Turkey hunting is one of the most challenging shooting sports in the world. These birds are savvy, have a powerful sense of smell, and are liable to bolt if you so much as blink while they’re looking in your direction. Oh, and your maximum effective range with bidshot and a turkey choke is around 50 yards. So you’ll need to get relatively close.
With this difficult game, you need every edge you can get, which is why we decided to find the best turkey shotgun on the market. When choosing these turkey guns, we focused on accuracy, versatility, and value. We also favored pump action guns.
This is more a matter of price than anything else. The whole point of owning a semi-automatic shotgun is to make quick follow-up shots. However, you won’t often get a second shot at a turkey, rendering this advantage mostly moot.
So are you ready to find the best gun for turkey hunting? Let’s get started! If you are wanting some Turkey Hunting Tips we’ve got your covered too!
12 Best Turkey Shotguns
The Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter’s all-around Mossy Oak Break-Up skin keeps the gobblers from seeing you until it’s too late.
Key features:
- 20 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 24-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 6.25 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Mossy Oak Break-Up camo skin
- Adjustable fiber-optic iron sights
- Drilled and tapped for optics
As its name implies, the Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter is specifically designed to be a turkey gun. The 24-inch barrel is long enough to be accurate at reasonable turkey shooting ranges, and the entire gun is wrapped in a Mossy Oak Break-Up camo skin to keep the gobbler from spotting you with his sharp eyes.
This gun accepts 3-inch shells, which are the most powerful available in a 20 gauge. However, the polymer stock is fairly lightweight for a Winchester, which gives it a little more kick than you’d get on a heavier wood shotgun.
The real attraction here are the pre-installed fiber-optic iron sights, which make it easier to draw a bead right out of the box. The SXP Turkey Hunter also comes drilled and tapped for optics, so you can install a glass sight without having to take it to a gunsmith.
Pros:
- Reliable, smooth-cycling design
- Can fire large, 3-inch shells
- Pre-installed adjustable iron sights
Cons:
- Powerful recoil
This is a shotgun that points and shoots like a rifle.
2. Remington 870 Classic Trap
The Remington 870 Classic Trap is technically a trap shooting gun, but the 30-inch barrel makes it exceptionally accurate for any application.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 30-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 5-round tube magazine
- Weighs 8.25 pounds
- Walnut stock and furniture
- Basic rib and bead sight
- Includes 3 choke tubes
The Remington 870 Classic Trap is a variant of their classic 870 pump gun. It’s designed with a 30-inch barrel, which gives you as much accuracy as you’re going to get out of any shotgun. It has a 5-round magazine, which accepts 3-inch shells to allow for a reasonably heavy load.
This gun has a solid walnut stock and fore grip, which provides enough heft to reduce recoil. Combine that with the rubberized wood tone butt pad and the long barrel, and you’ve got a 12 gauge gun that kicks like a 20 gauge, if you can manage the length.
The Classic Trap also comes with three Trap Rem choke tubes. From widest to tightest: the Singles, the Mid Handicap, and the Long Handicap. This lets you optimize your range without the need to go out and buy extra chokes. That said, this gun is fairly expensive. But it’s the last turkey gun you’ll ever need to buy.
Pros:
- Tough and reliable
- Very accurate
- Good recoil reduction
- Comes with 3 choke options
Cons:
- Pricey
This shotgun includes 3 chokes, giving you a softball-sized spread at a variety of ranges.
3. Weatherby PA-08 Upland
At 28 inches, the Weatherby PA-08 Upland’s barrel is fairly long for a 20 gauge gun.
Key features:
- 20 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 28-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 7.4 pounds
- Walnut stock and furniture
- Basic rib and bead sight
The Weatherby PA-08 Upland is built for hunting upland game birds, but all that really means is that it’s exceptionally accurate. Its 28-inch barrel is on the long side for a 20 gauge gun, which not only helps you put a grouping right on a turkey’s neck, but also keeps recoil to a minimum despite the relatively light 7 pound, 4 ounce design.
This gun has a walnut stock and furniture. This is impressive in a relatively inexpensive gun, and goes a long way towards putting the PA-08 Upland in the top of its class. It fires long, 3-inch shells, delivering the largest possible load in its bore, and the chrome-lined chamber and receiver cycle as smoothly as an Eric Clapton guitar solo.
The only downside on this gun is the trigger, which is on the heavy side.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Reliable and smooth cycling
- Affordable
Cons:
- Heavy trigger
This 20 gauge gun is one of the most beautiful you’ll find in its price range.
4. Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump
The Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump has a fiber-optic bead sight that’s highly visible even in poor conditions.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 22-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 5-round tube magazine
- Weighs 7.45 pounds
- Polymer Mossy Oak Obsession camo stock and fore grip
- Fiber-optic rib and bead sight
The Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump is a hunting variant of their 320 Security shotgun. Savage extended the barrel from 18 ½ to 22 inches, and added a Mossy Oak Obsession camo stock and fore grip instead of the original tactical black. This is a very reasonably priced shotgun, with a no-nonsense fiber-optic sight that’s easy to see in rain or twilight, and it’s short enough to carry through dense woods.
