All purpose (hunting) shotgun?

My wife shoots the Beretta A400 Xplor Unico - this is the green receiver 3.5" gun with their Kick-Off recoil reducer. Being designed for hunting over targets, it weighs right at 7# and even works perfectly with my 3/4oz 12 gauge reloads. She shoots it for sporting clays and it has shims to adjust drop and cast for a better fit

I have truly been loving my Remington V3, and I am a longtime “Remington Hater”

My 870 Supermag is the turkey model, 23" VR RC bbl.
It is too short really for waterfowl, but I suppose I could use it (rather swap to a longer bbl).
Have run it for turkey and predator as is. And have limited out on dove hunts with it too (not ideal there either).
Short enough its my HD rig .

But its a 23", not 21" like other turkey models.
It kinda sorta does it all.
Could run it on waterfowl (have some 3.5" steel w cutter and hex pellets). Not tried yet.
Used to run a reg 3" 1100 magnum w bismuth ($$$). Still have one.
Haven't goose hunted for a long while.

I do like a 28" or 30" 1100 for doves though, Trap model or standard.
But for long walks and other critters, I tote the lighter 870.

I have a stoeger m3500 and after breakin it runs anything and everything. I’d say it’s one of the better deals on an autoloader. In the group I trap shoot/hunt with there’s also two 870s that works well but I’m not a huge fan of. Pump wise I prefer the mossburgs or the Benelli nova (that’s by far the easiest gun to clean I’ve ever used.

Browning Silver and Maxus
Winchester SX4 and SX3
Beretta A300
Remington V3
Mossberg 930
Weatherby SA-08
None of the above are pumps, I don’t get along with them. Price range runs from $500.00 to $1500.00. I don’t shop by brand anymore, I shop by fit. If it fit I’d get a V3.

The Silver, SX3 and SX4 are the exact same internally and the Maxus is very close to them internally. The differences between them are the exterior accoutrements.

i would like to have all of the money i spent on settling for various shotguns. remingtons, winchesters, ithacas, along with a weatherby. i could have bought a citori and a good used pick up besides. just saying dc.

Budget?

For all around I'd want a semi auto capable of reliably firing both 2 3/4" and 3" shells. There is very little need for 3 1/2" shells. I like a 26" barrel for all around use, longer or shorter can be good, but are less versatile. Gas operated or inertia would depend on how I used it. If primarily for hunting with some clays games occasionally to keep in practice I like the inertia operated guns. If clay shooting is a big part of your use and only occasionally hunting then a heavier, lighter recoiling gas gun would be a better option.

Years ago I picked up a used Benelli M-1 with a 26" barrel at a great price. I've liked it so well I found another used one with a 24" barrel. I eventually sold everything else other than a short barreled 870 for HD purposes. If I had to replace them I'd not even consider anything other than the M-2 which is a newer version of my guns.

The M-1/M-2 is a very light easy to carry gun. Mine are 7 lbs each. They come up quick and point well for me. For the type of hunting I do a longer 28" barrel would be more cumbersome. My waterfowl hunting is at closer ranges shooting over beaver ponds. No long range pass shooting. The rest is either upland game or turkey, both of which call for shorter, quicker handling guns.

From a 7 lb inertia gun recoil is more than from an 8 lb gas operated gun. That is why I'd go gas if primarily used for clay games. But it isn't any worse than a comparable pump or double.

dieselchief said:

i would like to have all of the money i spent on settling for various shotguns. remingtons, winchesters, ithacas, along with a weatherby. i could have bought a citori and a good used pick up besides. just saying dc.

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I have maybe $25K in shotguns; that's is nothing compared to the target and ammo costs since 1985..........

Get an 870 Wingmaster that's 3" capable. One 26" barrel and 30" barrel, both threaded for remchoke, both with 3" chambers and both vent rib. Then you are set for life for any and every shotgunning purpose. Plus all your friends will envy your taste and good judgement when it comes to shotguns.

