Which fits you the best? Modern shotguns, are generally very reliable. But, if the shotgun does not fit you well, you will not shoot it well regardless of who made it. Next, which swings the best (follow through)? Gun balance that you like is important too if you are to consistently hit your target. Finally, do you really need a 3.5” gun? If not, a 3” should save you some money and be more reliable with lighter loads. All things being equal, I love the Browning’s speed load function and the simplicity of the Versa Max’s action. Pick the gun that fits and meets your budget would be my advice. If I were buying sight on seen, I would buy the Browning as it is one of the “Three Bs” (Browning, Beretta and Benelli) which are by all accounts considered the best made shotguns - which leads to my final suggestion, don’t rule out any of the three Bs in your search. Check the Benelli SBE3/M2 and the Beretta A400 before you decide on a gun.

Jack, Save the money and buy the Remington. Can't beat the Versamax. You will not regret the purchase. Put the savings in your gas tank to get to the birds.

I would lean toward the A5. And why not have the ability to shoot 3.5". Others have said "unreliable with shorter rounds". I have a Win SX3 and Benelli Supernova, both 3.5" chambers. Shoot 2 3/4" reliably all the time, actually most of the time I shoot 2 3/4". The A5 is tried and true. Just my 2c

Jack - Honestly, the Remington 11-87 is hard to beat. I've been shooting Remington 1100s and 1187s for decades .. and they've never let me down. Whether a frosty morning duck hunt, a fall pheasant shoot, of late summer dove hunt, my Remingtons have always been there to do what they needed to do to make the hunt successful. There are accessories galore for the Remingtons, including extra barrels, special purpose chokes, sight mounts ... And I've found their customer service is second to none. I say definitely go with the VersaMax or, in my opinion, the 11-87.

Jack, your first lean is likely the correct one Sir. The Browning A5 Stalker 12 ga 3.5 will cycle any load there is.The all new Kinematic Drive System, the A5 is simply one of the most reliable, fastest cycling, best balanced and softest shooting recoil-operated autoloader on the planet. You will have the luxury of firing any 12ga load from 3.5" on down no issue.

of the 3 I like the Remington I would go for a 3 inch gun not a 3.5 for all the game you listed a 3 inch that will also function with light loads is all you need may of the 3.5 inch guns are not reliable with the lighter 2 3/4 inch "dove " loads. I would also look at the remingtom 11-87 or the beretta A300 budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/83647/beretta+a300+12ga+3%22+28+mc3+syn