My friend is looking to buy a new auto shotgun. He told me he has $600 to spend. He'll be using it for trap and pheasant hunting here in Iowa. The only requirements he told me was he wants wood stocks and it has to shoot 3" shells. I use only 870s so i dont have much knowledge when it comes to good autos, so anyones ideas would be great.

The Stoeger 2000 would be a good choice. They have Benelli's Inertia Driven action in them and they are a lot cheaper. I have heard a lot of good things about them, too. I have never personally had one, but my uncle sells them through his gun shop and he said that everyone that has bought one from him is really happy with them.

Franchi I-12 has the same inertia system.. At about the 600.00 Range..

Remington 11-87 would be my first choice in that price range, and the Stoeger M-2000 would be my second choice. The Stoegers feel fairly flimsy to me. A few of my buddies have them and they are 100% reliable.

Yup, I'd say the Stoeger 2000 fits the bill nicely and leaves money to spare.

Tom