Best All-Purpose Semi-Auto Shotguns of 2025

If you’re looking for one shotgun that can do a little bit of everything, this list is for you. Whether you’re shooting clays, chasing birds, or bouncing between both, these semi-auto shotguns are built to handle a wide range of roles without feeling out of place.

All-purpose semi-auto shotguns need to be versatile, reliable, and comfortable across a wide range of uses. That’s not always easy to pull off, which is why this category matters so much.

These rankings didn’t come together overnight. They’re built from years of shooting, hunting, and range time with dozens of semi-auto shotguns—every firearm on this list is one we’ve personally run through its paces. The goal here isn’t to crown a specialist, but to highlight the semi-autos that make the most sense when you want one shotgun to do it all.

We’ve broken this list into three categories:

• Best on a Budget
• Best Value
• Best Overall

Let’s jump in.

If you have experience with any of these shotguns, please share your thoughts in the TFL COMMUNITY!

BEST ON A BUDGET

If you’re trying to stay under $1,000 but still want a capable semi-auto shotgun, there are a few options that stand out.

🏆 Winner: Retay Gordion — $779

The Retay Gordion earns the top spot for best budget all-purpose semi-auto shotgun. We’ve spent a lot of time with this gun and consistently enjoyed it, especially in the field. At $779, it delivers solid reliability, good shooting characteristics, and versatility, making it easy to recommend.

🥈 Runner-Up: Weatherby Element — $749

The Weatherby Element continues to be a strong option at this price point. It’s simple, affordable, and reliable, with rubber overmolding you don’t often see on budget-friendly shotguns. It shot well for us and proved to be a solid entry-level all-purpose option.

🥈 Runner-Up: CZ 712 G3 — $749

The CZ 712 G3 offers similar value in the same price range. Recoil was manageable, reliability was good, and overall, it was an enjoyable shotgun to shoot. While triggers and ergonomics aren’t perfect at this price point, it performs well where it matters.

BEST VALUE

This category is where price and performance really start to balance out. These shotguns cost a bit more, but the improvement in quality and shoot-ability is noticeable.

🏆 Winner: Mossberg 940 Pro — $987

The Mossberg 940 Pro takes the top spot for best value all-purpose semi-auto shotgun. It offers light recoil, strong reliability, and excellent ergonomics at a price point that’s attainable for most shooters. While it doesn’t top specialized categories, as a true do-it-all semi-auto, it hits the sweet spot.

🥈 Runner-Up: Franchi Affinity 3 — $949

The Franchi Affinity 3 continues to punch above its price point. It’s a dependable inertia-driven shotgun that works well across multiple disciplines, making it a strong all-purpose choice.

🥈 Runner-Up: Beretta A300 Ultima — $879

The Beretta A300 Ultima offers light recoil, smooth shooting, and good controls at a very approachable price. It’s one of the most affordable options in this category and a great crossover shotgun.

🥈 Runner-Up: Winchester SX4 — $1,019

The Winchester SX4 has earned its reputation as a workhorse. It cycles light target loads and heavier hunting loads reliably and performs well across the board.

🥈 Runner-Up: Retay ACE — $1,049

The Retay ACE was a standout for us. With excellent ergonomics, a drop-out trigger, and smooth cycling, it shoots more like a shotgun that costs significantly more.

BEST OVERALL

If money isn’t the primary concern and you want the best all-purpose semi-auto we’ve reviewed, there’s one clear standout:

🏆 Winner: Ethos Cordoba BE.S.T. — $2,599

The Ethos Cordoba BE.S.T. impressed us from the first shots. Performance, handling, ease of maintenance, and long-term durability all stood out. It’s not inexpensive, but the shooting experience and corrosion-resistant BE.S.T. coating make it a long-term investment for someone who wants one shotgun that truly does it all..

FINAL THOUGHTS

Choosing an all-purpose semi-auto shotgun comes down to how much you shoot and how many roles you expect one gun to fill.

If you’re on a tight budget, the Retay Gordion is the best place to start. For the best balance of price and performance, the Mossberg 940 Pro stands out. And if you want the best overall do-it-all semi-auto we’ve reviewed, the Ethos Cordoba BE.S.T. earns that title.

As always, let us know what you agree with, disagree with, and which semi-auto shotguns we should review next.

And remember, whether it’s targets in the field or targets in life, you’ll only hit what you’re focused on — live the #TargetFocusedLife.