Description
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, Semi-Auto12 Ga, 24″, 3.5″, 3rd, Slug Barrel, Black is a purpose-built, semi-automatic shotgun designed for serious waterfowlers and turkey hunters who demand reliability in punishing conditions. It’s the third generation of the iconic inertia-driven system, now featuring a dedicated rifled slug barrel for exceptional accuracy with sabot slugs, making it a true crossover tool for the hunter who needs one gun to do it all. I’ve put hundreds of rounds of everything from light 2.75″ target loads to punishing 3.5″ magnums through this platform, and its ability to cycle them all without adjustment is what makes it legendary.
Key Features
- Benelli Inertia Driven System: The heart of the gun. Simple, reliable, and easy to clean with far fewer parts than a gas system. It runs clean and cycles everything from light loads to heavy magnums.
- 24″ Rifled Slug Barrel: This isn’t an afterthought. It’s a dedicated, fully rifled barrel with a 1:28″ twist rate, optimized for modern sabot slugs. The accuracy potential is a game-changer for deer hunting in shotgun-only zones.
- 3.5″ Chamber: Full magnum capability for the longest waterfowl shots or big turkey loads. You have the flexibility to shoot 2.75″, 3″, and 3.5″ shells interchangeably.
- Comfortech 3 Stock System: Reduces felt recoil significantly with its gel-infused cheek pad and progressive recoil-reducing buttpad. After a long day of shooting heavy loads, you’ll feel the difference.
- Third Generation Updates: Includes the new larger trigger guard, textured gripping surfaces on the forend and receiver, and an improved bolt release for smoother operation.
Specifications & Details
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 12 Gauge |
| Action | Semi-Automatic (Inertia Driven) |
| Barrel Length | 24 Inches |
| Barrel Type | Fully Rifled Slug Barrel |
| Chamber | 3.5 Inches |
| Overall Length | Approx. 45.5 Inches |
| Weight | Approx. 7.3 lbs |
| Capacity | 3+1 (with plug installed) |
| Finish | Black Synthetic |
Look, the weight—coming in at a very manageable 7.3 pounds—is a huge plus when you’re carrying it through a marsh or tracking a blood trail. That said, the real magic is in the barrel swap. This slug barrel is drop-in ready; you can switch from your standard vent-rib bird barrel to this dedicated slug setup in under a minute with no tools and no gunsmithing required. It maintains zero beautifully, which is critical. The price point of $1776.03 reflects its status as a premium, do-everything hunting tool, not just another shotgun.
Who This Shotgun Is For
This specific configuration is for the versatile hunter. You’re the person who hunts ducks in the morning from a layout blind and then heads to a timber stand for whitetail in the afternoon. It’s for the Missouri hunter who needs a reliable, foul-weather companion for waterfowl but also requires pinpoint accuracy for deer in our shotgun-only counties. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the limitations of a smoothbore with foster slugs, this gun solves that problem definitively.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Legendary Benelli reliability and simple maintenance. Incredible versatility across shell lengths and hunting types. The dedicated rifled barrel offers rifle-like accuracy with proper sabot slugs. The Comfortech stock genuinely works to tame recoil. The fit and finish are what you expect at this price.
Cons: The premium price tag is a real consideration. The inertia system has a distinct, sharper felt recoil impulse compared to some soft-shooting gas guns, though the Comfortech stock mitigates this. The 24″ slug barrel is specialized; if you only hunt birds, you’d be better served with a longer, choked barrel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this really one gun that can handle waterfowl, turkey, and deer hunting?
A: Absolutely, that’s its core design. With the included 24″ rifled slug barrel, it’s a deer slayer. Simply swap to a standard Benelli SBE3 bird barrel (sold separately) with your chosen chokes, and you’re ready for feathers. The action handles all shell lengths flawlessly.
Q: What kind of accuracy can I expect with the rifled slug barrel?
A: With quality, matched sabot slugs (I’ve had great results with Federal Trophy Copper and Hornady SST), 2-3 inch groups at 100 yards are a very realistic expectation from a solid rest. That’s ethical range for any whitetail.
Q: What’s included in the box?
A: You get the shotgun with the 24″ rifled slug barrel installed, one choke tube (likely a cylinder or improved cylinder for the slug barrel), a shim kit for stock adjustment, and the factory case. Remember, an FFL transfer is required for firearm purchases when it ships to Missouri and compliant US states.
If you need one shotgun that can legitimately be your go-to for 90% of North American game, the SBE3 in this slug-ready configuration is it. See the full details on our site.
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