That said, the relatively short barrel makes for some serious recoil, more in line with what you’d expect from a tactical shotgun than a hunting piece. It’s also not as accurate as longer barrels, so you’ll want to install a choke before you take it out on a turkey shoot.
Pros:
- Small and easy to transport
- Affordable
Cons:
- Relatively short
- Powerful recoil
This compact shotgun is a good choice if you’re going to carrying your gun through brush and other obstructions.
5. Stoeger P3500
The Stoeger P3500 utilizes a rotating bolt for exceptionally smooth cycling.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 26-inch barrel
- 3 ½-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 7 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Basic rib and bead sight
The Stoeger P3500 is designed to be a simple, hard-working shotgun without any extra frills. It features a 26-inch barrel for accuracy and balance, and a basic rib and bead sight that isn’t exactly exciting, but will consistently draw a bead on your turkey’s neck. The action is very smooth for a budget gun, utilizing a Benelli-style rotating bolt that feels like it should cost twice as much.
This gun will accept 3 ½-inch magnum shells if you want to sling as much shot as possible. However, the polymer stock doesn’t provide much recoil resistance, even with the rubber butt pad that absorbs the brunt of the impact. The trigger is also on the heavy side, although that’s more a matter of preference.
Pros:
- Smooth cycling
- Fires large, 3 ½-inch shells
- Affordable
Cons:
- Heavy trigger
- Powerful recoil
This is a no-frills, working man’s gun that will reliable drop gobblers without breaking the bank.
6. Winchester SXP Waterfowl
The Winchester SXP Waterfowl is fully skinned with Realtree Max-5 camo, so the glint of metal won’t give away your position.
Key features:
- 20 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 26-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 6.5 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Realtree Max-5 camo skin
- Fiber-optic rib and bead sight
The Winchester SXP Waterfowl is a pump gun that can fire any 20 gauge shell, including 3-inch magnum shells. It features a 26-inch barrel, which is long enough for accuracy without being overly cumbersome. The rotary bolt cycles smoothly, chambering shell after shell without any dragging or hiccups, and the fiber-optic sight provides good visibility in low light, fog, or rain.
This gun offers plenty of recoil resistance, thanks to the thick butt pad and the relatively long barrel for the bore size. However, the trigger is very heavy, with over 12 pounds of pull. That’s a bit much for snap shooting, but to some extent it’s a matter of personal preference.
Pros:
- Smooth cycling
- Good recoil absorption
- Can fire large, 3-inch shells
Cons:
- Very heavy trigger
This is a powerful, smooth-cycling gun that reliably puts groupings on target.
7. Benelli Nova
The Benelli Nova offers exceptional accuracy and recoil resistance with even the heaviest shells.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 28-inch barrel
- 3 ½-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 8 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Realtree Max-5 camo skin
- Fiber-optic rib and bead sight
- Quick de-chambering button
The Benelli Nova is a 12 gauge shotgun that packs quite a lot into its 8-pound frame. In addition to being able to fire 3 ½-inch magnum shells, it offers a 28-inch barrel. So not only will you be able to fire a powerful load, you’ll be able to put them on target reliably.
This shotgun cycles as smoothly as the best on the market, with Benelli’s buttery rotary bolt system. But what really makes it shine is the quick de-chambering button on the bottom of the chamber. Hold the button in, rack the pump, and you’ll eject the shell from the chamber without chambering the next round. Not only does this allow you to quickly change from one load to another, it lets you make your gun safe without dumping the entire magazine every time you want to change locations.
The only thing we didn’t like about this gun was the forend. It’s sturdy, but the polymer rattles when you move it, which means you’ll have to sit very still in order to stay silent.
Pros:
- Smooth cycling
- Accurate
- Allows for quick load changes
- Good recoil absorption
Cons:
- Noisy forend
This gun’s quick de-chambering button makes it a breeze to switch different types of loads.
8. Mossberg 500 Super Bantam
The Mossberg 500 Super Bantam is a lightweight 20 gauge pump gun that’s as reliable as they come.
Key features:
- 20 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 22-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 6-round tube magazine
- Weighs 6.5 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Mossy Oak Shadowgrass camo skin
- Adjustable fiber-optic sight
- Includes 3 chokes
The Mossberg 500 Super Bantam is designed for youth hunters, with a relatively short pull and relatively good recoil resistance. Because it’s a variant of Mossberg’s venerably 500 shotgun, you can swap the stock out for a full-sized version at a later date, allowing your young hunter’s gun to grow right along with them.
This gun comes with Light Modified, Improved Modified, and Full chokes, which allows for a tight spread at any range, and the adjustable fiber-optic sight means that it aims as easily as any hunting rifle. The fore grip is a bit loose, though, and tends to rattle if you move your gun abruptly.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Good recoil absorption
- Good for smaller hunters
- Fires 3-inch magnum shells
Cons:
- Noisy forend
This gun is a solid choice for youth hunters or for women who prefer a smaller gun.
