Look into a Remington 870. Been a proven shotgun for many years. You can find them for sale online at gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com.

the benelli nova pump msrp $409....supernova msrp $500..they work flawlessly

I would go with the remmington 870, they are great guns, your going to need different choke tube for different species, but itll work for just about any bird hunt.

I went to a Remington 870 with choke tubes. There is nothing I can't shoot with it and it won't break the bank. There are finer shotguns that cost thousands but they will NOT bring home more pheasants, ducks, geese, quail, or trap trophies. It is up to the shooter to take care of that.

The old Ithaca Featherlight Model 37, if you can find one used and in good serviceable condition. The new Model 37 can be pretty costly. I understand the company is under new management. Nobody has mentioned shotgun gauge thus far, but since you included waterfowl in your question, it has to be 12 gauge.

You will be happy with both a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500, but I think the Remington would be your best bet in the long run.

I would say a Remington model 11-87 Special Purpose Magnum Listed price is right at $791.00. Good Hunting

If you're really on a budget, H&R Topper Deluxe Classic. They make cheaper ones, but I don't like to wingshoot without a ventilated rib if I don't have to. Don't knock it, it will kill birds as well as any shotgun would in a given shooters hands. You're just stuck with single shot. If that's unacceptable, they (NEF) make the Pardner Pump. Don't knock this one either, it's a solidly made, reliable shotgun. Will serve you as well as any.

Nothing beats a quality sixteen built a 20 gauge frame this limits you to a BPS or Model 12 in pump guns. Don't fall into the magnum trap and back boring BS. 20's were designed for 7/8 ounce loads 16's 1 ounce and 12 for 1 1/4 ounce. It is all about pattern not increaseing shot from a 20 gauge to a 16 gauge load and trying to cram it out a 20 gauge barrel. This usually results in blown patterns and less clean kills.
It is about pattern and pattern only not trying to put 20 pounds of shot out a 10 pound hole.

Remington 870

remington 870, benelli nova, mossberg's pump or browning's pump. A good semi auto can break the bank.

A couple of years ago I wanted to make the opening day of waterfowl season but all the pump shotguns were at my summer house and all that I had were my side by side upland guns at my winter home. There were some Mossberg 930 12 ga.shotguns on sale for $299(I think the MSRP is $429) so I bought one with a walnut stock and matte blue finish and ported barrel. I did not even get a chance to fire it before opening day. The wind was strong and I got a late start. I was trudging across the swamp toward the pond I normally hunt with my decoy bag on my back and a single canada goose flew by bucking the strong wind. First shot ever out of the gun and down came the goose. It now is the gun I shoot the most for waterfowl, for the money you can't go wrong. It seems to cycle all loads from 2&3/4 trap loads to 3" high velocity steel without any problems.Their pump guns would also be a good choice.