Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE 3) 20-Gauge: The Ultimate Waterfowling Shotgun

When the biting wind whips across the marsh, and the call of migrating waterfowl fills the dawn, a serious hunter demands a shotgun that doesn't just perform – it dominates. For those who seek absolute superiority in the most unforgiving conditions, facing mud, ice, rain, and relentless elements, the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE 3) 20-Gauge stands as the definitive answer. This isn't merely an upgrade; it's a meticulously engineered evolution, designed to solve the inherent challenges of waterfowling with intuitive, flawless functionality, unparalleled comfort, and an aesthetic that speaks to the modern outdoorsman.

The Pinnacle of Waterfowling Performance: What Makes the SBE 3 20-Gauge the Ultimate Choice?

Developed over nearly a decade with invaluable insights from Benelli's pro-staff and seasoned veteran hunters, the SBE 3 platform underwent a complete redesign. The focus was clear: enhance ergonomics for sustained comfort, ensure impeccable functionality under duress, and refine its style for today’s demanding hunter. This dedication translates into a firearm that not only withstands the rigors of the hunt but elevates the entire experience, helping you achieve success when it matters most.

Unrivaled Ergonomics: Designed for the Hunter, By the Hunter

Long days in the blind or slogging through flooded timber can take a toll. The Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge addresses this head-on with a suite of ergonomic improvements that truly make a difference. The goal was to create a shotgun that feels like an extension of the shooter, reducing fatigue and enhancing natural pointability.

• Redesigned Stock and Forend: Every curve and contour of the stock and forend has been re-evaluated. The result is a more positive, secure grip, even when your hands are numb from the cold or slick with rain. This enhanced grip stability contributes directly to improved swing and follow-through, leading to more consistent shot placement.
• The Revolutionary ComforTech System: A cornerstone of Benelli's commitment to shooter comfort, the patented ComforTech stock system in the SBE 3 is more advanced than ever. How does the ComforTech system reduce felt recoil? It strategically places shock-absorbing chevrons within the stock, which flex and absorb energy during recoil. This innovative design works in conjunction with a specially designed gel recoil pad and optional gel comb insert to significantly diminish felt recoil by up to 48% and reduce muzzle climb by 15%.
  • User Outcome: For the hunter, this means less shoulder fatigue, allowing for more comfortable shooting of magnum loads throughout the day. It also facilitates faster and more accurate follow-up shots, crucial when multiple birds are decoying or when you need to make a quick second pass. This system is a game-changer for anyone who has experienced the discomfort of traditional shotgun recoil, ensuring you can stay focused on the hunt, not the kick.
• Customizable Fit: The SBE 3 20-Gauge offers an impressive level of adjustability to ensure a perfect fit for nearly any shooter. With an industry-leading Length of Pull (14-3/8 inches), Drop at Heel (2-1/8 inches), and Drop at Comb (1-3/8 inches), the gun can be tailored to individual preferences using the included shim kit. Why is proper gun fit important? A shotgun that fits correctly points naturally, allowing for intuitive target acquisition and more consistent patterns on target. This adaptability makes the SBE 3 an excellent choice not only for seasoned adults but also for smaller-framed shooters or youth hunters venturing into serious waterfowling.

Intuitive, Flawless Functionality: The Heartbeat of Reliability in the Field

When ducks are cupped and committed, you can't afford a malfunction. The Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge is engineered for absolute reliability, leveraging Benelli’s legendary Inertia-Driven® System – a benchmark for performance in the most hostile environments.

• The Unstoppable Inertia-Driven® System: What makes Benelli shotguns so incredibly reliable? The secret lies in their Inertia-Driven® system. This ingenious design utilizes the kinetic energy of the firing cartridge to cycle the action, requiring fewer moving parts than gas-operated systems. Fewer parts mean less to go wrong, and less fouling buildup.
  • Real-World Advantage: This system excels where others fail: in extreme cold, when exposed to mud, grit, heavy rain, or even submerged conditions. Unlike gas systems that can become sluggish or fail when clogged with debris or carbon, the Inertia-Driven® system operates cleanly and consistently, ensuring unfailing cycling of a wide range of loads, from light target loads (minimum recommended load: 7/8-oz.) to heavy magnum waterfowl loads. This reliability is why professionals trust Benelli when their success depends on every shot.
• Enhanced Controls for Gloved Hands: In freezing conditions, dexterity is often compromised by heavy gloves. Benelli engineers paid meticulous attention to this, designing oversized controls for intuitive operation:
  • Larger Bolt Handle: Easily manipulated even with thick gloves, ensuring quick and positive cycling.
  • Enlarged Loading Port: Makes loading and unloading quicker and more efficient, reducing fumbling when every second counts.
  • Improved Magazine Cap: Simple to remove and replace for field stripping or cleaning.
  • Redesigned Safety: Positioned for rapid engagement and disengagement, even with cumbersome handwear.
  • Trigger Guard: Ample space for gloved fingers to access the trigger without obstruction.
• Cryogenically Treated Barrels and Chokes: The Crio System Advantage: The SBE 3 features Benelli's innovative Crio System for both its barrel and Crio Chokes. What is the Crio System and how does it benefit shotgun performance? Cryogenic treatment, a process of deep-freezing the barrel and chokes, relieves stresses induced during manufacturing. This results in a more uniform molecular structure, leading to smoother, more consistent bore dimensions.
  • User Benefit: For the hunter, this translates into denser, more uniform shot patterns, meaning more pellets on target and cleaner kills. The Crio System also reduces barrel friction, keeping the bore cleaner and extending the life of both the barrel and the choke tubes. The SBE 3 20-Gauge comes equipped with a versatile set of Crio Chokes: Crio C (Cylinder), Crio IM (Improved Modified), Crio F (Full), Extended Crio IC (Improved Cylinder), and Extended Crio M (Modified), allowing you to tailor your pattern to the specific hunting scenario and target range.

