Best Autoloader for high volume wing shooting

I like the Remingtons, but you would likely have to give the gas system a quick spray and wipe every 400 rounds or so. Most of the outfitters down there supply Berettas or Benellis.

For a current production gun, I wouldn't look any further than the Beretta A400. Any of the Benelli's would hold up just as well, but the significantly harsher recoil would be a deal breaker for me for high volume shooting. Nothing against Remingtons, but they aren't known for running long strings of fire without some attention (cleaning/lubrication).

I shot probably 5000 rounds thru a Remington 1100 then it was lost overboard in a boating mishap. I replaced the 1100 with a used 11-87 and it is going on close to 6000 rounds without any problems. I know there are other good semi autos but I have had great luck with Remington.

I am assuming this guy is not poor, and could likely have gotten anything he wanted, and he wore out an 11-87. Think about that.
I have over 115,000 rounds thru my 1963 Model 1100 and it isn't close to worn out. I have owned about everything but a Benelli, some guns worth up in five figures (which isn't that much in the gun world) and they are all gone but my Remingtons and a Browning now. Sometimes it's not about what the gun writer's like, or what gets the best reviews, or what's the latest thing with the most bells and whistles; it's about shooting what you like to shoot.
I am not saying Benellis don't work, or that Beretta isn't building some nice guns either.

I have been shooting a Beretta for clays and hunting the past 8 years. About 16,000 shells through it total with very few failures.

For the past 2.5 years I have been shooting a Benelli in 3-Gun and have been putting about 3,000 rounds through it each year, abusing it more than any other gun that I have. It hasn't missed a beat that wasn't caused by underpowered ammo.

I would not hesitate to pick up another Beretta or Benelli, but there are other guns that can run just as reliably - I just don't have experience with them.

Okay, more info is good. I would look at the Remington VersaMax models and the Berettas. They both are very versatile, and reliable, and the Berettas are available in some nice polished models with wood furniture, if that matters to him. Both are available in camo or flat finishes with synthetic furniture. The only current new 11-87s available are somewhat economy finished hunting models, and the only new Model 1100s are very nice, but strictly 2-3/4" capable guns aimed at the clay target genre.
There are a slew of other guns available, but I don't know anyone who would be ashamed to say their employees got them a Beretta or a VersaMax. And both have adjustable fit as well. The Browning Maxus might also be worth considering.

Benelli for high volume, followed by Beretta - those are THE guns in South America where shots can number in the thousands per day.

The Beretta is softer, but the Benelli doesn't get dirty - but then his bird boy will be cleaning it at lunch

Benelli.

Beretta A400 Xplor Unico. I have one and its a great shooter.
Reliable easy to clean and the action spring is around the magazine tube instead of in the stock. So if it should get dropped in the mud it is very easy to disassemble and clean. The kick off stock eliminates almost all of the felt recoil so a couple hundred shells are nothing. It also cycles light target loads or heavy 3.5 magnum loads without any adjustment.

COSMI Autoloader

If money is really no object most would consider the COSMI 20 guage and 28 guage autoloaders to be the best in the world. Prices range from about $8,000 up to $20,000.

Yes they are wonderfully made guns and haven't changed in all these years; but personally, if I was going to spend 9K+, it would be on a Perazzi spec'd out to my personal preferences......

Keep in mind that a guy that shoots that much knows what he likes. Remington's and Beretta's do feel and handle differently. It might throw him off and make him unhappy to switch brands. I like them both but it takes effort and sometimes refitting to change brands. For doves any of the Remington's do well but I would stick to a nice grade 11-87 or Versa-max. Unless you find he wants to try something different. Most likely not.

For doves in the US, a Remington will do; in the ares of South America his boss has been to, they wouldn't last the morning without stoppages

Cordoba dove shooting

I've been to 3 different estancias in Cordoba for dove and wood pigeon and always took a pair of Ruger 20 and 28 gauge and put an average of 1500 shots through them every day with no problem. Most of the really high volume dove shooters I know use a pair of Berettas or Benelli shotguns. One bird boy keeps track of the shells and kills and the second keeps the guns loaded, no plugs. That's how they kill 2 to 4 thousand birds a day. You might want to consider getting him a pair of guns if he is really serious about high volume shooting. Also, consider synthetic stocks. I've seen wood forearms charred black after a morning of hot shooting.

The OP said he did not like the recoil action of a Benelli. Beretta's can be either gas or recoil.

Beretta or Benelli

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Tom, I believe the record in Córdoba is over 10,000 shots in one day using a lot of loaders and guns. IIRC, the gents had a success rate of over 75%.

No way your average gun or guy will do that, but nice to know it is possible

pricey doves

At $12 a box that's one hell of an ammo bill for one day.

Imagine that for THREE days.

I know a gent who is an outfitter who arranges shoots all over the world; according to him, frequently, the ammo bill for a SA shoot FAR exceeds the other costs for the shoot, including the airfare. Just depends on whether you want to really shoot a lot......

For 27 dollars you could buy him a new spring kit for his 1100 and he would be good for another 100k.

A Remington Model 1100 LT20 set the record for going something like 24,000 shots with no stoppages or failures and no cleanings. I do not know what kind of shells they were using, but at that time they were owned by DuPont, and DuPont was making powder. I know none of mine would go that far with anything I have ever shot. If I was to go to Argentina and took my own guns, I'd take a can of RemOil and a rag. I am not so rabid a shooter that I couldn't take 5 minutes here or there and do a quick wipe down of the gas parts. But, I would also probably not take my guns and use whatever they provided. The gun boys would probably be fighting to see who got me the second day, because I wouldn't shoot anywhere close to as many as I could. Not faulting others; to each their own.