Need a good gun for dove season. Dont want to spend too much with my college budget. What is the best shotgun out there under $400? I work at Academy, so anything we sell would be even better! I'm hoping you geniouses out there can persuade me!!! Thanks!

870

870 Express, Charles Daly Field Hunter are both good ones for that range, a true 870 Wingmaster would be better if your discount can get it in range. Maybe a Browning BPS Stalker, they are usually a hair cheaper than a Wingmaster. Remington has $30 rebates on shotguns for a few more weeks.

Don't have any recommendations but all the sporting good stores have their best prices as hunting season is coming up.
This is probably the best time to buy a new shotgun but probably too late to get the best prices on any used guns.

hard to beat the 870. i shot a mossberg 500 for years, but i like the stylings of the 870 better, and i've found that it points and swings better too. i'm not a remington fan, but i won't shoot any other pump or auto loader unless its and 870 or 1100.

I know I sound like a broken record, but go with the 870!

I see that Academy has the 870 Express Super Mag for $249 right now with the $30 rebate. It will shoot 3.5", 3", and 2.75" shells. That gun should pretty much cover you in any hunting situation that you could come up with.

Take that extra money you are going to save and stock up on shells. They aint getting any cheaper!!!

Ok, i'm thinking of buying one as well, but what about benelli pumps?

Yildiz for 399

I'll second the Yildiz. Bought the 20 and shot a case and a half through it shooting skeet with my dad and the next day he went out and bought one too.

Get a used Benelli or Beretta.

If you want a pump sure you can spend $400 or less but if you want a good O/U or semi auto look at used guns.

Either a Yildiz which I'm still suspect of (depends on your volume of shooting) a lightly used Remington 1100.

I have a Yildiz, and 870 Express and an 870 SPS Super Magnum. I prefer the Yildiz for everything except waterfowl hunting, but if I could have only one of them I would take the 870. They almost never fail, can be worked on by any gunsmith and have been an American classic for decades. I have only shot the Benelli pump a few times and while I didn't have any problems with it, I just prefer guns with wooden stocks instead of synthetic, unless the gun is going to be a waterfowl only gun.

used 870 wingmaster

BENELLI They will last you a life time and are awesome shooting and keep a resale value

Hey H L....
Based upon customer comments, I would definately say that the YILDIZ O/U is the best buy for under $400.00! The ONLY negative that we've heard at our store, is that they need a recoil pad...such as a Limbsaver. The 20 gauge especially needs a pad!

Just an FYI.... keep your eyes open next week on the BSA side-by-sides and o/u's! !! ! !

Yildiz All the way!

870 WITHOUT A DOUBT

Geez... $400 seemed like a small fortune back when i was in college. Grab an 870 Express or whatever you can get cheap at the local pawn shop. I used to load my own shells back in school to save some bucks. Now, not so much. $400 or less will only get you a nice pump so expect that if you haven't started shoping as yet. Whatever gun you get, learn to take it apart and clean it in your sleep if need be. Good luck

Longhorn,
I've got a Charles Daly Field Hunter my wife picked up for me for less than $300. I don't shoot is a whole lot, but the times I have, I've had no problems with it. I've owned a Charles Daly .45 for 11 years now, that has been through the ringer. Some think you must spend $$$ for quality, neither one of these guns has EVER jammed, and they shoot straight... Pretty simple...

I have used the Mossberg 835 series for the last few years and have had good luck with it. It also chambers from 2.75" to 3.5" and has the ultimag choke system. I like the camo synthetic stock. Don't have to worry about scratching the wood. Good luck!!!

If I was in college and wanted to make sure I had the most gun for the money and wanted to be fairly sure I didn't get a spoiled hunting season because of a lemon, I'd get an 870 express 12ga.

I've had two budget O/Us and didn't really enjoy either. Tough trigger and broken firing pins on one and doubling on the other. They both cost more that $400.

There's a reason there's been almost 10 million 870s sold.

12 ga Autoloader