Last updated September 2026 · By Nick Hall, 12-gauge hunter who has run every hunting shotgun on this list on waterfowl and upland
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How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
Best Hunting Shotguns at a Glance
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 |
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Lowest Price |
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Winchester SXP |
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Lowest Price |
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Beretta A400 Xtreme |
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Lowest Price |
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Remington 870 |
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Lowest Price |
The best shotguns are some of the most versatile firearms out there. You can use them for duck hunting one day, waterfowl the next and, in an emergency, home defense.
But some are better than others, for specific tasks and in general. So what are the best shotguns for hunting in 2023? Here are our top picks.
Table of Contents
1. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
- Price range: $1,629 to $2,399
- Barrel Length: 24-28 inch barrels
Best Overall
Pros
- Easy locking bolt prevents out battery
- Cryogenic barrel treatment improves pattern density
- Slim forend allows very natural pointing
Cons
- High retail price for inertia platform
- Light target loads occasionally fail cycle
- Noticeable kick with heaviest magnum shells
The Super Black Eagle 3 is a top-of-the-line semi-automatic shotgun that is known for its reliability, accuracy, and smooth recoil. It is a popular choice for waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, and sporting clays.
It is versatile enough to take whitetail deer hunting, hog hunting and more, with a 26 inch barrel and a 3 inch chamber for magnum loads.
The SBE3 features a number of innovative technologies that make it a superior shotgun.
The inertia-driven system is smooth and reliable, with a soft shooting feel.
And the Comfortech 3 recoil pad further helps to reduce felt recoil in that synthetic stock, making it easier to shoot. Optional gel pad inserts mean you can adjust the length of pull and the Optima Bore HP barrel provides superior accuracy and patterning. Even the trigger guard and loading port are well thought out and the fit and finish is nigh-on perfect.
The SBE3 is available in a variety of gauges and barrel lengths, making it a versatile shotgun that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is a good choice for serious shooters who are looking for a reliable and accurate shotgun.
Switch out the interchangeable choke tubes to go from light loads for duck hunting through to heavy turkey loads, deer hunting, elk hunting and more.
Does that make it the best shotgun on the market? We really think it does.
It is available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge and 28 gauge, and barrel lengths range from 24-30 inch barrels. And you can get guns with a pistol grip, other parts & accessories and a range of camo finishes to turn one of the best duck hunting guns into a specialist turkey gun. You can also get every finish, from plain black through to Mossy Oak camo finish. Traditional upland hunters often prefer classic side-by-side shotguns in 12 gauge.
2. Winchester SXP
- Price range: $266 to $371
- Barrel Length: 24-28 inch
Best Pump Action Shotgun
Pros
- Inertia assisted action cycles incredibly fast
- Chrome lined chamber resists heavy corrosion
- Back bored barrel improves pattern consistency
Cons
- Trigger pull feels somewhat heavy/gritty
- Polymer furniture feels thin and hollow
- Limited aftermarket support for custom parts
If you’re not bird hunting, so you don’t need the fast follow up shots, or you’re like John Wick with the action, then you can save a lot of money with a pump gun like the Winchester SXP.
So if you’re going after deer, hogs or you’re predator hunting, then pump actions are a perfectly valid life choice. They can be the best shotguns on the market and it’s only in recent times that the semi-auto shotguns have closed the gap in terms of reliability.
Starting from just $300, the SXP is an award winning shotgun that is a perennial favorite in tactical shotgun and field shotgun forms. You can also get it in all kinds of finishes, including Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo finish.
If you want to spend a little more and you are hunting birds that tend to move a little faster, you might want to upgrade to the semi auto Winchester SX4 shotgun.
The Winchester SX4 is a gas operated semi auto shotgun that takes the fight to the Benelli and Beretta, but we like to give you options round here.
We do like the gas system on the Winchester SX4 semi auto shotguns, though. So don’t discount the gas guns for upland bird hunting and recreational shooting, or a shotgun for hunting deer, even if you do prefer the best pump shotguns. At this price point, the Winchester is hard to ignore.
3. Beretta A400 Xtreme
- Price range: $1,794 to $2,149
- Barrel length: 26-30 inch
Best Duck Hunting Shotgun
Pros
- Kick-Off system slashes felt recoil
- Blink gas system cycles extremely fast
- Reliably handles lightest to heaviest loads
Cons
- Bulky forend can feel somewhat oversized
- Higher price point than most competitors
- Gas system requires more frequent cleaning
This semi auto shotgun is great for duck hunting, other waterfowl hunting and fast moving game birds.
