September 1 is one of those dates—anchoring a lot of activities across the country.
This year it falls on Labor Day, which means a long holiday weekend. In some states, school won’t begin until the second or later.
But for our purposes, September 1 marks the official start of hunting season—especially dove season. There are 41 states that offer dove hunting. Here is Arizona—especially in Yuma—it’s practically a state holiday.
Luckily, that’s the case this year.
Most dove hunters have a favorite shotgun or two for hunting. I have mine. It’s a Beretta over/under with 30-inch barrels. It’s my first shotgun, and thus my favorite.
Maybe you don’t have a shotgun for dove hunting—or you’re looking to make a change. You might even be looking for a valid excuse to buy yet another shotgun. If so, we’re here to help.
I reached out to several shotgun makers and asked: from all the models they offer, which over/under, semi-auto, and pump-action shotguns would they recommend for heading afield this Labor Day? Naturally, we’ve thrown a side-by-side into the mix—because, well, why not?
Here are their product recommendations.
Benelli
Benelli’s 828U Steel Field is offered in both 12- and 20-gauge with 2 ¾- and 3-inch chambers. Available barrel lengths for 12-gauge models are 26, 28, and 30 inches while the 20-gauge comes with 26- or 28-inch barrels. Each model includes extended chrome Crio® choke tubes in C, IC, M, IM, and F, a fiber-optic front sight with red insert, stepped-rib barrel, and a custom-fitted hard case. MSRP: $3,799.
Photo: Courtesy of Benelli
The Ethos Upland Advanced Impact (A.I.) is available in both 12- and 20-gauge 3-inch chambers with a 28” barrel. It’s adjustable for drop and cast for a custom fit, and features Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil-reduction system for comfortable, all-day shooting. Also included are extended nickel A.I. choke tubes in C, IC, M, IM, and F plus an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release for no-fumble operation. MSRP: $3,099.
Photo: Courtesy of Benelli
The Nova 3 Hunting pump-action 12-gauge is chambered for 2 3/4- and 3-inch shells and is offered in 26- or 28-inch barrel lengths. Each configuration is offered in black synthetic, Realtree® Max-7™ camo, and Mossy Oak® Bottomland™ camo. Standard features include IC, M, and F Mobil choke tubes, vented rib with red bar sight, and a drilled and tapped receiver for optic installation. MSRP: $529 - $629 depending on model.
Photo: Courtesy of Benelli
CZ-USA
CZ's Bobwhite G2 is a side-by-side shotgun with double triggers and an English-style straight stock. It’s available in 12-, 20- or 28-gauge with a southpaw version in 12- or 20-gauge. All with 28” barrels threaded for choke tubes. The Bobwhite G2 comes with five flush chokes – from Cylinder to Full. MSRP: $799.
Photo: Courtesy of CZ-USA
The Redhead Premier is a classic over/under available in 12-, 20- or 16-gauge, all with 28” barrels threaded for choke tubes (5 included). The shotgun features a single selectable trigger and comes in a lockable hard case. MSRP: $1,199.
Photo: Courtesy of CZ-USA
The CZ 712 G3 semi-auto shotgun features oversized controls and an enhanced soft recoiling gas system with quick change dual pistons for light or heavy loads. Their 12-gauge model comes with either 28” or 26” chrome-lined barrels barrels, threaded for the CZ Active-Choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F). The same goes for the 20-gauge version, the 720 G3. A synthetic camo version is also available; the 712/720 G3 Synthetic Camo Terra with 28” barrels. A lockable hard case is included. MSRP: $649, $749 for Camo Terra.
Photo: Courtesy of CZ-USA
Franchi
The Instinct Sideplate SPLX features AA-grade walnut for the luxurious satin finished Prince of Wales stock and Schnabel forend, giving it that classic, refined look. Available in either 12- or 20-gauge, the Instinct Sideplate SPLX has vented 28” blued barrels that are chambered for 2 3/4- and 3-inch shotshell, and outfitted with extended choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, and F). A custom-fitted hard case is included. MSRP: $2,849.
