Goin on my first man drive this weekend in the low country of SC. Got a track of land 300+ acres that wasfarmed w/corn and peanuts but not hunted (had better land and stands at other piece of land). Well we have a couple guys goin out with a friend who is VERY skilled in driving deer. Question i have is would you recomend i take my Benelli Montefelito with 3inch 00 buck or take my 870 Mag shooting the same load. The benelli is a fast gun however i dont want to damage the guns finish (purchased the benelli as a trap gun). Will i have a better chance shooting the auto vs the pump?

pump so when one of those peanut fed brutes jumps out you do go boom boom click....not to say it couldnt happen with the pump

Shotgun?? Heck I use my muzzleloader on all our drives. If the guy doing the driving is a skilled as you say he should be able to set everything up where he drives deer TO YOU and doesn't drive deer PAST YOU. The key to driving and getting successful shot is setting up where deer will go and slow down after being driven. Otherwise your just slinging lead at a target that is moving at a high rate of speed and contrary to what qyite a few people might say, most hunters don't have the skill to consistentily shoot a running deer at any range.

Which of the shotguns patterns the OO load the best?? That is the one I would use.

same as above, get the best pattern!
-Jake

All things being equal I would take the 870. Most people can work a pump nearly as fast as an auto and you wont have to worry about dinging up that pretty benelli. 870s were built for all the abuse hunters put shotguns through. Either way good luck!

use the 870 i use a 12ga super mag w/ 3 1/2 shells when driving

i don't think it matters... whatever you are most proficient with.