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Perhaps the toughest time for upland hunters and waterfowlers is the lead-up to the hunting season, the long dog days of summer when we’re anxiously awaiting that first cool morning and the explosion of color that accompanies fall. Late summer and early autumn are the time to make certain that your dogs are tuned and ready to go, and that you have all the equipment you need for the coming season, and right now is the time to look back at last year's guns and shotshells and begin planning and practicing for next year. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best new upland, waterfowl, and competition shotguns and ammunition for 2024.

Shotguns

Browning A5 Hunter 20-Gauge

Browning fans have been begging for a 20-gauge A5 for years, and it has finally arrived. It’s built on a smaller frame than its 16- and 12-gauge cousins, and with its lightweight aluminum receiver, the A5 Hunter 20-gauge weighs just over 5 1/2 pounds, which makes it suitable for hard hunting in steep country. The Kinematic drive system uses inertia to reliably cycle a wide range of loads, and the Inflex recoil pad helps dampen recoil. Invector DS chokes (IC, M, F) come standard, and the new A5 features the same signature humpback profile found on other A5s, which lengthens the sight plane.

1,980; browning.com

Franchi Affinity 3 Sport Trap

The Affinity 3 Sport Trap is designed to serve double duty as a clay target and field gun, and it’s the perfect option for anyone seeking an affordable, reliable all-purpose 12-gauge. It has 30-inch ported barrels and a fiber optic sight, and the oversized controls are easy to operate on the clays course or in the field. Weight is seven pounds, which makes the gun portable yet reduces recoil, and three extended choke tubes (IC, M, F) come standard. Franchi’s Omni Stock shim adjustments and TSA recoil pad also come standard on the Affinity 3 Sport Trap. If you’re looking for a single gun for the range and field, the reliable, hard-working Franchi is an excellent choice—and value.

$999; franchiusa.com

Mossberg International Gold Reserve 20-Gauge

The new 20-gauge version of Mossberg International’s Gold Reserve over/under shotgun comes with 30-inch vent rib barrels and a satin finish black walnut stock. The polished silver aluminum alloy receiver features scroll and gold inlay, and overall weight is seven pounds. Five extended sport chokes come standard, and these guns are outfitted with jeweled action and ejectors. Both the chambers and bore are chrome-lined. If you’re looking for a 20-gauge that serves double duty as a field and clay target gun the Gold Reserve is an excellent choice.

$1,135; mossberg.com

Benelli 828U Steel Field

The original 828U is an outstanding shotgun with lots of innovative features, but the aluminum receiver made it considerably lighter than most other field shotguns. That’s great for all-day carry, but some hunters preferred the added weight of a steel receiver. Benelli is accommodating that request in 2024 with the launch of the 828U Steel Field. Weight varies from 7.6- to 7.8-pounds for 12-gauge models and 6.9- to 7-pounds for the 20-gauge offerings. The elegant brushed grey finish on the receiver makes this a great-looking gun, and like other 828U shotguns, it features a patented steel locking system that reduces fatigue on the receiver and hinge pin. It also features a clever barrel-contained ejector system, top lever trigger reset, and a striking AA-grade walnut stock with Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system. Benelli’s Perfect Fit system allows for 40 points of cast and drop adjustment, and five Crio chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F) come standard. The 12-gauge comes with 26-, 28-, or 30-inch barrels while the 20-gauge version is offered with 26- or 28-inch pipes.

$3,700; benelliusa.com

Fausti DEA

Part of Fausti’s Core line of products, the DEA (Italian for goddess) side-by-side is an exceptionally elegant field gun that’s available in 12-, 16-, 20-, 28-gauge, and .410 in scaled frames. They’re built in Fausti’s ultra-modern facility in Brescia, and like other Fausti guns, you can choose finish pattern, barrel lengths, and more. The 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge guns come with splinter forearms, while the 28 gauge and .410 feature beavertail forearms for improved control. A single selective trigger and interchangeable chokes come standard, and the exceptional hand-selected walnut stocks feature a rich hand-oil finish.

