I am bound and determined to do alot of water fowl hunting this year. I have done some, but not alot. I need to buy a shotgun between now and then. Some will be in saltwater if that matters. What do you suggest? I'd like to stay around $750. Honestly looking for best bang for buck, even if that is more.

I went with the Beretta A350 for all my use. I love that shotgun. Dove and duck.

Can a guy go wrong with a M2?

I bought a waterfowl only shotgun myself.

Beretta A300 outlander in mossy oak shadow grass

Love the gun. It has a shim system to give it a better fit. I have no issues whatsoever knocking ducks out of the sky. Only has a 3” chamber but I’m a duck guy not a goose hunter so it’s fine for me. Soaks up recoil like it’s nothing.

IIRC it was $750 at BPS

Beretta A300
Franchi Affinity
Used Beretta AL391 Extrema

There is an add for a Benelli SBE II in the Max 4 Camo for just a bit more than your budget says... but great deal.

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7544580/benelli-sbe2-4-sale#Post7544580

Browning BPS makes a lot of friends in a duck blind since the empties get kicked down instead of on the person to the right.

I'll second the Benelli M2. Recently picked up a like new one in Max 5 camo for $900 and couldn't be happier with it. Also can't go wrong with the tried and true Super Black Eagle. Both are known for their reliability in extreme conditions

A300

Get a Beretta or a Benelli that's in your price range, and call it good. I've been waterfowl hunting for my entire adult life, and seen a lot of different shotguns. On average, those two brands are the most reliable under the widest variety of circumstances. I am a Beretta fan, since the felt recoil is a bit lighter and they seem to do better with light target loads (sporting clays and dove hunting.) However, I will say that Benelli has an ever-so-slight slight advantage in reliability under the absolute worst conditions. You will pay a bit in felt recoil though.

Also, DO NOT think you have to have a 3.5" gun. Find a 3" load that patterns well in your gun, and do work. You're better off spending the extra money on getting some formal training and setting your gun up for you by a professional.

Gave up duck hunting when they made us go to steel.

Not when they outlawed punt guns?

Don't overlook a Browning Maxus or Gold, either. I sold a Gold on here a few years ago that I wish I had back.

Currently shooting a Cynergy. I don't miss the 3rd shot at all but working an O/U in a pit blind can be a bit awkward.

Benellis are awesome but I'd find one to shoot before you buy it. Their POI is just way off for me. I have one in the safe and I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it, and that's if I was standing inside the barn. They just don't fit me at all.

Find you an old Auto-5 Stalker, you'll never need another one(you, kids, grandkids and their kids), ever!

A300 is outstanding!