If you’re in the market for a new hunting shotgun to hit the woods and water with this fall, you’re in luck — you’ve never had more options to pick from. These new models consist mostly of line expansions and revamps of standard lines, but there’s something for everyone in the 2023 crop of new hunting shotguns. We’ll start with the semi-autos, then cover a couple of over-and-unders and end with an everything-old-is-new-again pump-action classic.
Benelli Montefeltro
Benelli’s stalwart Montefeltro is a staple in the upland fields, and for 2023, the company has upgraded it with a newer Inertia-Driven System bolt for better performance and reliability. The bolt hand and two-piece shell latch have gotten ergonomic upgrades as well. Features include a recoil pad, shim kit for fit adjustments, beautiful walnut stock, and three included choke tubes. You can get the Montefeltro in 12- or 20-gauge in several barrel lengths; there are even a couple of compact models available. MSRP is $1,499
Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus 20
Beretta’s extensive A400 line has proven extremely popular, and this year’s addition to the lineup is a 20-gauge version of the Xtreme Plus. This is a 20-gauge semi-auto gas gun designed for hunting fast-flying birds, and it will be right at home in the waterfowl marshes. Features include a Kick-Off stock for recoil management, 28-inch Steelium barrel, fiber-optic front sight, five choke tubes, extended forcing cones for better patterns, reversible crossbolt safety, rubberized grips, and your choice of several camo patterns (Max 7 shown here). MSRP runs right around $2,000.
CZ 712 G3
CZ’s new 712 G3 is a gas-operated semi-auto with a 3-inch chamber. It comes with two pistons, which allows you to cycle light or heavy loads — making this a do-it-all gun that will work well for clay targets or for waterfowl hunting. The matte black barrel is chrome-lined for corrosion resistance and topped with a 7mm flat vent rib, the stock is Turkish walnut, and the overall weight is 7.3 pounds. Right now, CZ is offering the 712 G3 only in 12-gauge, with either a 26- or 28-inch barrel. Five choke tubes are included, and this is one of the more affordable guns on this list, coming in at an MSRP of $579.
Mossberg SA20 and 28 Turkey
Sub-gauge shotguns are skyrocketing in popularity, and Mossberg jumped on board this year with the SA28 Turkey. With a camo finish, pistol grip, fiber-optic ghost ring sights, a Picatinny rail for adding optics, an extended turkey choke tube, a 22-inch barrel and a smooth-cycling semi-auto action, this gun is perfectly set up for turkey hunting. It’s lightweight —just 6 pounds — and low-recoiling, chambering 2 ¾-inch 28-gauge shells (a 20-gauge version of this gun is also available). At an MSRP of $902, this is a smart option for anyone looking for a capable, dedicated turkey gun in a smaller gauge.
Stevens 560 Field
Stevens shotguns are made by Savage, and this year’s new gas-operated 560 Field comes in 3-inch 12-gauge in a standard or compact model. Features include Turkish walnut, fiber-optic front sight, raised ventilated rib, lightweight aluminum alloy receiver, chrome-lined barrel, oversized controls, three choke tubes, 28-inch or 26-inch carbon steel barrel, and a moderate weight of 6.6 pounds. This is built as a solid, reliable, no-frills gun with a bargain price point to match: MSRP is just $499.
Stoeger M3500
Stoeger’s model 3500 is not new, but for 2023, the company has revamped and modernized its 3000, 3020 and 3500 lines to be slimmer and more ergonomic. The receiver and forearm have been trimmed down for better handling, while the controls have been oversized for easy manipulation. The inertia-driven M3500 semi-auto chambers 3½-inch shells and comes with a recoil reducer, four choke tubes and a shim kit that allows you adjust the fit. There are a number of 12-gauge models available in the M3500 line, with 24-, 26- or 28-inch barrels. The black synthetic version as shown here retails for $669.
Tristar Arms Viper G2 Pro
Tristar’s gas-operated Viper G2 Pro comes in every gauge from .410 to 12 depending on the model. Features include Cerakoted receiver, Turkish walnut stock, rubber recoil pad, fiber-optic sight, shim kit for adjusting the fit, a five-year warranty, enlarged mag well, large safety, three choke tubes, chrome-lined chamber and barrel, manual easy load magazine cut-off, and more. The Pro Bronze version shown here retails for $990 in 12- and 20-gauge (3-inch chamber) and $1,050 in 16-gauge, 28-gauge and .410 bore.
Browning Citori Composite
Browning’s Citori is nothing short of legendary in the everyman’s-over-and-under world, and this year the company is offering the gun with a composite stock and forearm with rubber overmolding for an enhanced grip and better ergonomics. It has all the features the Citori is known for, including an adjustable comb, recoil pad, floating rib, full-width tapered locking bolt and monoblock recess for strength, strong hinge pin, inertia trigger, hammer ejectors, chromed chambers, back-bored technology, lengthened forcing cone and more. This isn’t your grandpa’s classic wood over-and-under, but it’s tough and weather-resistant. The Citori Composite is only available in 3-inch 12-gauge with 26-, 28- or 30-inch barrels. MSRP is $2,200.
Syren Julia Field
The only gun on this list specifically made for and marketed to women, the Syren Julia Field is a new-for-2023 model in the popular Julia line. It’s an undeniably beautiful over-and-under, with feminine floral scrolling on a color-case-hardened receiver and a deluxe-grade Turkish walnut stock. Following the hot sub-gauge trend, you can get the Julia Field in 20-gauge with a 3-inch chamber or 28-gauge with a 2 ¾-inch chamber, both with 28-inch barrels. Features include a chrome-lined bore, single selective trigger, five choke tubes, silver front bead, recoil pad, hard case and much more. MSRP is $6,250 for either gauge, and a left-handed stock option is available for a small additional fee.
Remington 870 Fieldmaster Synthetic
Remington Arms is back in business under its new ownership, and the company is concentrating on some of its core models. The 870 Fieldmaster Synthetic (3-inch chamber) is a workhorse of a pump shotgun, suitable for just about anything you’d like to hunt or shoot. Features include a receiver milled from a solid billet of steel, adjustable face comb insert (12-gauge only), drilled and tapped receiver, improved twin action bars for strength and smooth cycling, and a new Fieldmaster finish on the barrel and receiver that protects against rust. Three choke tubes are included. You can get it in 12-gauge with a 26- or 28-inch barrel or in 20-gauge with a 21-inch barrel and a slightly shorter length of pull (13 vs. 14 inches), and it should cost you right around $500 or less on dealer shelves.
