I am a Benelli fan and within that price range would recommend a Super Nova. The 870 is a distant second in my mind, albeit still a good gun. Like the patterns, tough as nails, highly versatile. Has some recoil reducing properties and will take anything from 2 3/4-3 1/2" loads, plus you can buy a rifled barrel for slugs if you'd like. The one con vs. 870, can't customize as much. But I have never felt the need to for a folding stock on a waterfowl/upland game gun. Oh, you'll also notice the internals are better on the Super and it's extemely easy to strip. A BPS would be my #2.