Dedicated turkey shotguns did not become popular until the early 2000s. At the time, turkey populations were booming—there were an estimated 7 million birds inhabiting the U.S. and Canada—which ushered in a new era of optics-ready, short-barreled shotguns that catered to turkey hunters.
Truthfully, any shotgun can kill a longbeard. Browning Auto-5s and Winchester Model 12s were used to punch plenty of turkey tags. But, to kill a gobbler, you must aim a shotgun—not swing the barrel like you do on a flushing rooster or cupped up mallard—and specialized turkey guns increase accuracy because they are intentionally modified to be shot like a rifle.
They generally have a short barrel like a rifle and are either drilled and tapped, or come with a Picatinny rail already affixed to the receiver. This allows for scopes and reflex optics to be mounted and extend the range of a shotgun—when you pair it with the proper shotshell—so that you can deliver the payload with precision.
Turkey hunting is a beloved tradition for many hunters across America. When springtime rolls around, hunters eagerly await opening day to head out to the woods and try their luck at bagging a big tom turkey. Choosing the right gun is an important part of preparing for turkey season. The gun you choose can make all the difference in your hunting success. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best guns and ammunition options for turkey hunting.
Shotguns Are the Top Choice
The most popular and effective option for turkey hunting is the tried and true shotgun. Shotguns allow you to deliver a spread of pellets to take down your target. The scatter effect of the shot gives you a better chance of hitting the vital areas on a turkey compared to a single projectile from a rifle. Most wildlife management areas only allow shotguns during spring turkey season, so it’s the go-to choice for most hunters.
When selecting a shotgun a 12 or 20 gauge model with a 26-28 inch barrel works great for turkeys. The most versatile option is a pump action or semi-automatic shotgun, which allows quick follow up shots. Models like the Mossberg 500, Remington 870 and Winchester SX4 are all excellent pump shotguns for turkey hunting. For semi-autos, the Beretta A400, Benelli Super Black Eagle, and Franchi Affinity are top choices.
You’ll also want to choose a turkey specific choke tube designed to deliver dense, uniform patterns. Brands like Carlson’s and Primos specialize in turkey choke tubes to equip your shotgun. Proper patterning with your chosen shotgun and choke is key.
The Resurgence of Traditional Shotguns
While high-tech modern shotguns dominate today, there’s been a renewed interest in vintage side-by-side shotguns These classic guns bring back the nostalgia of old school turkey hunting Models like the Winchester 101 or traditional double barrel shotguns are making a comeback.
Their simplicity and elegant design hearkens back to a bygone era. And with turkey specific choke tubes, these older shotguns can still deliver lethal patterns on turkeys. Prominent turkey hunters like legendary caller Tom Kelly still swear by their vintage side-by-sides. For hunters who appreciate classic guns and a taste of history in the field, a vintage side-by-side can be an excellent turkey gun.
Heavier Payloads with 3.5 Inch Magnums
For hunters who want the ultimate in shotgun firepower, 3.5 inch 12 gauge magnum models are available. These super magnum shotguns can pack heavier payloads of larger shot than standard 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells. This gives you more pellets and knockdown power on distant turkeys.
Examples like the Mossberg 835 and Winchester SX3 chamber 3.5 inch shells. The tradeoff is increased recoil and cost compared to standard shotgun loads. But for seasoned hunters who can handle the boom, 3.5 inch magnums provide a dense cloud of shot for turkeys. They excel in wide open areas where longer shots are more likely.
Archery and Airguns for Stealthy Hunts
While far less common, it’s legal to hunt turkeys in some areas with bows or pre-charged pneumatic air rifles. This allows for a much stealthier approach compared to gun hunting. Archery turkey hunting requires getting very close, often within 20 yards, for an ethical shot. But bowhunting fans love the challenge. Compound bows with heavier draw weights of 50+ lbs are best suited for turkeys. Mechanical or fixed blade broadheads get the job done.
High powered PCP air rifles are another offbeat but effective turkey option. Models like the Benjamin Bulldog .357 or Umarex Hammer pump up to 3,000+ psi for lethal downrange energy. Their ultra quiet operation allows sneaking into range. Airgun turkey hunters favor round ball or arrow tipped slugs. With practice, PCP air rifles can be deadly on turkeys inside 40 yards.
For hunters seeking an especially authentic, traditional experience in the spring woods, archery and airgun turkey hunting is rewarding And their quiet operation can give you the drop on warier old toms.
The Right Ammo Makes a Difference
Choosing the right shells or pellets is equally important as your firearm. For shotguns, No. 4, 5 or 6 lead or nontoxic shot in 2 3/4 to 3 inch shells is ideal for turkeys. Heavier payloads of 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 oz perform best. Top quality turkey loads from Remington, Federal Premium, and Winchester deliver tight, dense patterns that flatten turkeys.
Specialized turkey loads like Winchester Long Beard XR and Remington Nitro Turkey incorporate buffering agents and shot technology to deliver maximum energy downrange. For airgun and archery hunters, premium quality ammunition and broadheads are also critical. Match your ammo to what your gun or bow prefer for lethality.
