what shotgun would you buy?

[vandeman17]

What shotgun would you buy if you were looking for an autoloader to use mainly for duck and goose hunting and have around a $600 budget? I currently shoot a Benneli Nova pump but am looking for an autoloader for the reduced recoil and ease of use.

[NW-GSP]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

[vandeman17]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Do you have a recommendation on what recoil pad to use? After a full day of bird hunting, my shoulder can get a bit sore from the pounding of my gun.

[jackelope]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Should I not say that my autoloaders don't jam? I'd say if they're always jamming then there's something broken or the gun is not properly maintained if I were going to say something, but I won't since you don't want anybody to say that.
With that not said, the Limbsaver pad would likely help you out a ton. What ammo are you shooting? You don't have to shoot 3.5" mag's to kill ducks.

[vandeman17]

I made the mistake of not looking closely at a discount case of shells last season and ended up ordering 3 1/2" shells instead of 3's. I shot 3's the year before and did just fine but it would still be nice to take a bit of the recoil out of the gun to make it more enjoyable on those days when I can't seem to hit a damn thing. 

[phishisgroovin]

my old inexpensive Ithaca XL-300 gas shotgun never jams.

if it did i would take it apart and see what was broken in there or if some shot balls came out of one of the shot shells.

[jackelope]

buy this
http://www.limbsaver.com/store/product.php?productid=16244

Everybody needs another shotgun though...

[ThePascoKid]

In the under $600 range I'd go with the Stoeger 2000, I went from a Nova to a Stoeger for some of the same reasons you stated and I love the Stoeger, never had any problems with it from light to heavy loads and I've had it for about 6 years now.

[JimmyHoffa]

I would look for a Browning A-5 or a Remington Model 11.  Extremely easy to disassemble and clean.  Operates great.  You can flip the gas ring by the choke tube to increase the resistance (lower the recoil) for different shells.  I don't think I've ever had a jam with either, that wasn't my fault---didn't screw the cap all the way back down .  Are you opposed to a side by side for ducks?

[uplandhunter870]

i am all for the buying of new weapons, but before you drop 600 dollars you might try some cheaper solutions.  i would give a limbsaver or kickeez recoil pad a try and maybe adding some weight to the stock. I use a kickeez on my trap guns and even after a 600 bird marathon my shoulder was never sore

[vandeman17]

I am not opposed to the side by side but it might be hard for me to only have two shots. I seem to get too excited on the first shot, rush it and then take my time on my final two shots. I am trying to break the habit and do sometimes but others I can't. I would say most my doubles are on shot's 2 and 3. As for the recoil pad, I have thought about them but just worried that it might get hung up a bit in my jacket or wader straps but I am sure I would get used to it pretty quickly.

[jackelope]

I am not opposed to the side by side but it might be hard for me to only have two shots. I seem to get too excited on the first shot, rush it and then take my time on my final two shots. I am trying to break the habit and do sometimes but others I can't. I would say most my doubles are on shot's 2 and 3. As for the recoil pad, I have thought about them but just worried that it might get hung up a bit in my jacket or wader straps but I am sure I would get used to it pretty quickly.

Are you short armed or long armed? It will lengthen your LOP by a little bit. Doesn't bother me.

[vandeman17]

I am 6'1" and have longer arms so I think I should be ok but it was just something I have thought about. I do almost all my hunting on the eastside so when it gets cold, I get bundled up and sometimes it is tough to get the gun in the slot just right quickly and thus, *Boom... Boom... Boom* "Owwwwwwwch" 

[JKEEN33]

I am not opposed to the side by side but it might be hard for me to only have two shots. I seem to get too excited on the first shot, rush it and then take my time on my final two shots. I am trying to break the habit and do sometimes but others I can't. I would say most my doubles are on shot's 2 and 3. As for the recoil pad, I have thought about them but just worried that it might get hung up a bit in my jacket or wader straps but I am sure I would get used to it pretty quickly.

You can get the limbsavers that replace the existing but pad on your shotgun. It shouldn't add any length. I put the limbsaver on my 870 that I use for turkey. Made a big difference. I would not pass the opportunity to buy another shotgun if I was in the mood though. I think I am at around 6 now.

[CP]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

I have 4 autos and none of them jam.  The only shotgun that I owned and could count on to jam routinely was a Rem 870.

