I dont know the brand of the shotgun. My buddy, who toted the old 20-gauge each spring, didnt either. His dad left to him, and the vintage shotgun was a longbeard buster. The walnut stock was chipped, and it wiggled side-to-side when shouldered. The barrel showed years of abuse, and the single brass bead was all but worn off.
But heres the kicker. When a tom dared to cross the 40-yard barrier, my turkey-hunting buddy and his trusty 20-gauge wonder showed how effective it was, making the bird pay.
Of course, there are some exceptional turkey-specific shotguns on the market. Most of these are cloaked-in-camo semi-autos sporting all the bells and whistles. However, each added bell and new whistle drives the price point up.
Dont lose hope, though. There are plenty of shotguns out there that will make your spring dreams a reality. The to-come list includes such; the good news is that they come in field-ready for under a thousand bucks. Advertisement
Turkey hunting with a 20 gauge shotgun has become increasingly popular in recent years, The 20 gauge offers several advantages over the traditional 12 gauge for turkey hunting
Lightweight and Easy to Carry
One of the main benefits of a 20 gauge for turkey hunting is its lighter weight compared to a 12 gauge. This makes it easier to carry on those long days in the turkey woods. The lighter recoil of a 20 gauge also makes it more comfortable to shoot, especially for younger or smaller-framed hunters.
When you’re covering miles of terrain in search of gobblers, ounces matter. The lighter a shotgun, the less fatigue you’ll experience over the course of a hunt. A 20 gauge shotgun typically weighs between 5.5 to 7 pounds. Comparable 12 gauge shotguns are usually 7.5 to 9 pounds. That 1.5 to 2 pound difference adds up when carried all day.
Effective Range
While a 12 gauge clearly has advantages at longer distances, the effective range of the modern 20 gauge has increased substantially thanks to advances in ammunition. Many 20 gauge turkey loads now use dense tungsten-based shot that maintains energy and pattern density over increased distances compared to lead or steel shot.
For most turkey hunting scenarios, where shots are typically inside 40 yards, a properly choked 20 gauge shooting quality shells can deliver excellent pattern density and knockdown power on turkeys The smaller payload does limit performance at extreme distances compared to a 12 gauge. But inside normal turkey gun ranges, a 20 is more than adequate.
Recoil Reduction
The lighter recoil of a 20 gauge shotgun helps make it more pleasant and comfortable to shoot for hunters of all ages and body types. The recoil energy of a 20 gauge turkey load is reduced by around 25% compared to a comparable 12 gauge turkey load.
Less recoil flinch can lead to better shot execution in high pressure situations. It also helps you stay focused if multiple shot opportunities present themselves. The lower recoil makes a 20 gauge shotgun easier for youth hunters to handle as well.
Ammo Selection
There is a wide variety of effective 20 gauge turkey hunting ammunition available to match different gun capabilities and hunting scenarios:
- Lead turkey loads in #4, #5 and #6 shot sizes
- Heavy payloads of plated #4, #5 and #6 copper plated lead shot
- High density loads of #5, #6 and #7 tungsten super shot (TSS)
- Magnum turkey loads with heavier shot charges and higher velocities
- Specialized extra-long range turkey loads
With all the different 20 gauge ammo options, you can fine tune your turkey gun’s performance.
Top 20 Gauge Turkey Shotguns
Here are some of the top rated 20 gauge shotgun options specifically designed for turkey hunting:
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (Best Overall)
- 3-inch chamber
- 24-28 inch barrel configurations
- Inertia driven recoil reduction
- Excellent fit, finish and reliability
Browning A5 Hunter
- Classic humpback inertia action
- Slim receiver for fast handling
- 26 or 28 inch barrels
- 5.7 lb. average weight
Weatherby SA-08 Turkey
- Gas operated action
- Ring-neck sights for aiming
- Realtree Timber camo finish
- Anti-jam action
Remington 870 Turkey Express
- Matte finish on metal and synthetic stock
- 22 inch vented barrel patterned for turkey hunting
- Integrated sling swivel studs
- Less than 6 lb. weight
Mossberg 500 Turkey Thug
- 12 gauge performance in a 20 gauge
- Fully camouflaged with overmolded stock
- Fiber optic sights for quick target acquisition
- Drilled and tapped for optics
The Bottom Line
The best 20 gauge shotgun for turkey hunting is the one that fits you well, swings smoothly, and patterns your chosen turkey loads consistently and evenly. Any 20 gauge from a reputable manufacturer that meets those criteria can be an excellent turkey gun in the right hands. Advances in ammunition have made the 20 a much more versatile and effective modern option compared to 20 gauges of the past. While the 12 gauge still holds some advantages, the 20 gauge continue to gain popularity with turkey hunters looking for a lightweight, soft-shooting shotgun that extends their effective range.
Winchester SXP NWTF Turkey Hunter – Camo
Winchester SXP NWTF Turkey Hunter – Camo
Though I havent shouldered the shotgun, a pair of my turkey hunting compadres wouldnt trade their SXP NWTF Turkey Hunters for anything. A straightforward pump-action with an alloy, drilled-and-tapped receiver, this Winchester build comes with a back-bored barrel, a single Invector-Plus Turkey choke, and dual fiber-optic sights for enhanced accuracy and low-light performance. A drop-out trigger design ensures easy cleaning, and the rotary bolt with four lugs means maximum strength and total lockup. Available in Mossy Oak Obsession and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, the SXP NWTF comes in 12- and 20-gauge models.
Browning BPS Field Composite
Browning BPS Field Composite
When you see Browning branded on a gun, its hard to imagine getting into that gun for under $1K. However, the Field Composite BPS is budget-friendly and this tough-as-nails shotgun showcases a durable composite stock and forearm. The matte-blued steel receiver and barrel reduce shine. Available in 12- and 20-gauge models, theres a BPS right for every turkey goer. The single silver front bead simplifies the aiming process, and youll appreciate the bottom loading and ejecting design. The Inflex II Recoil Pad soaks up recoil like a sponge. Since the shotgun has a trio of Invector-Plus Flush (Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder) chokes, you dont have to drop extra coins to convert the gun to an effective gobbler getter.