$4,418–$5,105; faustiusa.com

Savage Renegauge Prairie

Powered by Savage’s Dual Regulating Inline Valve (DRIV) system, the Renegauge Prairie is one of the softest shooting and most reliable gas-operated semiauto shotguns available today. Like other Savage guns, it offers a stock that’s customizable for a perfect fit, and the combination of True Timber camo on the stock and Cerakote Desert Tan on the metalwork makes this one of the most striking shotguns on the market. More importantly, it’s also tough and reliable. The oversized controls and enlarged loading port make it easy to operate, and these guns come with three interchangeable chokes (IC, M, F) and a hard carry case.

$1,349; savagearms.com

Caeser Guerini Woodlander Dove Special

A few years ago, Caesar Guerini offered a limited edition of their Woodlander shotgun, known as the Dove Special, in 20-gauge. These beautifully crafted Italian boxlock over/unders feature a color case finished receiver with a pair of gold doves on the bottom, superb hand-oiled walnut stocks with pistol grips, a solid top rib, and soft rubber recoil pad for high-volume shooting. Both 20- and 28-gauge versions of the Woodlander Dove Special are available with barrel lengths of 28- or 30-inches and either right or left-handed stocks. I had a chance to evaluate the original Woodlander Dove Special, and I can understand why these elegant, robust Italian over/under sell out quickly.

$5,325 ($5,620 LH Stock); gueriniusa.com

Weatherby Sorix

Weatherby’s new Italian-made Sorix is a solidly built semiauto shotgun that’s versatile enough for clay targets, upland hunting, and waterfowl. The most striking feature is the channel on the left side of the receiver that allows the shooter to swap the bolt handle from the right to left side of the gun (Weatherby calls it the Shift System), simplifying operation for southpaws. These 12-gauge guns are available in three camo/ Cerakote color combinations, feature 3.5-inch chambers, and come with five chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F). Like other inertia-operated guns, the Sorix utilizes only a handful of moving parts, so it’s easy to clean and extremely reliable.

$1,499; weatherby.com

Winchester SXP Hybrid Hunter

With its classic walnut stock and grey PermaCote surface finish on the barrel and receiver, the Winchester SXP is a striking slide-action shotgun. These reliable pumps are perfect for shooting trap and hunting upland game or waterfowl, and they’re an excellent value. A 12-gauge version with 28-inch barrel and 20-gauge versions with a choice of 26- or 28-inch barrels are available, and they’re all priced below $450. Three Invector-Plus choke tubes (IC, M, F), a brass bead front sight, and an Inflex recoil pad all come standard on these guns.

$430 – $450; winchesterguns.com

Fabarm L4S Allsport RS

I’m a huge fan of Fabarm’s ELOS N2 Allsport over/under shotguns, and now there’s an Allsport RS version of the company’s rock-solid L4S semiauto shotgun. The L4S Allsport RS comes with Fabarm’s Quick Release Rib (QRR), which allows you to rapidly switch ribs to adjust point of impact. An adjustable comb, 5 EXIS HP Hyperbolic extended chokes, and a high-grade walnut stock all come standard with this gun. The blue controls, lettering, and magazine cap add a touch of style to this classy-looking gun, and it’s available in 12-gauge with 30-inch barrels in both right and left-hand configurations. The soft-shooting, reliable gas operation system and long list of features make this a great competition shotgun that’s priced below its over/under cousins.

$2,750 ($2,970 LH Stock); fabarmusa.com

Tristar Phoenix SXS

Tristar’s elegant Phoenix side-by-side comes with a Turkish walnut stock and case colored receiver. It’s available in both 12- and 20-gauge, and five Beretta style chokes (SK, IC, M, IM, F) are included with each gun. Phoenix shotguns come with a single trigger (more familiar to most American shooters), and the barrel selector is integrated into the tang-mounted safety. When the safety is engaged, it blocks the trigger, hammer lever, and hammer, immobilizing the firing mechanism for maximum security. Weights are manageable for a field gun; just 6.6-pounds for the 20-gauge and 6.9-pounds for the12-gauge.