No matter what you’re carrying, spend time at the range honing your skills. An accurate hunter with a finely tuned weapon and the right ammunition is a lethal combination in the spring turkey woods.
Trust the Experts’ Recommendations
Seasoned turkey hunters and experts agree that a dependable, well-rounded shotgun is the smartest choice for most turkey hunters. Versatile pump and auto-loading shotguns that handle both standard and magnum 12 gauge shells give hunters maximum flexibility. When matched with the right choke and quality turkey ammunition, these guns check all the boxes.
While more specialized options like vintage side-by-sides, 3.5 inch magnums, bows, and air rifles all have their place, most recommend starting with a mainstream 12 gauge as your first turkey gun. And as we all know, any firearm placed in the hands of a skilled hunter is deadly on turkeys when the time comes.
This spring, head to the turkey woods armed with confidence in your firearm of choice. With the help of this guide, you’ll be ready to join the ranks of successful turkey hunters this season. Good luck!
Remington 870 SPS Super Magnum Price: $630 “The 870 is one of those guns everyone tends to shoot well.”
The 870 is one of those guns everyone tends to shoot well. Its Express, Wingmaster, and Fieldmaster variants are some of the best-patterning pump shotguns of all-time. The SPS Super Magnum has a thumbhole stock, which is why I give this model a slight edge over the Mossberg 500, another well-built turkey slayer. The thumbhole gives you that extra bit of comfort with the SPS over a straight stock or even pistol grip stock. A 20-inch barrel and 13½-inch length of pull make the gun more maneuverable.
You can also add an optic to the top rail for better accuracy, plus the included turkey/predator extended choke tube will deliver pellet dense patterns beyond 40 yards with lead and tungsten super shot (TSS) loads. Dual action bars, that are nearly impossible to bend or break, run the bolt when you slide the fore-end backwards and forwards. I’ve put my 870s through hell over the years, even dunking a brand-new Fieldmaster in our family fishing pond after tossing a dirt clod in the action to see if it would shoot during a torture test. It ran right through three shells before jamming. All I had to do was disassemble the 870, wipe it down, and it fired right up on the next trigger pull.
- Platform: Pump-Action
- Gauge: 12
- Chamber: 3½”
- Weight: 7.1 lbs
- Price: $630
Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey Price: $750 “A turkey choke comes standard, so you don’t have to look for an aftermarket option.”
Turkey guns are Mossberg’s specialty, and the Connecticut gunmaker hit the mark again with its first dedicated 28-gauge turkey autoloader. I tested this gun in early 2023 and it printed some phenomenal patterns inside a 10-inch circle with Federal Heavyweight TSS and Apex Ammunition at 40 yards. And, since it’s a gas-driven semi-auto and the charge weight of the Federal and Apex loads were 1 and 1⅜ ounces respectively, the felt recoil was minimal.
A Picatinny rail is included with the SA-28 for mounting an optic, plus a turkey choke comes standard, so you don’t have to look for an aftermarket option. There is also a ghost ring sight affixed to the 22-inch, vent-rib barrel, which I found to be just as accurate as the red-dot sight I used during testing. The pistol grip stock gives you better control of the SA-28 and the swivel studs allow you to attach a sling for an easy carry afield.
- Platform: Semi-Auto
- Gauge: 28
- Chamber: 2¾”
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Price: $750
WHAT FIREARM TO USE FOR TURKEY HUNTING | Hunters Connect
FAQ
What is the best gun to hunt turkey?
What caliber is used for turkey hunting?
What size gun for turkey?
Is a 12-gauge good for turkey hunting?
Do turkey hunters use shotguns?
Not too long ago, turkeys were hunted with standard hunting shotguns. But as the needs of turkey hunters became clearer, manufacturers began producing shotguns designed specifically for turkey hunting. This produced a shorter, handier gun. The accuracy of the turkey gun was augmented with specialty chokes and newer sighting options.
What is the best shotgun for turkey hunting?
This is a 12-gauge, the perfect size for turkey, and you can use up to 3.5” shells. The tubular magazine has a 5+1 capacity, making it one of the best high capacity turkey hunting shotguns you can buy. And the recoil pad built into the butt of the gun will help to keep your shoulder functioning still by the end of the day.
Can you use a 410 shotgun for turkey hunting?
A few states don’t allow .410 shotguns for turkey hunting. The most popular gauge by far remains 12, with 16 gauge shotguns making a comeback, and youth and female hunters often preferring the lighter kicking 20 gauge. For hard-hitting power, a 12-gauge with a three-inch magnum shell, packed with BB is hard to beat.
What is a Turkey shotgun?
One of the hottest trends in the shotgun market is the “turkey gun.” Today, the best turkey shotguns are typically variants of a shotgun that was designed for waterfowl or small game hunters with stocks and barrels that are shortened to make the guns easier to carry and more maneuverable in tight cover.