I have 2 suggestions;

1. Look at the ammo you're using in the Nova; that is to good of a gun to be suffering those malfuncions.  And my experience is usually a good semi-auto acting up is usually traced to feeding it ammo it don't like.

2. If you want a good semi-auto; go with a Remington 1100.  I don't know what they're going for new, but I've bought 2 used for $350.

Just my .02 since you said a penny for my thoughts.

I would seriously consider the Weatherby SA-08 synthetic. http://www.weatherby.com/product/shotguns/semiauto/sa08_synthetic/?utm_source=wbynation&utm_medium=449_site_banner&utm_content=449_nation_sidebanner&utm_campaign=449Weatherby

I own the standard SA-08 and I love it. The synthetic model, new, starts at $449. Read up on it on the link I sent. It has a dual valve system that allows you to set it for heavy or light loads. making it perfect for any type hunting.

Guns don't kill people....Its those pesky little bullets making lots of holes that all the blood leaks out of.

I have a remmington 1148 that was passed from my Grandfather to my father, and to me.  It is very simmmilar to the 1100, and is a great gun.  I did however have feeding problems one time with one particular box of ammo that I bought.  changed ammo, never had a prob again.

Also, you might look into cleaning the action on your bennelli.  You might have done that already, but a dirty action on a semi auto can keep it from feeding propoerly.

get the Nova fixed! Probably extractor.... A semi auto shotgun for 500 is do able. Do you hunt ducks or geese or plan to?

I dont hunt duck or geese but I would if the oppurtunity presented itself.  Mainly hunt turkey and quail. 

Finding an autoloader for 500 is kinda tough if you want it run good with no problem's---Mossberg 935 is the only autoloader I am familiar with that chambers the 3.5 shell(ducks Geese a must)The 935 is still kinda finicky on the shells you feed it. We have found though if you clean the factory grease or cosmolene out and relube it with somethin else it will run. Not tryin to beat up your thread here just throwing some questions out there to think on. Good Luck----also check out theduckhunter.net and texaswaterfowler.com or mudmotortalk.com classifieds to locate a used smoke pole at a decent price!

If you are strictly looking for a new gun I would suggest taking a look at the Stoeger m2000. The Stoegers are Benelli's entry level autoloader and are around 500 new. If you can find one of the old combo deals still out there (no longer produced) you can get a black synthetic one with both a 28" barrel and a slug barrel with cantilever mount (just make sure that the mount has been fixed, these were recalled, hence why it's not made anymore). It's a great gun with Benelli's inertia system, but the one I've been shooting doesnt like the cheap federal or winchester upland game loads for the first couple shots. Cycles all other ammo like a champ tho, but only a 3" chamber.

Only thing I hate about the benelli line of autoloaders is the little handle on the bolt pulls out kinda easy and if you don't make sure it's in there good, it'll fly out into the field afer a shot. Already lost two.

yeah the remington 1100 like james said i got on and i like it

First let me say that I have very little slug shooting expirence . My dad shot enough to be able to relate the this from a time when a rifled 12ga was twice as exotic as a screw in choke and those were about 1 for 10 with polychokes . With that said , rifled slugs or brenke type slugs will shoot fine even in tighter chokes . More open chokes like your imp cyl should make 3 inch groups with a fair amount of consistancy. My Dad shot 4inch 100 yard groups with a 50s vintage 30 inch bbl'd full choked Winchester mod 12 .

Best Regards

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