Wes Littlefield 03.20.25
After I’m headed into the woods chasing turkeys within the spring or fall, I need to know that I possess one of the best instruments to present an Ole ’Tom turkey a dust nap. I would like camo that makes me disappear, calls and decoys to make ’em consider a hen is able to mate, and one of the best turkey shotguns to place ’em down after they come into vary. I’ve hunted with many shotguns, spoken with different turkey hunters, and browse critiques to assist me decide the highest 5 finest turkey shotguns.
Turkey Looking Protection on AllOutdoor
5 Greatest Turkey Shotguns
Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey Efficiency Store – Greatest Total
Specs
- Gauge: 12-gauge
- Barrel Size: 24”
- Grip: Pistol Grip
- Motion: Semi-Auto
- Chamber: 3 ½”
- End: Mossy Oak BottomLand
Professionals
- Trusted model
- Makes use of the newest firearms applied sciences
- Designed for turkey searching
- Comes with Burris FastFire sight
Cons
- Costly
- Semi-auto isn’t the primary selection of many turkey hunters
- Has heavier felt recoil
Why I Selected It
For years, Benelli has been thought-about one of many prime searching shotgun producers, and the Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey Efficiency Store is not any exception. This top-of-the-line turkey gun, designed for turkey hunters, options all the newest applied sciences developed by Benelli. The Inertia-Pushed System is clear, dependable, and doesn’t require changes to make sure reliability, however you’ll discover it has a little bit extra recoil than a gas-driven system. So, in the event you’re recoil-sensitive, you’ll most likely need to select one other shotgun from this record.
One in every of Benelli’s newest developments is the Crio System. This technique relieves the stresses brought on by hammer forging, making the barrel and chokes smoother and extra uniform. Thus, these Benelli chokes and barrels create a uniform shot sample and keep cleaner longer. The SBE3 Turkey was designed for the turkey woods. It has a pistol grip, a 24” ported barrel and is wrapped in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo. The pistol grip and ported barrel enable you handle the elevated recoil of turkey load, and Mossy Oak Bottomland ensures you’ll mix into most environments. Nevertheless, simply because the Benelli SBE3 is one of the best general doesn’t imply it’s flawless.
My largest frustration with the Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey is its price ticket. I’ve problem justifying spending hundreds of {dollars} on a shotgun that I take advantage of just one or two months out of the 12 months. I additionally know many turkey hunters preferring a pump-action shotgun as a substitute of a semi-auto; that’s extra of a private selection, as I’ve killed turkeys with each. The Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey Efficiency Store is your best option for critical turkey hunters as a result of it takes benefit of the newest firearms applied sciences by a trusted model. So long as you’re keen to spend the cash, you gained’t be disenchanted with this turkey shotgun.
Winchester SX4 Lengthy Beard – Runner-Up
Specs
- Gauge: 12-gauge
- Barrel Size: 24”
- Grip: Pistol grip
- Motion: Semi-auto
- Chamber: 3 ½”
- End: Mossy Oak Obsession
Professionals
- Trusted model
- Fairly priced
- Designed for turkey searching
Cons
- Many turkey hunters choose pump-action over semi-automatic
Why I Selected It
I’ve been a fan of the Winchester SX4 after searching with a buddy’s gun. It match me like a glove, and I beloved almost the whole lot about it. The Winchester SX4 Lengthy Beard was designed for turkey searching with a pistol, Mossy Oak Obsession end, and drop-out set off group. The self-adjusting Lively Valve Fuel System ensures dependable biking if it is advisable to take a follow-up shot (I’ve been there, too). I really like the drop-out set off group as a result of it makes cleansing your shotgun quite simple, even within the woods, if some particles will get in.
The largest draw back is that almost all turkey hunters nonetheless choose a pump-action shotgun to a semi-auto. It’s not a deal breaker for me, however I do know nostalgia is why many individuals hunt. If you’re not trying to spend hundreds of {dollars} on a high-end turkey searching shotgun, then the Winchester SX4 Lengthy Beard is the right choice to carry to the woods this season.
