I would reccomend the following:
12 ga
3 in Mag
Interchageable choke system
Synthetic Stock

Here is why....You could hunt just about anything with that setup from squirell to deer. And all the birds in between. If you want to hunt turkey, get yourself a turkey choke too. I just bought a mossberg 500 12 ga interchangeable choke, 3 in mag, ported 26 in barell shadow grass finish, $299.00. If you get the 3 in, you can shoot smaller like 2 1/2 and interchangeable chokes, really broadens your spectrum on what to hunt. Hope this helps. Most people like the remingtons though, I have an 11-87 cant complain about that either, but if you are looking for cheap, dont rule out the mossberg, it may not be fancy, but remember...you pay for fancy.