I would just get a gun you really like. With all the chokes and ammo choices we have now you can get pretty much any gun to put up acceptable patterns for hunting out to 40 yards. I would definitely get one already drilled and tapped for an optic though, if possible, and probably go with a 24" or so barrel. We are really enjoying the salad days of firearms, tons of great choices on the market now, and it sure does make it hard to choose!