Good budget semi auto?

[SquidBilly]

Seems like within the last 5 years the semi auto shotgun market has gotten really competitive.

Alot of decent looking guns I see now, many reasonably priced. Some for under $300, which is tempting if the gun will perform. Even a 930 has dropped in price.

Just doing some window shopping for now, but seeing what you all might reccomend or own/have owned?

[bigbearbear]

What do you plan to use the shotgun for and what's your budget?

[Thefeeder]

For performance ---- go with Italian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCFEk6Y8TmM

[pennstater]

I own/shoot a 930 Field DC. I have had zero issues with it. It fits me, swings good and doesn't seem heavy. I got mine at Bud's for $489.00 last year. I 've also heard really good reports on the Rem V3 for about $550.00 at Bud's.
I do like my 930 tho. Been a good gun.

[SquidBilly]

What do you plan to use the shotgun for and what's your budget?

Turkey/Waterfowl. I would spend upwards of $500.

I own/shoot a 930 Field DC. I have had zero issues with it. It fits me, swings good and doesn't seem heavy. I got mine at Bud's for $489.00 last year. I 've also heard really good reports on the Rem V3 for about $550.00 at Bud's.
I do like my 930 tho. Been a good gun.

I have read good things about the V3. Field and Stream had a write up about them recently.

[pennstater]

SB,
Yep, have heard very good reviews regarding the V3. Wish they offered one in 20ga, but. For your $500.00+ price range, you'll find a good SA. Don't be afraid to look used, as there are some good deals to be found.

[ysr_racer]

There's one guy here that says Beretta A300's suck, so don't get one of those

[pzbike]

I have a Remington 1100 and a Beretta A300, purchased used from Calgunners. Both found near your price point, both perform very well.

[BOBGBA]

If you want a new gun, I would go to a gun shop and see how the A300 and Remington V3 feel and choose which one feels best.

Here's a great price ($519) on the A300 (but you have to pay shipping + a transfer fee)

http://www.osagecountyguns.com/beretta-a300-outlander-synthetic-12-gauge-ga-28-in-j30tt18.html

Turners has both on sale - A300 for $660 and V3 for $600.
Traditionally, I've liked the way remingtons fit, so I would probably get the V3.

https://www.turners.com/remington/remington-v3-field-sport-12-ga-280198

https://www.turners.com/beretta/beretta-a300-outlander-black-1-225639

[RNE228]

I shoot an 1100 on trap/skeet/sporting clays. It's a Skeet model. I got it used for $350 in beautiful shape. It's a great shooter.

[DArBad]

I've tried handling some of those " affordable " semi-auto shotguns around 2 weeks ago. Somehow, I like the handling and svelte contours of the Weatherby SA-08 and Winchester SX3. The Mossberg 930 though has the lowest price of the bunch.

If I have the money right now......I would be sorely tempted to purchase the Winchester SX3 Competition.

[bigbearbear]

Turkey/Waterfowl. I would spend upwards of $500.

If you don't mind the higher cost, the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 would be The Gun to look into. Even its name is awesome, the "Eagle" designation conjures up images of a predatory bird who dominates and rules the sky where it hunts; just like the hunter fortunate enough to be wielding a Benelli SBE 3 in the field.

Closer to the $500 price point, the Weatherby SA-08 and Beretta A300 would be good ones to look into. I've seen them enough on the trap field to believe they are good and reliable shotguns that can take a pounding.

You will however, give up the 3.5" chamber that the Benelli SBE 3 has. Not sure how important this is for waterfowl hunting but I've read some reviews that says they have to use it when shooting at large birds using non-lead metal shots. Could be just marketing, perhaps hunters here can chime in about utility of 2.5" shells for non-lead hunting.

[BOBGBA]

Not quite sure how a SBE III fits into the OPs plan for a budget/$500 shotgun, when it's more than 3 times the price.

[Ducky's Dad]

If OP wants a turkey/waterfowl gun, that means he wants a 12. Does not need 3.5". At $500 total price, he needs to look at used guns. Lots of Remington 1100s/11-87s and Berettas out there in that price range. Maybe a Miroku Japanese A5, but not a Belgian A5 (he'll probably want to shoot steel). Might find a Benelli M2 at that price. Maybe something from Fabarms, but scarce. I'd lean towards the Rem or Beretta. My first SBE was $600, used, but those days are gone unless he gets real lucky. I'd avoid any Browning gas auto made in Portugal, had an early Gold that was nothing but trouble. The current Win SX3 is made by FN in Belgium and seems to be a pretty solid performer, despite the fact that it uses the same gas system as the Browning Gold and Silver. Seems like Browning/Win have sorted out the gas problem on the current Belgian guns. I just bought an SX3 20ga that I'm going to try on doves, ducks, pheasants. Hope I'm not disappointed. A used SX3 12ga might be close to OP's price point, and a lot of duckers swear by their SX2s, so that might be a possibility.

[BigPimping]

I bought a Dickinson 12 gauge semi-auto at Big 5. Nothing runs perfectly and it's really fast. It's inertia driven and I've never had a bit of grief with it I have about 200 rounds through it. It was about $400 when all of a said and done. I got the one with the Wood stock and it's really nice.