The best auto that I ever owned of several was a Beretta A301 in a 12 gauge 3" magnum, light, sleek and trim in comparision to other other auto mags, which got it to shoulder quicker;
http://www.berettaweb.com/semi%20auto%20shotgun/A300.htm
I bought it new in about 1977 and over the course of owning the gun for about 10 years shot several thousand rounds at clay, much during cold winter conditions and a fair amount of game; even lucked into getting a 22" slug barrel at the old Frenchy's sports store in Inglewood and had some slug fun with it. When I sold it to move out of the country it still looked like new as the metal and wood finish on the A300's are impervious. It was also one of the few auto guns that I never had a hang fire or jammed round with, even shooting cheapo eastern European 2 3/4 no-name practice shells. There's no rubber butt plate on the A300 as there is no need, the gas blow back system works to take out recoil better than on most auto's.
I saw several in nice condition at the last Calgary gun show at around $750 or less and was tempted. Cool thing about the old Beretta's is you can get factory parts if you ever needed them, but you never would and things like folding stocks and fiber grips are available.
Everyone has their own opinion but a pistol gun grip is a more natural hold and are more accurate than English stocks for clay target shooting imo, once you get your arm and hand trained to the gun, and vented ribs are gunsmiths friend as they get to repair them on a regular basis.
If looking for new the current comparable 300 series Beretta is the AL 391 Urika, which becomes a whole weapons system just by changing stocks and barrels;
http://www.beretta.com/index.aspx?m=74&idc=1&ids=34
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