Best all around, my vote would go with the basic 870 Express.I have an 870 Upland Special that doesn't accept any of the other 870 barrels. I have a 870 Express slug gun where I could interchange barrels but I have the monte carlo. A basic express could handle anything, I just don't have a plain/basic 870 Express.

Back in the day before I was born, I am sure the Belgium Brownings would be the guns of choice for this thread. The A5 was a popular gun, but not my favorite because of their consistent jamming problem. My dad said they don't jam as easily in warm weather but I never got to see it happen, when I had my chance to see it last year after the first shot my dad took with his 20 ga. A5 something happened with the trigger and now has to send it out to get fixed because it can't be pulled back. Back in the day they allowed lead on ducks, today its all steel and the belgium special steel doesn't like steel shot too well. The only other belgium browning I have shot was a B2000 and I love those!!!!! They are as reliable as the 870 in operation, the only thing is the special steel doesn't mix with steel shot and today's slug barrels are better than ever.

The 1100s are nice too, but last fall was the season of the "Failure of the 1100s". They were giving nothing but problems, not just mine but other guys that use them too had problems. I don't know what it was about them this year.

So here is my thoughts on the BEST SHOTGUN EVER MADE for different categories:
All 'round-Remington 870 Express
Deer-Remington 870 SPS Super Slug/Express Slug Gun (same thing but different grades)
Bird-TIE: Remington 870/Browning B2000
Turkey-Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag (never used an 870 for turkeys so I can't say)