I’d like to update this thread over the next few months to document my range reports on the Benelli M4. I would’ve liked to have seen a thread like this before I purchased mine. If anyone has a Benelli M4 range report, feel free to add it here.
04/18/13
Pawnee Grasslands (CR88 and Hwy 14)
100 rds of Noblesport 2 3/4" 12 Pellet 00 Buck
100 rds of Federal 3 Dram Target
5 Rds of Winchester Super X B Slug
5 Rds of Federal 2 3/4" 00 Buck
5 Rds of Remington Reduced Recoil 2 3/4" 00Buck
This was the first time shooting my new M4. Other than lubing the bolt with CLP, I didnt do anything to prepare for the range session. Weather was about 25* and very windy.
The only hiccup I experienced with the full power loads was one Remington Reduced Recoil 00Buck stovepiped; it was round #2 fired.
The Noblesport ammo performed surprisingly well but grouped rather large between 15-25yds. The slugs grouped Minute-of-Fist at 50 yds.
There probably 20 FTE’s from the 100 Target loads fired. I attribute this to not being broken in yet.
Many people said that 100rds of full power loads would break a M4 in, but such is not the case for me. I understand that it was designed around full power loads, and since they performed well I have no real complaints, but I’ll be happy when it starts feeding the weaker stuff reliably. My shoulder is sore, but if it wasnt for a smooth shooting semi auto, Im not sure I wouldve made it through a 215rd range session!
No chance to try it yet, this was the first time shooting a Shotgun for me since 2007/8, so I am still trying to catch up on all of the new tech out there. Those sound like a great slug though, I think I would like to pick some of them up along with some Federal Flight Control 00Buck.
Not a M4 report, but way back when I had a HK S90 (Benelli M1). I called HK and they said to properly break it in to shoot about 200rds of 00 through it, before going to lower power shells. Did that (actually 220rds) and never had a single hiccup afterwards. Ran perfectly every time I took it out (IPSC matches mostly). Unfortunately had to sell it (regretfully) and I’m considering buying a M4 in the next few weeks. Good luck with yours, based on my sample of one, I think you’ll love owning it.
The Flite Control stuff is really nice. I’ve got an 870 Police Magnum with a 20" barrel, and it’s pretty darned amazing out of that shotgun. The other 18.5" 870 is a little looser but not by much.
The online reports I’ve read on the TruBall copper slugs is impressive. If you have a bad guy hiding behind a car, he’d better be directly behind the engine block. Otherwise he’ll begin to leak hydraulic fluid rather quickly.
I’m going to dig out some lumber and some cheap deadbolts, and see how they work on doors. Nothing scientific, it’s just the 03 in me that can’t resist blowing shit up.
I have, and through my M4S90 with MOD choke, they patterned. This was a gun that could shoot a ragged hole with cheap Remington or Brenneke’s, and I was getting a dinner-plate pattern at about 50 yards with those. Went back to what I was shooting (Brenneke), and life is good. Oh, well.
Flite Control also did poorly in my Benelli M4s, as I’ve tried it in several. All preferred quality buckshot with conventional wads. Ranger 9-pellet or Remington 000 seem to be the top two in my Benelli’s.