$795; Tristararms.com

Shotshells

APEX TSS/S3 20-Gauge Waterfowl Blend

Apex’s new 20-gauge waterfowl load combines 7/8-ounces of their premium #2 zinc-coated S3 steel with 1/4-ounce of #7.5 TSS to create an effective all-purpose non-toxic waterfowl load. With a velocity of 1,250 fps, these hard-hitting loads offer the close-range performance of premium steel and the exceptional downrange energy of TSS, and the blend of steel and TSS keeps prices well below what you’d pay for full TSS ammo. Apex ammunition has an enviable reputation for consistency and performance, and these potent loads are suitable for upland hunting as well as waterfowling.

$49 per 25; apexmunition.com

Boss Steel Reserve

Steel is an affordable non-toxic shot option, and BOSS has designed their Steel Reserve ammunition to be effective at shots out to 30 yards. These copper-plated steel shot loads don’t require wad stripping chokes (BOSS recommends modified factory or aftermarket tubes), and with velocities from 1,450 to 1,500 fps, these shells offer excellent lethality for moderate range hunting. A cushion section helps dampen recoil, and a double gas seal ensures a consistent powder burn with each shot. These shells also come with Biotec additive to aid in environmental breakdown of plastics. Steel Reserve is available in both 12- and 20-gauge.

$24–$29 per 20; bosshotshells.com

B&P Upland Game Classic

Finding a low-pressure field load that’s suitable for vintage short-chambered shotguns can be a real chore, but B&P has simplified the process by offering their Upland Game Classic shotshells. Their new 2 1/2 - inch 12-gauge loads come with a one-ounce load of nickel-plated lead in shot sizes 6, 7 1/2, and 8. Velocity is a modest 1,160 feet per second which, when combined with B&P’s recoil-reducing Gordon Hull technology, makes these soft-shooting game loads that are easy on the shooter and the classic shotgun. Upland Game Classic is also available in sub-gauge loads.

$25 per 25; baschieri-pellagriusa.com

Federal Premium Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend

Federal’s new Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend shotshells combine a 70 percent payload of premium steel shot with 30 percent HEVI-Bismuth to create a non-toxic upland load that’s lethal at longer ranges than traditional steel loads. At 9.6 c/cc, HEVI- Bismuth is nearly as dense as lead, but meets non-toxic requirements, and the included FLITECONTROL FLEX wad ensures reliable downrange performance. These blended loads are available in 12-gauge (2 3/4 and 3-inch) and 20-gauge (3-inch).

$42–$48 per 25; federalpremium.com

Winchester Super Pheasant 28-Gauge 3-Inch

The era of 3-inch 28-gauge guns is upon us, and Winchester’s new Super Pheasant load makes your 3-inch 28-gauge gun effective for a wide variety of wild birds. Firing a 1 1/8-ounce load of #5 copper-plated lead shot at a velocity of 1,200 fps, this is a game-changer for 28-gauge 3-inch guns, and makes them suitable for large, hard-flying birds like late-season pheasants in the Dakotas or Huns in Idaho. Premium components result in superior patterns and performance, transforming your mild-mannered 28 into an all-purpose game gun.

$36 per 25; winchester.com

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Steel upland

This year, HEVI-Shot is expanding their popular HEVI-Steel Upland line to include new 12-gauge 2 3/4-inch #7 and #6 one-ounce loads. HEVI-Shot’s precision steel is uniform, resulting in excellent downrange patterns. With velocities of 1,350 fps, the payload of 7.8 g/cc steel is lethal for birds at moderate ranges. High-quality components result in reliable performance from these non-toxic shells, and they’re an excellent value that’s perfect for upland hunting.

$36 per 25; winchester.com

Remington Nitro Pigeon

These 2 3/4-inch 12-gauge loads are designed for fast-flying birds and drive a 1 1/4-ounce load of #7.5 shot at 1,230 fps, making this an ideal load not only for pigeons, but also chukar, quail, and just about any other game bird. The American-made lead pellets and Power piston wad make a lethal combination, and Remington’s high-quality, consistent propellants provide reliable performance with each shot. This is a versatile and affordable upland hunting load that’s ideal for a variety of game.

$24 per 25; remington.com