what shotgun would you buy?

[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.