[phishisgroovin]

fiocchi trap ammo WILL jam, they also lose their crimp and the shot goes all over inside your gun, i will never use them again.

[Mossy]

935.  I also picked up a SPR453 as my first autoloader on a budget, never had a problem even during break-in.

[predatorpro]

i got a tristar that i love and less than 500 bucks shoots every 12 gauge shell i put in it and have not had a jam yet

[Bofire]

 :)Well I think you ought to get a new recoil pad and a new shotgun!! I like my 11-87 Rem. bought it used at a gun show from a private party. $450.00 it looks like and works like new. 3 inch gun, I have no use for 3.5  but have one? in an 870.
Carl

[boots]

you could possibly find a used Benelli SBE/SBEII or an Xtrema in your price range. it would take a little searching but might be worth the trouble of finding one

[Tman]

Just bought a weatherby PA08 pump and like how well it was put together, tight all the way around.  I would imagine that the SA08 semi auto is a good gun as well, and below your price range.

[Special T]

My personal Preferance is a pump gun. My Bro and Inlaw both shoot mossberg 500 and i shoot an 835. I'm happy and haven't had much trouble. I like my Mossbergs better than my rem 870 express

[sakoshooter]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Do you have a recommendation on what recoil pad to use? After a full day of bird hunting, my shoulder can get a bit sore from the pounding of my gun.

You can't be serious?

[vandeman17]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Do you have a recommendation on what recoil pad to use? After a full day of bird hunting, my shoulder can get a bit sore from the pounding of my gun.

You can't be serious?

Why can't I be serious? 

[jackelope]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Do you have a recommendation on what recoil pad to use? After a full day of bird hunting, my shoulder can get a bit sore from the pounding of my gun.

You can't be serious?

Why can't I be serious? 

Because the guy said... Get a limb saver butt pad, then you asked for a recommendation on what pad to get.
The limb saver is the pad to get.

I assume thats what he meant anyway. I just looked at it as an oversight on your part though.

[vandeman17]

get a limb saver butt pad for the nova. auto loaders seem to always jam ( Im sure someone is going to get on here and yell about how they have one that does not jam)

I have a nova pump and use it for all kinds of bird hunting everything from quail to goose

Do you have a recommendation on what recoil pad to use? After a full day of bird hunting, my shoulder can get a bit sore from the pounding of my gun.

You can't be serious?

Why can't I be serious? 

Because the guy said... Get a limb saver butt pad, then you asked for a recommendation on what pad to get.
The limb saver is the pad to get.

I assume thats what he meant anyway. I just looked at it as an oversight on your part though.

Ya, I guess I just thought limb saver was a brand and not a specific product. Like if he said, "go buy a benelli" I would have asked which one in particular he liked. My bad.

[trippledigitss]

I bought an Escort 12ga Auto - PS Magnum I think? It was around $400 new in King Desert Camo, 28" barrel 3 chokes, Full, Imp Mod, Imp Cyl. They are made by Hatsan, a Turkish company, and imported by Legacy Sports, the same people that make the Howa's. I really like it, it has never jammed, even with trap loads. I shot about 150rds on the trap line this last weekend with no problems at all. I liked it so much (and couldnt decide between camos) I bought another one with a 2 barrel combo in Mossy Oak Breakup. That one came with 28" barrel, 3 chokes, and a 24" Turkey Barrel with .665 extended turkey choke, $300 used. Both shoot awesome and look great too. 

[greenhead_killer]

add 20 lbs and the beatings stop. i never have a problem

[270Shooter]

Get a new beretta 3901. About 500-600, maybe cheaper. Good solid auto, doesn't shoot 3 1/2" but who needs those anyway. Look at them, they are good.

Or you could step it up and get a benelli

[WSU]

In the under $600 range I'd go with the Stoeger 2000, I went from a Nova to a Stoeger for some of the same reasons you stated and I love the Stoeger, never had any problems with it from light to heavy loads and I've had it for about 6 years now.

I agree, but it doesn't reduce recoil as much as some other autos.  I've only had it for the last month of last season, but I've ran about a case of shells through it (mostly target loads) and haven't had any jamming issues after the first box.  Also, Stoeger has a 3000 out now that shoots 3 1/2 inch shells that I will be picking up prior to next season providing I have the money.