“affinity”

The Affinity is this author’s definition of a bird gun.

Looking for a new shotgun? Here are eight offerings from 2012 that stand out from the crowd.

It's no secret that Dave Campbell has an affinity for the .44 caliber—both Special and Magnum. But there is an even older .44—specifically the .44-40 Winchester Center Fire—has its place in his heart, too.

NRA has announced the launch of NRA Outdoors Hunting & Fishing Destinations, a new adventure travel program offering cost-effective outdoor excursions and long range marksmanship training to NRA members.

The new Weatherby Element is the company's first inertia-operated semi-auto shotgun, and it comes with looks and a price bird hunters will love.

The Franchi Intensity, in many ways, delivers on its name. It capitalizes on some of the industry’s most respected technologies to reliably harness the most powerful shotshell payloads, and it does so in a slim, attractive package that betrays its middle-of-the-road price point. Hard to argue with any scattergun that offers both versatility and value.

Finding the right shotgun fit means everything, but it's exceptionally difficult if you're sporting a smaller frame than what your scattergun was designed for. The average female shooter is smaller in stature than their male counterparts, companies have been recognizing and adjusting for that in recent years. Franchi is joining in the party in 2016 with the introduction of its Catalyst line of shotguns.

Associate Editor Jon Draper takes a look at some of 2016's top new shotgun offerings.