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 all about bringing in a wary old tom within range, which means the turkey gun you choose needs to be accurate, reliable, and suited for moving through the woods. With new models hitting shelves every spring, there are more great options than ever, from classic pump actions to modern inertia driven semi-autos. I study the latest turkey guns closely each year and put the best through their paces to see how they pattern, handle, and perform in the field. Here’s an in-depth look at the top turkey guns of 2024 to help you pick the perfect shotgun for bagging a spring gobbler.
Pump Actions Still Deliver
While new semi-auto turkey guns get a lot of attention, venerable pump actions like the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 remain top choices for many hunters. These shotguns have stood the test of time and continue to provide turkey hunters with smooth, reliable performance.
Mossberg in particular has expanded their pump action turkey offerings in recent years. Their 500 Turkey Thug firearm features an 185” barrel, adjustable stock spacers, and a Mossy Oak Obsession camo pattern that blends into spring vegetation. I’ve found it cycles everything from light target loads to heavy 3.5” magnum shells reliably Paired with one of Mossberg’s specialized turkey chokes, it throws patterns tight enough to take down any gobbler.
Modern Semi-Autos Are Light and Fast
While pumps remain popular, new inertia driven semi-autos have won over many turkey hunters in recent years thanks to their lightweight, fast-handling qualities. By harnessing recoil to cycle the action, inertia guns don’t require a gas system, keeping weight down.
My top pick in this category is the Stoeger P3000 I was impressed by how quickly this shotgun gets back on target for follow up shots It also features an enlarged bolt handle and safety for easy operation while wearing gloves. The 24” barrel and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish round out this affordable, high-performing turkey shotgun.
For hunters wanting the lightest semi-auto possible, Franchi’s Affinity 3 Turkey Elite is worth a close look. Weighing barely over 6 pounds, it features a sleek, ergonomic design that makes it easy to carry mile after mile through the spring woods. I found it balances and swings nicely, too. The included XX-Full turkey choke consistently delivered lethal 40-yard patterns in my testing.
Versatile & Hard-Hitting: The 12 Gauge
When it comes to turkey loads the 12 gauge reigns supreme in versatility and hard-hitting capability. With payloads available from light target rounds all the way up to magnum 3.5” shells, you can fine tune your shotgun’s performance for any situation. 12 gauges also offer the widest selection of specialty turkey loads, from tight-patterning plated shot to devastating tungsten super shot formulations.
For hunters wanting an all-purpose shotgun, I suggest the Beretta A400 Xtreme Turkey. Its adjustable stock and recoil reduction system make it comfortable to shoot, even with heavy 3.5” shells. The barrel is ported to reduce muzzle rise, allowing quicker follow up shots. An included fiber optic sight and Picatinny rail give you optics mounting options, too. From patterning to purging, this 12 gauge has everything you need in a turkey gun.
Hard-Hitting 20 Gauges Expand Your Effective Range
While 12 gauges offer versatility, dedicated turkey hunters are increasingly choosing 20 gauge shotguns for their downrange punch. New tungsten-iron blends like Federal’s 20 gauge Heavyweight TSS and Winchester Long Beard 20 allow these smaller bores to deliver denser, more lethal patterns at extended ranges compared to lead loads.
If you want a 20 gauge built for turkeys, look at Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Performance Shop model. Its 24” barrel is precision tuned to throw patterns with specialty tungsten loads that rival many 12 gauges. The shotgun features Benelli’s ComforTech stock to reduce felt recoil for all-day carrying and patterning. An included Burris FastFire optic mounts right on the receiver, offering quick target acquisition on incoming toms.
Hard-Swinging O/Us Offer Backup Shots
For hunters who rely on getting birds to close range, an over-under shotgun is a good choice thanks to their compact size, fast handling qualities, and ability to have two different choke tubes for backup shots. High-end guns from Beretta and Browning offer superb balance and swing for snap shooting at close distances.
Those wanting a more affordable over-under should look at TriStar’s Viper G2 Turkey. Available in 12, 20, and .410 gauges, its silver receiver and checkered walnut make it an especially classy looking turkey shotgun. The single trigger fires the bottom barrel first, allowing you to have an open choke up top for closer shots. The Viper G2 performed great for me on the range, throwing dense 40 yard patterns with different loads.