Photo: Courtesy of Franchi
Franchi’s Affinity 3 is a fast shooting inertia driven 12-gauge semi-auto available in 28- and 26-inch barrel lengths chambered in 12-gauge 2 3/4- and 3-inch with three finish options: black synthetic/matte blue, Realtree® Max-7™, and Mossy Oak® Bottomland™. Hunters with a lean toward the traditional can opt for the new Affinity 3 with A-grade Turkish Walnut furniture and a 28-inch barrel. The TSA Recoil Pad reduces felt recoil up to 50% and is designed not to snag as you shoulder the gun. Comes with flush fit chokes in IC, M, F and wrench. MSRP: $1,079 - $1,379 depending on model.
Photo: Courtesy of Franchi
Mossberg
Mossberg's Gold Reserve over/under shotguns are right at home in the field or on the clays range. Available in 12-, 20-, 16-gauge or .410 bore, and accented with Grade-A Satin Black Walnut Stocks, the Gold Reserve features 30” (26” in .410) 3” chambered Chrome-lined polished blued barrels that come with a set of 5 extended chokes (S, IC, M, IM and F). In addition to the models with polished silver receivers with decorative accents, Mossberg offers a Gold Reserve Black model in 12- or 20-gauge that features a polished black receiver with scroll and inlay. And there is also a Super Sport model those spending more time hunting clays than dove, but equally suited for both. MSRP: $1,135, $1,408 Super Sport.
Photo: Courtesy of Mossberg
The 940 Pro Field runs fast and reliably thanks to a durable gas-operating system and corrosion-resistant internal parts that were designed to take the pounding of 3-Gun competition. The 28” matte blue vent rib barrel is chambered to take 3” shotshells and sports a HIVIZ CompSight fiber optic sight up front. The barrel features Mossberg’s AccuChoke system and comes with 3 chokes (IC, M and F). The 940 stands out thanks to the oversized controls: beveled loading port with redesigned elevator, shell catch, charging handle, and bolt release button. For those that prefer the more traditional look of wood, a dark walnut version is available. MSRP: $987 Synthetic, $1,127 Walnut.
Photo: Courtesy of Mossberg
As the name implies, the Mossberg’s 500 Retrograde Field Pump-Action 12 Gauge, with its traditional walnut stock and corncob forend, has a definite throwback look about it. The 3” chambered 28” vent rib blued barrel is cut for the AccuChoke and comes with 3 flush fit chokes (IC, M and F). The dual extractors, steel-to-steel lockup, twin action bars, and anti-jam elevator means you’ll give out before it does, even in the busiest dove fields. MSRP: $651.
Photo: Courtesy of Mossberg
Spandau Arms
The Spandau Premier Field comes in 4 gauges, 12, 20, 28 and 410, with each gauge available in either a 28” or 26” barrel length. The Premier Field features include: box lock action, mechanical triggers, selectable firing order, long forcing cones, full-length vent rib and non-auto resetting safeties. Each comes with a set of 3 flush fit chokes (C, M and F) using the Benelli/Mobil system. MSRP: $1,350.
Photo: Courtesy of SDS Arms
Spandau's S2 Field semi-auto is available in either 12- or 20-gauge versions with a 28” vent rib barrel that is chambered for 2 3/4 and 3” shells. The S2 runs on an inertia operating system and features an open cut loading gate, enhanced lifter and oversized charging handle. The S2 uses the Benelli/Mobil choke tube system and comes with C, M, Ext. Ported Mod, and F chokes. Additionally, the S2 is compatible with Benelli M2 accessories. MSRP: $445.
Photo: Courtesy of SDS Arms
Stoeger Industries
Stoeger’s M3000 Signature semi-auto 12-gauge is chambered for 2 3/4” and 3” shells. The nickel receiver and polished blued 28” barrel with stepped rib and fiber-optic front bead sight are set off by the satin walnut stock and slim forend with expansive finger grooves. The shotgun features an enlarged, knurled bolt handle and bolt release, and comes with 3 choke tubes (IC, M, and XFT). MSRP: $849.
Photo: Courtesy of Stoeger Industries
No matter which model you decide to go with, and there are certainly more makes and models out there, you’ll really to check it out at your local gun shop to see how it feels in the hands and when you mount it. Ergonomics have a huge impact on how a shotgun performs and how you perform with it.
One side note. For semi-auto and pump-action models be very sure of the model’s capacity. Federal regulations limit you to just 3 total rounds in the gun, so you may need to add a simple wooden dow to the tube to limit capacity. Ask me how I know.
— Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
