I have four Beretta O/Us; a Whitewing Sporting 12 gauge, two Blackwings, 12 and 20, and a silver Pigeon 1 in 28 gauge. I just checked all four and they are all neutral cast. I have checked all four on a pattern board for POI and they all shoot a pattern centered left to right. They all shoot a 60/40 (60% above the POI and 40 below) pattern at 25 yards. That will vary slightly depending on the choke tube selected but they all run pretty close to 60/40.
Within the budget constraints you mentioned you should be able to find a Beretta 686 on the used market and have enough left over for lots of ammo or loading components. And I dare you to wear to a Beretta. They are tough. Extremely tough.
