4 shells instead of 3?????

[Go Big Red!]

I have seen and been told that a minor grinding and re-shaping to the bottom of the bolt in a Super Black Eagle 2 will allow the user to hold a "ghost" or floating round below the bolt.  This then allows the gun to hold 1 in the chamber, 1 underneath the bolt, and 2 in the magazine tube all while having a plug.

Anyone else try or see this?  Is this legal?  Regs are real clear on this and I have not yet emailed the DNR.   

[snow]

Yes,it can be done,even on the older SBE,and no its not legal but guys that know about run 4 shells,but why would ya?

[JoeFisherman]

I'm not sure what you're asking but if your question is: Is this a loophole to allow for 4 shells when hunting waterfowl?  The answer is no.  

[Go Big Red!]

I'm not sure what you're asking but if your question is: Is this a loophole to allow for 4 shells when hunting waterfowl?  The answer is no. 

I figured that, but from what I found and read, it doesn't specifically say 3 shells max.  I'm only asking based on how the rule is written in the book.  Something to the effect of 3 shells with a one piece plug. Did I miss a section that says 3 shells max?  I don't care, I still use 3 as I'm not grinding anything down on my SBE2.

[JoeFisherman]

In the Minnesota Hunting regulations for waterfowl under Illegal Hunting Methods, it states:  You may not hunt migratory waterfowl with a shot gun that holds more than three shells...

[kenhuntin]

you can have a bandolier or shell loops for storage on the gun but not more than three that can fired without loading them. You can have as many guns with you as you want that hold only three shells though.

[snow]

With the plug in for waterfowl,YES the SBE will hold 4 shells,"can they catch the shooter with an empty gun" no only if the guy cannot cycle the 4th shell out before he's checked.I know guys that shoot upland and like the idea not having to break the gun down to pull the plug,not many benelli shooters know about this.

[Go Big Red!]

The DNR graciously got back to me today and said no, 3 shells is the max.  Neat trick though.

[Bufflehead]

The original H&K imported SBE's would float a shell along with the montifeltro's and M1's

When Benelli redesigned the guns and began importing them themselves. They would no longer do it. They had many complaints from fish & game about this fact and I'm sure it had something to do with it being changed.