Of course you can also use it for whitetail deer hunting and lots more. I mean, it’s yours…
A400 shotguns all feature Beretta’s innovative B-Link gas operated system, which is known for its soft shooting, and reliability.
They also feature Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system, which helps to reduce felt recoil. And they all come with Beretta’s Optimabore HP barrels, which are designed to provide superior accuracy and patterning.
Interchangeable choke tubes mean you can switch from birdshot to buckshot and slugs, too, if you want to go medium game hunting/big game hunting with your duck guns. If you’re planning on hunting big game at close range, read our best shotguns for bear defense guide with picks vetted by Alaskan guides.
Of course it’s another model line and personally we recommend the Xtreme Plus, which is lightweight, fast cycling and also comes with the recoil reducing Kick Off Plus system.
But check the full line here, and also don’t forget the likes of the Beretta A300 Ultima.
In fact you could easily make a case for putting the Beretta A300 Ultima on the list instead, but the inertia driven A400 is lighter and easier to clean. That matters with hunting shotguns in the soggy upland bird hunting world.
4. Franchi Affinity 3
- Price range: $847 to $1,079
- Barrel Length: 26-30 inch
Best Low Budget Semi Autos
Pros
- Benelli derived inertia system runs clean
- Front drive spring balances weight perfectly
- Unbeatable value for Italian made shotgun
Cons
- Recoil is snappy with heavy loads
- Oversized controls are somewhat stiff initially
- Limited shim adjustment for custom cast
The Franchi Affinity 3 is a semi-automatic shotgun that is known for its reliability and versatility. It is a good choice for a variety of shooting applications, including waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, and sporting clays.
The Affinity 3 features a number of innovative technologies that make it a reliable shotgun. The inertia-driven operating system is smooth and reliable, even in harsh conditions. The Invector-Plus choke tubes provide superior accuracy and patterning. And the Comfortech recoil pad helps to reduce felt recoil.
The Affinity 3 is available in a variety of gauges and barrel lengths, making it a versatile shotgun that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is a good choice for serious shooters who are looking for a reliable and accurate shotgun.
You can stick with the 3, which is good for 3 inch loads, or go for the Affinity 3.5 that is chambered for larger shells. Also you can buy shorter barrel home defense shotguns.
And if you want a little less recoil, you can buy 20 gauge shotguns and some bird hunters love them.
5. Browning Maxus II
- Price range: $1,361 to $1,920
- Barrel Length: 26-30 inch
Versatile Hunter
Pros
- Power Drive system reduces felt recoil
- Lightning Trigger offers remarkably crisp break
- Soft cheek piece improves shooter comfort
Cons
- Gas system requires more frequent cleaning
- Bulky forearm feels thick in hand
- Premium price for a hunting semi-auto
The Browning Maxus II features a number of innovative technologies that make it a reliable shotgun. The Kinematic Drive System makes this soft shooting gas gun smooth and reliable.
The Invector-Plus choke tubes provide superior accuracy and patterning. And the Comfort Balance Recoil pad helps to reduce felt recoil in this semi auto shotgun.
You can choose up to 3.5 inch loads, which is great for bird hunters’ magnum goose loads.
The Browning Maxus II is available in a variety of gauges and barrel lengths, making it a versatile shotgun that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is a good choice for hunting big and small game alike, and one of the best duck hunting semis out there.
6. Remington 870
- Price range: $400 to $1,200
America’s Best Selling Shotgun
Pros
- Dual action bars prevent binding issues
- Massive aftermarket support for custom builds
- Proven steel receiver offers legendary durability
Cons
- Finish requires regular oiling to protect
- Factory trigger pull is somewhat heavy
- Safety location is behind the trigger
The Remington Model 870 is a legend in these parts. It’s America’s best selling shotgun, and the Remington 870 Wingmaster and Fieldmaster are both great hunting shotguns.
Now the Remington 870 Wingmaster is the waterfowl hunting specialist and the Fieldmaster is for big game hunting and slightly smaller stuff out on the prairie. But to be honest an Elk probably doesn’t care which of these pump shotguns you shoot it with…
You get a wood stock and forend on the Remington 870 Wingmaster, with near perfect fit and finish, which is kind of nice in this largely synthetic company. Especially in a pump gun with this price tag.
It takes 3 4/4 and 3 inch shells, which gives you a choice, and you can switch the chokes to go for bird, buckshot or devastating slugs.
It’s one of the best duck hunting pump guns money can buy and the Remington 870 has set the standard for slide action 12 gauge shotguns for more than 60 years.
We like the wide variety of tactical shotguns with an 18 inch barrel for home defense shotguns too. And there are 20 gauge shotguns if you want them, a walnut stock, pistol grip, just about everything.