My pheasant hunting friend has a Benelli Ultralight 12. She says the guys get real interested in her Girly Gun in the afternoon.

Mossberg 500. End of story.

The best shotgun for me is semiautomatic 12 gauge with a minimum 4+1 capacity capable of accepting a mag extension. It’s got a 28” and accepts different chokes. It will shoot 2 3/4 and 3” shells and will handle light skeet loads fine.

Right now, I have a CZ-712 that fits this pretty much, but I want a Benelli next.

For waterfowl a Mossberg 500 or 835. These will also take turkey, pheasant, rabbits, and squirrels.
Your Mod 12 20 ga is an outstanding upland game gun. If it can be repaired reasonably you can't do better! If you wish a new upland gun a CZ OU in 20 ga is ideal.
Shotshell technology is a game changer for older guns. Tungsten, Bismuth, and blended shot can make your A-5 a legit duck gun, the M12 a Pheasant killer.

I will say that I use a Weatherby SA-08 in 20 gauge for upland game and the like. Very nice, but higher maintenance than a simple pump and greater chance of issues in the field, like any semi-auto.

I don't actually use a Mossberg 500 in the field, but instead use a Maverick 88. I decided that something that I might end up losing in a river, clubbing a bear with, or using as a canoe paddle was not worth spending the extra money on. Basically the same shotgun, though.

brewer12345 said:

Mossberg 500. End of story.

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End of what story? The 870 Wingmaster beats a 500 every day of the week, as does a Browning BPS, Ithaca 37, and on and on.

George P said:

End of what story? The 870 Wingmaster beats a 500 every day of the week, as does a Browning BPS, Ithaca 37, and on and on.

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For something I am going to drag through the brush, stump through the marsh, drop in whatever, trip and fall down on, etc.? Basic and functional is what I want.

Well, I guess I must have better balance, because I don't drag through the brush, trip, fall of whatever......even, I'd take the 870 Express over the 500 - and I own a 500 for HD

3Crows said:

My budget, well I said middle to lower high end so I think that describes $700 to maybe $2000.

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As I stated earlier fit is very important, Benelli and Browning semi’s fit quite a bit different in my experience. For an all around shotgun that might see high volume I’d rather have a gas over an inertia shotgun, fit being equal. YMMV. For under $1500.00 my favorite by far is the FABARM L4S Initial Hunter which I have.

3Crows said:

I was hoping for probably an auto with an interchangeable choke system, Browning, Benelli or something along those lines.

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Any new semi or pump will have that feature with the exception of some dedicated HD/SD shotguns and rifled barrel slug guns. Any field shotgun will have interchangeable chokes if new.

George P said:

Well, I guess I must have better balance, because I don't drag through the brush, trip, fall of whatever......even, I'd take the 870 Express over the 500 - and I own a 500 for HD

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We don't hunt the same places and aren't the same people, so de gustibus non disputandam. I did all of those things and more in the last year and I spend a lot of time in the field.

As mentioned previously, your budget will help - and if I missed that, I apologize. Current quality semis can range from ~$800 to almost $3,000. based on your "mid level to high bottom" that would include several from Remington, some from Beretta, possibly even a Benelli. Personally, I would look at both the Beretta and Remingtons. Beretta A400 in various versions, the Remington 1100 and V3 in various versions - you should be able to find something in your price range that will work for you in this regard:

All around hunting, ducks, geese (least), quail, dove (most) etc. Some trap for fun but not serious.

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I'd recommend the Remington Versa-Max or V3. George P.'s suggestion of the Beretta a400 Xpolr Unico is a good one, particularly if geese are on the menu, but on the higher end of the price spectrum. Here's a used one:
https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/beretta-a400-unico-x-tra-12-gauge-s10903/

The Benelli Super Black Eagle (SBE) and Ethos are good guns in the same price range.

I'd probably avoid the 870 Express models, but the Wingmasters are good, as are the 1100's. For what a new 1100 costs, I'd get the V3 and a few flats of shells.