Shotguns?

[PaiN]

I started looking into 12g shotguns recently, I don't have one in my collection and they are affordable for the most part, with plenty of ammo available at Wally-world
My price range is ~$300(250-350), I guess my intended use would be "ultility"...range shooting, maybe clays, maybe birds and HD. I don't want a pistol grip or super long barrels and good sights are a must.
I'd like some info on rifled vs. non-rifled barrels, use of chokes(or not), semi vs. pump, Magnum chambers and whatever else you shotguners might impart on me thanks

 

[MassMark]

Mossberg 500 field: $229.00 Mossberg 500 HD barrel $90.00....

 

[Kid Presentable]

i have the mossberg 835 pump turkey gun...it's a great shotgun (even used it for trap and got pretty good results), non rifled barrel but they do make rifled chokes so you can use a slug. Remington does, however, make a rifled slug you can use in smooth bore barrels. recoil is very noticeable compared to my girlfriend's old remington semi-auto.

 

[dixidawg]

Deja Vu all over again

 

[mac1911]

Hunting season sales should be starting soon @ dicks ect ect
Mossberg pump combo slug barrel/ 28" barrel
Reminton 870 combo slug/28"
for the 300.00 budget the 2 most all around guns

 

[Skeet732]

Standard shotgun IMHO is 12 ga. no sights, maybe a dot or two on the barrel, pump or semiauto, semi is preferred for clays, standard wood or synthetic stock. For a pump I like Ithica (old), Remington 870, for a semi I prefer beretta or beneli. Pistol grips are cool until you experience the recoil and break your wrist, then they are removed. Dicks will be having a sale in a month or so for the fall duck season

 

[Charger22]

I run a Benelli Nova, it is a pump and has a 24 inch barrel(cost $350). This is a little shortter than recomended for clays but the overall length is just as long as my buddies 28" Mossberg pump and it works for us and our little do all sit down clay thrower. This gun can handle the 3 1/2" magnum(don't know if I can). I am very happy with this shotguns accuracy with slugs. You should shoot rifled slugs in smooth bore. Was just hoping this would be a great varied types of hunting from waterfowl, turkey, cayote and deer. Still have yet to get my hunting licence but will be looking for a course soon. I had a combo Mossberg my wife had won a few years ago at KTP. Was an excellent gun just got the bug for something different and traded it. Chokes do help with the pattern a shotgun throws and you can get a lot of variation with them just need to practice to find the one you need(lots more options than what just comes with the gun). Good luck.