7. Browning Citori
- Price range: $1,740 to $2,300
Best Over & Under
Pros
- Legendary durability with steel box-lock
- Perfectly balanced for natural swinging follow
- Automatic ejectors clear spent hulls quickly
Cons
- Heavy weight for long mountain treks
- High initial investment for new shooters
- Action is stiff during initial break-in
The Browning Citori double barrel shotgun is a classic over/under shotgun that still might just be the best shotgun on the market for clay pigeon shooting.
Double guns still have their place in this world, even though it’s mostly for sporting purposes. And you do see the double barrel shotgun on farms for pest control, hunting small game, hunting dogs, predator hunting and scaring off intruders like the old days. If small game and pest control are your primary use cases, a sub-gauge is worth considering too, see our best .410 shotguns guide for the lineup.
They’re still very capable duck guns, too, although the new shotgun breeds do better with follow up shots.
8. Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl
- Price range: $861 to $1,064
- Barrel Length: 28 inch
Stone Cold Duck Killer
Pros
- Nickel boron coatings resist heavy corrosion
- Adjustable stock ensures a perfect fit
- Gas system runs cleaner for longer
Cons
- Noticeably heavy for long upland walks
- Forend feels bulky compared to inertia
- Loading port can have sharp edges
The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl is another contender that could easily make your personal cut, but lost out here.
Your hunting gear is a personal choice, after all, and this is a solid gas gun in Tactical or hunter form.
Lots of people opt for the Mossberg 940 and you can switch between 2 3/4 inch and 3 inch shells and you can opt for duck hunting or target loads.
The ported choke tube allows for interchangeable chokes so you duck guns can take out turkeys and grouse as well.
We like the Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl too, but this would be our choice.
9. CZ Bobwhite G2
- Price range: $680 to $749
- Barrel lengths: 26-28 inch
Best Side by Side Shotgun
Pros
- Classic double triggers allow instant choice
- English grip offers elegant quick pointing
- Rugged black chrome resists field rust
Cons
- Double triggers require practice for speed
- Straight grip transmits more felt recoil
- Action is stiff during initial use
Grandpa’s old side by side is all but a forgotten memory these days, unless you’re into sport shooting.
The side by side shotgun is still considered the best shotgun on the market for sport shooting and the break action is a simple requirement for some categories. You just can’t be turning up to the country club with a Turkish AR12 shotgun after all…
Side by side shotguns aren’t a normal part of life these days. Even farmers rarely walk round with them hung over an arm like the old days. And that’s partly why there are fewer of them and they’re much more expensive on the whole.
The CZ is an affordable side by side with double triggers, so you can choose chokes and different loads on two single shots, and an English style straight grip. The barrel is finished in black chrome, which is hardier than a blued finish, and this is a super reliable shotgun that is also incredibly accurate.
If you like them, these are some of the best side by side shotguns on the market.
Other side by side shotgun offerings include the Stoeger Coach Gun and Charles Daly. So there are plenty of side by side shotgun choices out there.
10. Weatherby Element Synthetic
- Price range: $600 to $934
- Barrel Length: 26-28 inch
Pros
- Inertia system stays remarkably clean throughout
- Griptonite inserts provide excellent wet grip
- Exceptional value for a reliable semi-auto
Cons
- Recoil is sharper than gas-operated models
- Length of pull is not easily adjusted
- Action can be stiff during break-in
The Weatherby is just an option. Is it the best waterfowl shotgun? probably not? The best duck hunter? Maybe not again, but it’s a great all-rounder at the right price that some people also use for homes defense.
Where to buy: See our guide to the best online gun stores for the lowest prices and trusted retailers.
Best Red Dot Sights For a Shotgun
You might like ghost ring sights, or a fiber optic front sight, but a red dot sight can change your world. A red dot sight can help you in the early morning and evening light, by giving you a clearer sight picture.
The Aimpoint T2 is a slightly chunky addition to your set-up, but it’s awesome. We also like the Holosun 507C, which you can put on your AR-15 and pistols too.
Have a look at the best red dot sights here:
Price ranges above are the live spread our own cards were showing on 6 September 2026, low to high across the configurations each retailer stocks. Shotgun prices move with the season, so treat them as a guide and let the card next to each rifle tell you today’s number.
Which of These for What You Hunt
Ranking shotguns is the easy part. The harder question, and the one most people are actually asking, is which of them to carry for the bird in front of you. Chamber length, action and weight matter far more than the order of a list, so here is the same ten sorted by the job.
