Benelli SBE II bore size

[hurricane]

plan to order a new SBE II after so many great comments on it. the gunsmith is a friend and insists he won't order until I can tell him why the Benelli has a different bore size compared to other 12 ga shotguns. Unable to find such info on the website and have found no posts on these forums. He's a known leg puller but I figured one of you might be able to set me straight and shut him up so I can order my shotgun! Thanks

[tucker301]

Why do you need to order a stock production gun from a gunsmith?
Buy it from a Bass Pro, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, or on the net and save money.
Once you've received it, take it by your gunsmith's shop and let him measure the bore to satisfy his curiosity.

[hattles]

plan to order a new SBE II after so many great comments on it. the gunsmith is a friend and insists he won't order until I can tell him why the Benelli has a different bore size compared to other 12 ga shotguns. Unable to find such info on the website and have found no posts on these forums. He's a known leg puller but I figured one of you might be able to set me straight and shut him up so I can order my shotgun! Thanks

From what I can ascertain from the internet, Benelli 12 gauge bore size is 0.725" while the normal 12 bore size is 0.729"

As for the why, beats me.

I think you should demand a cost + 5% price on your SBEII from your gunsmith.

[OldFlick]

There is a range of bore diamaters that meets the standard of a 12 gauge, SBE leans towards the tighter side. They feel their market is for what they make. Berretta runs middle of the road and Browning seems to go large. I do not know how many different makers have same diamater, less than you would think.

[hurricane]

Thanks for the replies. Re my purchase decision, I work at the company where I am ordering and qualify for a "pro" deal at about 50% of retail, hard to argue with. Re the bore size, I had noticed while researching choke tubes for my Beretta Silver Pigeon S that there is a good deal of variability in bore sized from one gun, and one manufacturer to another. Just another case where there is more than one right answer, I guess. Thanks, Hattles, for the measurement, I had not seen such numbers. Good shooting to all.

[hattles]

Thanks for the replies. Re my purchase decision, I work at the company where I am ordering and qualify for a "pro" deal at about 50% of retail, hard to argue with. Re the bore size, I had noticed while researching choke tubes for my Beretta Silver Pigeon S that there is a good deal of variability in bore sized from one gun, and one manufacturer to another. Just another case where there is more than one right answer, I guess. Thanks, Hattles, for the measurement, I had not seen such numbers. Good shooting to all.

hurricane, sounds like a good place to work and a great deal. Good luck and let us know what you choose.

[fikester]

Thanks for the replies. Re my purchase decision, I work at the company where I am ordering and qualify for a "pro" deal at about 50% of retail, hard to argue with. Re the bore size, I had noticed while researching choke tubes for my Beretta Silver Pigeon S that there is a good deal of variability in bore sized from one gun, and one manufacturer to another. Just another case where there is more than one right answer, I guess. Thanks, Hattles, for the measurement, I had not seen such numbers. Good shooting to all.

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50% off retail price......? wow

[mudhen]

he won't order until I can tell him why the Benelli has a different bore size compared to other 12 ga shotguns

So it will work

Tell him to read up on the inertia driven system of Benelli. It requires a certain bore to function. If you bore out a Benelli enough, it will stop cycling.

Bore ID runs all over the place on Benellis, always has, always will as long as the boring bit costs big $$$.

Spec ID is .723, but I've seen them all the way down to .718, and I own a .719 SBE II. They start with a new bore cutter at .723, and go from there.

Blame Franky for making the barrels this way

I know turkey hunters that will mic a Benelli before buying it. Of course, the new sugar shot has really helped Benelli's skinny bores....