The 2026 shotgun landscape is defined by significant enhancements to established platforms and a notable reintroduction, all rigorously evaluated by the team at www.outdoorlife.com. Their comprehensive testing, involving over 1,500 clays and detailed point-of-impact (POI) assessments over three days, yielded insights into several standout models.
Leading the charge is the Beretta AX800 Suprema, hailed as a flagship waterfowl gun. While its tactical aesthetics might initially raise an eyebrow, the source material notes it quickly earned acclaim for being the lightest-recoiling duck gun experienced by the reviewer, exhibiting exceptional point and swing characteristics. Key to its performance is the Kick-Off Pro recoil reduction system, featuring a series of springs and a soft faux leather cheek piece that effectively mitigates magnum duck loads. Beretta has also upgraded its gas system for greater efficiency and incorporated an internal PVD coating to reduce buildup. Paired with a top-tier Steelium Pro barrel, the AX800 consistently delivered 80% patterns at 40 yards with a modified choke shooting No. 2 steel loads. Despite online commentary regarding its polymer receiver, the material is specifically engineered for the demands of waterfowl hunting, emphasizing corrosion resistance. Functionally, the AX800 reliably cycles heavier 1 1/8 ounce target loads, though it did not consistently run lighter 1-ounce target loads.
For shooters seeking similar performance without the premium price point, Beretta introduces the A400 Solo, celebrating the company’s 500th birthday. This mid-priced semi-auto bridges the gap between the A300 and A400 Xtreme Plus, offering features critical to a dedicated waterfowler. It incorporates the same improved gas system as the AX800, alongside enlarged controls, a generous loading port, and a flat trigger. Notably, the A400 Solo utilizes a steel receiver, providing recoil mitigation and handling very similar to the Suprema, all at a competitive price point around $1,600, positioning it as a top contender in the mid-priced semi-auto segment, according to www.outdoorlife.com.
In the over/under category, the Ruger Red Label III makes a notable return as an American-made offering. This 20-gauge shotgun, featuring 30-inch barrels and manufactured by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC) for Ruger, is described as lighter, sleeker, and livelier than its predecessors. Diverging from the original box-lock action, the Red Label III employs a triggerplate action, which mounts hammers, hammer springs, and sears to the triggerplate, allowing for a slender frame—a design shared with CSMC’s higher-end Inverness line. While some Red Label IIIs have reportedly shown varied wood quality and instances of second-barrel misfires, the test gun detailed by www.outdoorlife.com performed flawlessly through nearly a case of ammunition, affirming its suitability for upland pursuits like pheasant hunting at its current street price of approximately $2,500.
Rounding out the evaluation, the Autumn Elite side-by-side garnered significant praise. This 20-gauge double gun, configured in the test model with a pistol grip and single inertia trigger, offers remarkable aesthetics with gold-inlaid game scenes and detailed receiver engravings complemented by precision checkering. Performance-wise, its light and lively nature, combined with a quick-to-shoulder design and excellent pointability, makes it ideal for dense grouse coverts or quail plantations. Point-of-impact testing revealed precise 50/50 patterns from both barrels with minimal deviation, with barrels crossing optimally at approximately 25 yards.