Waterfowl: duck and goose
You want a 3.5 inch chamber, a gas or inertia semi-auto that keeps cycling when it is wet and cold, and a finish that does not mind salt marsh. The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, the Beretta A400 Xtreme and the Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing all list 3.5 inch chambers and all three are built for exactly this. The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl says it on the receiver and costs roughly half what the Benelli does.
If you only ever shoot ducks over decoys, the Mossberg is the value pick on this list by a long way. The Benelli earns its money on the days when you are cold, wet, and asking the gun to work anyway.
Turkey
Turkey guns are a different animal. You are taking one careful shot from a sitting position at a bird with a small vital area, so you want a tight choke, a short barrel you can swing in cover, and sights or an optic rather than a bead. Franchi build the Affinity 3 in a dedicated Turkey configuration with a 24 inch barrel and Bottomland camo, which is the one to look for. The Mossberg 940 Pro doubles up here too.
Upland: pheasant, quail, grouse
Walked-up birds are about carrying weight and how fast the gun comes to the shoulder, not capacity. Two shots are plenty. This is break action country, which is why the Browning Citori over-under and the CZ Bobwhite G2 side-by-side are on the list at all. The Citori is the one you keep for thirty years. The Bobwhite is the one that gets you into a proper double gun for the price of a mid-range semi-auto.
Weatherby also build the Element in an Upland configuration if you would rather have a light semi-auto than a break action.
Deer and slug work
Where rifles are not permitted, a slug gun does the job, and a pump is the sensible choice because you are shooting few rounds in bad weather. The Remington 870 has a rifled slug barrel option and more aftermarket support than anything else here, which is why it has stayed in the catalogue for seventy years. The Winchester SXP is the budget alternative and the fastest pump action on the list.
If you hunt a bit of everything
Buy one 3 inch semi-auto and change the choke. The Franchi Affinity 3 and the Weatherby Element both sit under a thousand dollars, weigh little enough to carry all day, and will shoot clays, doves, ducks and turkey without complaint. Neither is the best gun here for any single one of those jobs, and that is precisely the point of a general purpose gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for a Mossberg specifically? Our best Mossberg shotguns roundup covers the 500 Field, 835 Ulti-Mag, and other hunting-focused picks across the lineup.
What is the best all-around 12-gauge shotgun for a beginner?
The Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 are the top recommendations. These pump-action workhorses are affordable, nearly indestructible, and have massive aftermarket support. Their simple manual of arms allows a new hunter to focus on safety and fundamentals rather than complex gas systems or cycling issues.
Should I choose a gas-operated or inertia-driven semi-auto?
Gas-operated shotguns like the Beretta A400 offer the softest recoil, making them ideal for high-volume shooting. Inertia-driven guns like the Benelli SBE3 run much cleaner and are lighter to carry, but they kick harder. Choose gas for comfort and inertia for reliability in harsh, freezing conditions.
Can I use a 12-gauge shotgun for small upland birds?
Yes, the 12-gauge is highly versatile for upland hunting. By using lighter target loads and an Improved Cylinder or Skeet choke, you can hunt quail or woodcock without damaging the meat. Its wide shot string provides a more forgiving pattern for fast-flushing birds in thick cover.
Is a 3.5-inch chamber necessary for duck and goose hunting?
While 3-inch shells are sufficient for most waterfowl, a 3.5-inch chamber provides extra room for larger steel shot payloads. This is particularly useful for late-season geese at longer distances. Many modern hunters prefer the 3.5-inch option simply to ensure they can shoot any available ammunition.
How often should I clean my 12-gauge hunting shotgun?
Gas-operated shotguns should be cleaned every 250 to 500 rounds to prevent carbon buildup from slowing the action. Inertia and pump-action shotguns can go much longer, but you should always wipe down the exterior and bore after any hunt involving rain, snow, or salt spray.
What is the effective range of a 12-gauge for turkey hunting?
With modern Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) and an Extra-Full turkey choke, many 12-gauge shotguns are effective out to 50 or 60 yards. However, for traditional lead or bismuth loads, 40 yards remains the standard ethical limit to ensure enough pellet density for a clean kill.
Why would I choose an over-under shotgun for hunting?
Over-under shotguns like the Browning Citori offer two different chokes in one gun, allowing you to have a tight shot for far birds and an open shot for close ones. They are also shorter than semi-autos with the same barrel length, making them much easier to swing.
Does barrel length affect the power of a 12-gauge shotgun?
Barrel length has a negligible impact on the velocity or "power" of the shot. A 28-inch barrel is standard because it provides a better "swing" and a longer sight plane, which helps with lead and accuracy. Shorter 24-inch barrels are preferred for maneuverability in turkey blinds.
For a deep-dive review of the gas-operated value champion in this segment, see our Beretta A300 Ultima review with full 500-round test data.
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