I would like to get into bird hunting and the only shot gun I have adv able to me is my dads old over and under (its a shorter sized one) and its to small for me. I'd really like either a pump or auto load. On the 12 or 20 gauge matter feel free to say what you like aswell. (I will be using it to hunt migratory birds such as dove, geese, and ducks)

Reminder 700 bucks is the limit and possibly a bit over.

Just about any pump fits under 700. Or a used beretta or benelli. Hard to find now but wait a few months they will start popping up again

Remington 1187

Beretta AL390 is the only words you need to read!!!! Hands down the best & most reliable auto loader on the market at that price point....(any price point as far as my opinion is concerned). I hate that I didn't know you needed one. I just sold a 390 silver mallard in almost new condition for $450. I would have made a THF' r an even better deal!!
You can find used one for $500 or less and new will be in your budget as well

Beretta A300. I picked one up when Joel Etchens had them on sale for $500 a few months ago. Excellent steal on a high quality gun at that price. I had an Xtrema2 before this. It is def not an Xtrema level gun, but still a solid Beretta auto loader.

I just bought a browning silver hunter auto for $899. well worth the extra $$$

for a pump look at the BPS or a wingmaster. the older 1100's are good guns and you can find them for $500-$600. new ones are junk.

I picked up a used Franchi AL-48 for $400.00 Excellent shooter and swings extremely well.

I'll second the Beretta A300. I would go with a wood stock though, so that is about $50 over budget.

You have a few good options. If you are planning on hunting, and not spending a ton of time shooting clays, a Franchi Affinity would be a solid choice. Inertia drive and light weight are probably not the best idea for a long time at the shooting line, though.

Mossberg 930 is supposed to be a great gun for the money, and comes in around $550. Same story for the Weatherby SA-08 range, both the 20 and 12 have received solid reviews.

Beretta A300 can be found, and if Dicks sporting goods is still doing their promotion, you can get 10% off if you sign up for their credit card. They regularly have the A300 syn for $650, wood for $750, so you should be able to get to your target price.

A bit more puts you into the SX3 (around 800-850), and you can find used Beretta AL391s in that price range (750-1200, condition and furniture dependent), and 390s are plentiful in that sub $700 price range as well.

the only thing I did't like about the Franchi was the fact that you have to adjust the gas valve for different loads.

That was the ONLY thing. that's why I went with the silver hunter. same receiver/bolt design but a different gas operation. no need to adjust for different loads.

both are great guns

Thanks guys. But I am still wondering about the differences between 12 and 20 guge (butchered spelling) is that more of preference? I'd like to hear what you have to say

I had looked at them and liked them any one have any input on it?

Beretta A300! took my new one on its first hunt this weekend and love it!

Remington 1100 hands down. You can pick one up used for $400-$500 and spend the rest of your budget on ammo.

I really don't like buying used guns. I really don't roll that way. I was also looking at that A300 aswell.

It seems one of your best options at the moment, given your budget. If you don't know what to look for on a used gun then take someone with you who does, otherwise read up on it. You can have a gun that's just as capable as a brand new one and have money left for ammo to boot.

I understand that some folks won't buy a used gun...... If you do, there is a beretta al390 silver mallard on gun broker for under. $600 right now. You can look around and find a new one for under $700. Like the 1100 from Remington, it is one of the most reliable. Dependable, softest shooting shotguns made. There is a reason that they have made both of these guns for so many years. My only complaint on the 1100 is the o-rings seem to go out at the most inopportune time and your left with a pretty and expensive single shot.
As far as the 12 or 20 gauge.,,,,,,,,, it's a personal preference. I Like a 12 just because ...but even a .410 will kill ducks and geese if you get em in the dekes and if you shoot em in the lips like you're supposed to

Beretta 390 or A300

it only matters for range and recoil I like my 20 when the dove are flying low and wish I had my 12 if they are fling further out if you by pump you can get one of each.

If ducks are on the menu I would get a 12 gauge.

I own a Browning Maxus and four SX3's. They are great shotguns.

I also own two Affnity's, two SA-08's and a 930.

All of the shotguns in the second list are within your budget and are excellent firearms. I would purchase whichever feels the best. Beretta's are great too, I have owned a couple but they did not fit me.

You could probably get into a 930 for the least amount of money. If a 930 was all I had I would be very happy to have it.

Yeah definitely 12 gauge if you are thinking ducks, geese, etc. You can do anything with a 12 from super light loads to super heavy 3.5" loads.