An Updated Design, Style, and Feel: Aesthetics Meet Durability

The Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge isn't just a workhorse; it's a statement piece. Its modern design and robust finish reflect its underlying performance capabilities.

• Gore Optifade Timber Finish: The shotgun is adorned with the effective Gore Optifade Timber camouflage pattern. This advanced pattern isn't just about looking good; it's scientifically designed to make you disappear in waterfowl environments, disrupting the animal’s perception of the human form rather than simply blending colors. It’s highly durable, resistant to scratches, abrasions, and the harsh chemicals often encountered in hunting environments.
• Streamlined Profile: The overall design is sleek and balanced, allowing for quick transitions between targets and easy maneuverability in confined spaces like boat blinds or dense cover.
• Durable Construction: Every component is built to withstand saltwater, extreme temperatures, and heavy use, ensuring the SBE 3 remains a reliable companion for decades of hunting seasons.

The Versatility of the 20-Gauge: Is it Enough for Waterfowl?

A common question among hunters is, "Is a 20-gauge shotgun effective for duck and goose hunting?" The answer, especially with modern ammunition and a high-performance shotgun like the Benelli SBE 3, is an emphatic yes.

• Lighter Weight, Less Recoil: At a mere 5.9 lbs, the Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to carry through marshes and swamps, and quick to shoulder. This lighter weight, combined with the ComforTech system, means significantly less recoil than its 12-gauge counterparts. This is a huge advantage for:
  • Youth Hunters: Provides an excellent platform for young hunters to learn and build confidence without being intimidated by heavy recoil.
  • Smaller-Framed Shooters: Offers a comfortable and effective option where a 12-gauge might be too much.
  • High-Volume Shooting: Reduces fatigue during long days of shooting or in scenarios requiring many shots, such as high-volume dove or teal hunts.
• Potent Performance with Modern Loads: Advancements in shotgun ammunition, particularly in bismuth, tungsten, and high-performance steel shot, have made the 20-gauge a formidable waterfowl tool. These modern loads deliver excellent payload, velocity, and penetration, ensuring clean, ethical kills on ducks and even geese within reasonable ranges.
• Maneuverability: The smaller frame and lighter swing weight of the 20-gauge contribute to faster target acquisition and better control, particularly in tight blinds or when birds decoy close.

Maintenance and Longevity: An Investment for Generations

Another critical factor for serious hunters is ease of maintenance and long-term durability. The Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge excels here as well.

• Simple Disassembly: The Inertia-Driven® system's simplicity extends to cleaning. With fewer parts than gas systems, field stripping and cleaning are remarkably straightforward, meaning less time cleaning and more time hunting.
• Built to Last: Benelli firearms are renowned for their robust construction and ability to endure decades of hard use. Investing in an SBE 3 is investing in a piece of equipment that will serve faithfully for countless seasons, potentially becoming a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations of hunters.

Why the Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge is the Smart Choice for Serious Waterfowlers:

• Uncompromising Reliability: Cycles flawlessly in the most extreme conditions.
• Superior Comfort & Reduced Fatigue: Thanks to the advanced ComforTech system.
• Exceptional Pattern Consistency: Crio barrel and chokes deliver tight, uniform patterns.
• Lightweight & Agile: Easy to carry, quick to swing, and manageable recoil.
• Optimized Ergonomics: Designed for natural pointing and comfortable handling, even with gloves.
• Modern Aesthetics & Durable Finish: Looks great and withstands the elements.
• Proven Performance: Trusted by professional hunters and serious enthusiasts worldwide.

Whether you're battling a severe northern front in search of mallards, hidden deep in a coastal marsh for brant, or breaking ice for divers, the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 20-Gauge is the shotgun engineered to ensure your success. It’s not just about the shot; it’s about the confidence that comes from carrying a firearm designed for absolute superiority in the field.

This highly sought-after firearm, Benelli's finest in its class, is available through reputable dealers such as DEGuns. When you're ready to elevate your waterfowling game to the absolute pinnacle, the Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge is the undisputed leader.

Benelli SBE 3 20-Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail
Caliber	20 Gauge, 3"
Magazine Capacity	3+1 Shots
Barrel Length	28"
Overall Length	49.5"
Weight	5.9 lbs.
Finish	Gore Optifade Timber
Stock	ComforTech
Chokes Included	Crio C, Crio IM, Crio F, Extended Crio IC, Extended Crio M
Sights	Red-Bar Front and Metal Bead Mid-Sight
Length of Pull	14-3/8"
Drop at Heel	2-1/8"
Drop at Comb	1-3/8"
Min. Recommended Load	7/8-oz. loads
SKU	10343
UPC	650350103434