If you're price range is $500, you should definitely look at the Remington 870 SPS or the Ithaca Turkeyslayer. Both are at or under 500, and you can't get a much better hunting shotgun than an Ithaca.

However, as most have said, you can easily spend $250-350 and have an excellent, durable gun...

Your choice...you can check out Ithaca's at www.ithacagun.com