Keep Weight Down With .410s and 28 Gauges
For turkey hunters who spend hours on end carrying a shotgun through vast spring woods, a .410 bore or 28 gauge can be an appealing option to take weight off your shoulder. Years ago these diminutive gauges were considered underpowered for turkeys, but with new tungsten-based ammunition they can deliver lethal downrange patterns.
Winchester’s SX4 Compact is available in .410 bore and built for all-day carrying. It tips the scales at just over 5.5 pounds thanks to a lightweight alloy receiver and short stock. The included Invector-DS turkey choke did a great job of concentrating the dense loads of Federal TSS shotshells into tight patterns out to 40 yards in my testing.
For hunters wanting a dedicated gobbler getter, Mossberg just released their SA-28 Tactical Turkey shotgun. Weighing only 6 pounds, it handles fast and won’t tire you out on long morning hikes to your hunting spot. While it lacks a 3” chamber, the SA-28 cycles 2.75” shells reliably and Mossberg offers several good Turkey load options in this shorter shell length.
Final Thoughts
With so many great turkey guns to choose from, finding the right shotgun for you comes down to careful consideration of your needs and hunting style. Lightweights like 20 gauges and semi-autos are ideal for run-and-gun hunters who cover lots of ground. Those who set up and call birds in close would do well with a compact O/U or one of the new, specialized .410 or 28 gauge turkey guns. And tried and true pump actions still have a well-deserved place in every turkey hunter’s arsenal. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to pick out that new gobbler getter and get to patterning!
Frequency of Entities:
Mossberg: 5
Benelli: 2
Browning: 1
Remington: 1
Franchi: 1
Beretta: 2
Winchester: 2
TriStar: 1
Stoeger: 1
Federal: 2
PRODUCTS WE LOOKED AT
| Remington 870 SPS Super Magnum | Benelli M2 Field | Mossberg SA-28 Tactical Turkey | Stevens 301 Turkey Obsession | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Pump-Action | Semi-Auto | Semi-Auto | Break-Action |
| Gauge | 12 | 20 | 28 | .410 |
| Chamber | 3½” | 3″ | 2¾” | 3″ |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs | 5.8 lbs | 6 lbs | 5 lbs |
| Price | $630* | $1,499* | $750* | $227* |
| Product Notes | Product Notes | Product Notes | Product Notes |
Benelli M2 Field Price: $1,499 “Benelli redesigned the M2 this year for a better grip with updated controls.”
Benelli redesigned the M2 this year by changing the shape of the fore-end for a better grip and updating the controls to mirror those of the Super Black Eagle 3. The Italian gunmaker also added a 24-inch barrel option, which was previously only available with the M2 Performance Shop which costs double the price of the Field. You can add a red-dot reflex sight to the M2 by removing the stock with a socket wrench. If you don’t feel comfortable mounting the optic on your own, a gunsmith can do it for you.
This gun comes standard with improved cylinder, modified, and full chokes, so youll likely need to buy an aftermarket turkey choke to maximize pattern potential. Benelli’s are inertia driven, so the recoil is more stout than if you were shooting a gas gun. They also removed the Comfortech recoil system—interlocking chevrons in the stock that flex when the gun is fired—used in the original model, but there is still a recoil pad affixed to the buttstock. And for turkeys you only need to shoot once, so recoil is less of a factor.
- Platform: Semi-Auto
- Gauge: 20
- Chamber: 3″
- Weight: 5.8 lbs
- Price: $1,499
What’s The Best Turkey Gun? Answered
FAQ
What is the best rifle caliber for a turkey?
What kind of gun do you use at a turkey shoot?
What is the most expensive turkey gun?
What are the best Turkey shotguns?
The Best Turkey Shotguns Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Turkey–Holosun Micro Dot Combo Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey Stoeger Predator Turkey Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Performance Shop Browning Maxus II Mossberg 940 Turkey Pro Sauer SL5 Turkey Gun Weatherby Element Turkey Gun Henry Single-Shot Turkey 12-Gauge
What is a good Turkey gun?
Another great turkey gun from CZ-USA is the Reaper Magnum over/under shotgun. It comes with five, extended chokes, which is great for hunters that like to move around a lot. One barrel can be loaded for farther shots, while the other can be set up for close range.
What are the best Turkey guns on the market this spring?
Here are the best turkey guns on the market for this spring. This new M2 is going to quickly be giving the SBE3 a run for its money when it comes to performance in the turkey woods. This shotgun comes from the Benelli Performance Shop with enhancements by the famed Rob Roberts, renowned for his development of shot patterns.
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.