots, no problem.

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B-M2 20 gauge just right for doves.

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SBE is a fine gun and I thought I wanted one for years. I recently bought a Beretta A400 Xcel because I'm getting pretty serious about sporting clays and 5 stand. Decided to go with the recommendation of a few master class shooters and I see several A400s at shoots. I don't think I've ever seen an SBE at a registered shoot but I see them at fundraiser (non NSCA shoots). I can't really give a good comparison between that and the SBE because the few times I've shot one is when duck hunting with my BIL. I rarely duck hunt but I use one of his SBEs when I do. He duck hunts 5 out of 7 days a week during the season and owns several SBEs. Absolutely swears by them. I think the gun is heavy and probably overkill for anything other than water foul. The synthetic is great when you are dealing with rain and mud but I prefer wood.

There are several great choices in that price range others have mentioned here. I wouldn't get too hung up on "last shotgun you'll ever purchase" type thinking because you can always sell it and trade for something else if you decide you don't like it or just want to try something different. I love my old A5 and will still continue to shoot it but my A400 is really growing on me and is really better for clays. Very light and quick to go from first shot/target to the next. I'd suggest looking at something a little more on the lighter, general purpose side. Beretta autos, Browning A5 and Citori....there's nothing wrong with an old 1100. Probably more A5s and 1100s that have been passed down to kids and grandkids that are still killing doves and clays today. And, if you're not considering an over/under because of the recoil, a good quality O/U that fits well will not be a recoil problem. I shoot with plenty of guys that have 30-40 years on me and they handle 200+ rounds a day out of their O/Us at shoots, no problem.

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Exactly. That's why I said when you get in the price range he's looking at it comes down to what fits and feels better in his hands. They all have their pros and cons and are damn good guns.

I will add regarding your comment about registered shoots, shooting sports is a "sceenster" sport for lack of a better word and Beretta has done a great job of marketing themselves in that world unless you are shooting one of the high end guns. Nothing wrong with shooting them, Beretta makes some really nice guns for shooting sports. I think the AL391 is still one of the most widely used. I still shoot my SBE personally, but there aren't a lot using them.

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shooting sports is a "sceenster" sport for lack of a better word and Beretta has done a great job of marketing themselves in that world unless you are shooting one of the high end guns.

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Oh yeah, you're not kidding there! Got to have all the right (brand) gear! My dad has been shooting an AL391 for years and loves it. Maybe someday I'll be able to justify a Perrazi or Krieghoff but I don't see it happening anytime soon. It still gives me great pleasure to walk away with first place trophies shooting my vintage 50's A5 (fixed modified choke) that my grandfather gave me.

After all the feedback and more research I'm thinking the Ethos or Cordoba. I looked at some of the others mentioned and plan to go to my local gun shop to put my hands on as many of them as possible to see which one feels best tracking a target.

Hmmm. Looking at the Beretta A400 Xplor Action. Anyone have experience with this piece?

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Hmmm. Looking at the Beretta A400 Xplor Action. Anyone have experience with this piece?

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I've been looking at it in a 20 for a dove gun. Nothing to add but it handles and looks very nice in the store.

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Hmmm. Looking at the Beretta A400 Xplor Action. Anyone have experience with this piece?

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That is a very similar gun to my A400 Xcel. I think the only differences between that and mine are the parallel stock, high rib, and blue receiver. All I can say is I really like it and I'm glad I paid a little extra for the "kick off" recoil system. It's pretty amazing how well that works, especially with high velocity shells. The only thing I've found that I don't like about the gun is the plastic around the trigger guard and on the stock. I know it's to save weight but it just adds a cheap feel to me.

Let me know if you want to meet up at the Capital City Club and I'll be more than happy to let you give my A400 a try. It's not exactly what you are looking at but that would at least give you a general feel for the gun. Maybe Sunday morning?