9. Browning BPS
The Browning BPS is a beefy shotgun with excellent recoil absorption.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Pump action
- 28-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 8.25 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Mossy Oak Shadowgrass camo skin
- Basic rib and bead sight
- Bottom ejection port
The Browning BPS is a 12 gauge shotgun with a long, 28-inch barrel that reliably puts softball-sized groupings on turkey neck-sized targets. It weighs in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, which is heavy enough to stay balanced under recoil, and to reduce recoil to what you’d expect from a 20 gauge.
What attracted us most to the BPS was the bottom ejection port. This is a great feature for left-handed hunters, since it means you won’t be ejecting hot shells right into your own arm. This comes at a relatively steep price, but you won’t be disappointed with what you get.
Pros:
- Ambidextrous design
- Accurate
- Good recoil absorption
Cons:
- Pricey
The bottom ejection port on this shotgun makes it an ideal choice for left-handed hunters.
10. Beretta A400 XCEL
The Beretta A400 XCEL is a 12 gauge shotgun that kicks as gently as a newborn baby.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Semi-automatic
- 30-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 2-round tube magazine
- Weighs 7.7 pounds
- Walnut stock and furniture
- Basic rib and bead sight
- Hydraulic cheek rest and shock absorber
The Beretta A400 XCEL is a semi-automatic shotgun with a pinpoint-accurate 30-inch barrel. The walnut stock is exceptionally well-manufactured, with a hydraulic cheek rest and shock absorber that reduce felt recoil to the gentlest of pushes. It also offers a lightning-fast gas piston system, which allows for faster follow-up shots than any other gun on the market.
That said, this gun isn’t for everybody. It’s expensive, made for hunters who want the very best available and are willing to pay top dollar for it.
Pros:
- Exceptional recoil reduction
- Extreme accuracy
- Quick follow-up shots
Cons:
- Very expensive
The gas piston system on this shotgun allows you to fire three shells in less than a second.
11. Mossberg SA-20 Bantam
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is one of the most affordable semi-automatic shotguns on the market.
Key features:
- 20 gauge bore
- Semi-automatic
- 24-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 5-round tube magazine
- Weighs 5.5 pounds
- Polymer stock and fore grip
- Basic rib and bead sight
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is the youth model of their SA-20 automatic shotgun, and utilizes the same barrel and action. This means that when your teenager grows up, all you’ll need to do is swap the stock for an adult size and they’ll be able to use this shotgun for the rest of their life.
This gun fires a large, 3-inch shell, which is more than enough to bag a gobbler at any reasonable range. It’s also very reasonably priced, comparable to a mid-range pump action. That said, the stock itself is too hollow and lightweight to offer much recoil absorption, and the hard butt pad makes sure you know it.
Pros:
- Good for smaller shooters
- Fires a large, 3-inch shell
- Affordable
Cons:
- Poor recoil absorption
This gun is a good choice for young hunters, or for anyone with a small frame.
12. Franchi Affinity Catalyst
The Franchi Affinity Catalyst features a reliable, easy-to-clean inertia-powered action.
Key features:
- 12 gauge bore
- Semi-automatic
- 28-inch barrel
- 3-inch chamber
- 4-round tube magazine
- Weighs 6.6 pounds
- Walnut stock and furniture
- Dual bead rear sight and bead front sight
- Comes with 3 chokes
In 2016, Franchi released the Affinity Catalyst. This gun is based on research that shows that the average female shotgun hunter is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and has 28-inch arms. This is significantly smaller than the average male shotgun hunter, who’s 5 feet, 9 inches tall and has 33-inch arms. If you’re around the size of an average female hunter, this gun will be perfectly sized for you.
This gun features a reliable, inertia-driven action, which isn’t quite as fast as a gas-operated system, but is more reliable and much easier to clean. It also comes with three different chokes: Improved Cylinder, Modified Cylinder, and Full Choke, so you can swap them out as needed for hunting at different ranges.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Easy to clean
- Designed specifically for women
Cons:
- Pricey
This shotgun is ideally sized for the average female hunter.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, there’s no single turkey hunting shotgun that’s the best choice for all hunters in all situations.
For example, if you’re on a budget, you may need the best turkey gun for the money, not a higher priced premium gun with a bunch of bells and whistles. Conversely, if you’re an experienced hunter looking for their dream gun, those bells and whistles may be exactly the thing you’re looking for.
If you can handle a 12 gauge shotgun with confidence, you’re better off with a bigger gun. On the other hand, hunters with a smaller frame will shoot more accurately and get better results with a 20 gauge turkey gun.
We chose what we think are the 12 best shotguns on the market for bagging a gobbler, and we like to think we covered enough ground to meet everybody’s needs. But even if you decide that gun number 11 is the one you really need, we hope our reviews helped you become a more educated consumer.
The Review
Best Turkey Shotguns
Check out our review of the best turkey shotguns on the market today.
Review Breakdown
- Best Turkey Shotguns
- Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter
- Weatherby PA-08 Upland
- Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump
- Stoeger P3500
- Winchester SXP Waterfowl
- Benelli Nova
- Mossberg 500 Super Bantam
- Browning BPS
- Beretta A400 XCEL
- Mossberg SA-20 Bantam
- Franchi Affinity Catalyst
Best Turkey Shotguns DEALS
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