Mossberg 500 Turkey – Funds-Pleasant
Specs
- Gauge: 12-guage
- Barrel Size: 20”
- Motion: Pump-action
- Chamber: 3”
- End: Mossy Oak Obsession
Professionals
- Cheap
- Trusted model
- Security location
Cons
- Not the smoothest pump-action
- Common shotgun with camo and a turkey choke
Why I Selected It
The Mossberg 500 is among the most prolifically offered firearms as a result of it’s cheap however dependable. In the event you’re turkey searching on a funds, the Mossberg 500 Turkey is the shotgun for you. Mossberg is a trusted producer by numerous hunters and shooters as a result of it’s confirmed efficient on the vary and area. The protection place is a uniquely Mossberg function I really like as a result of it’s simple to see and function with little motion. It takes a while to get used to in the event you’re accustomed to a standard shotgun security, so you’ll want to follow earlier than heading to the woods.
Nevertheless, for the reason that Mossberg 500 is cheap, I need to admit it has some drawbacks. The primary is the roughness of the motion. All of the Mossberg 500s I’ve fired have been a little bit tough (gritty feeling) in comparison with the higher-end pump-actions I’ve fired, however nonetheless cycled nicely. The opposite draw back is that Mossberg coated the unique 500 in a turkey camo sample and added a turkey-extended choke to make it a turkey shotgun. It’s not explicitly designed for turkey searching, however it will get the job accomplished. Nonetheless, the Mossberg 500 Turkey is the right selection for turkey hunters on a decent funds as a result of it’s dependable and cheap.
Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator – Honorable Point out
Specs
- Gauge: 12-gauge
- Barrel Size: 20”
- Motion: Pump-action
- Chamber: 3 ½”
- End: Patriot Brown Cerakote and Kryptek Obskura Transitiional
Professionals
- Versatile, but designed for turkey searching
- Trusted by hunters for generations
Cons
- Dangerous press over the past couple of a long time
- Tough to seek out
Why I Selected It
The Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator is value mentioning as a result of hunters have used the Remington 870 for many years to reap Tom’s and different fowl efficiently. An outdated 870 was what I harvested my first turkey with in highschool. The 870 is among the most versatile shotguns on the planet, however the 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum was designed for turkey and predator searching. It has a ShurShot pistol grip inventory and SuperCell recoil pad to assist scale back felt recoil and muzzle carry.
Nevertheless, Remington remains to be making an attempt to get better from disappointing clients in current a long time with lower-quality firearms (together with the 870 at occasions). It does appear that RemArms is making a comeback and producing higher merchandise. One other draw back is that this shotgun is tough to seek out, so I didn’t need to record it as one of the best general. In the event you discover one, the Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator is nicely value taking to the woods this spring or fall in pursuit of a Tom.
Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey – Honorable Point out
Specs
- Gauge: 12-gauge
- Barrel Size: 24”
- Motion: Semi-auto
- Chamber: 3 ½”
- End: Mossy Oak Overwatch
Professionals
- Fairly priced
- Designed for turkey searching*
- Optic prepared
Cons
- Barely heavier felt recoil
Why I Selected It
The Stoeger M3500 has been on my radar after I’ve had a number of buddies rant and rave about how a lot they love theirs. I’m impressed with the Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey shotgun as a result of it’s fairly priced and designed for turkey (and predator searching). The M3500 is optic-ready, so you possibly can shortly mount your favourite earlier than heading to the woods. The ported barrel and pistol grip enable you keep on track, simply in case you want a follow-up shot. It additionally comes with two MOJO prolonged chokes (one for predator searching and the opposite for turkey searching).
The largest downside is the marginally heavier felt recoil from the Inertia Pushed System, however that’s to be anticipated when firing turkey hundreds from a semi-auto inertia shotgun. Don’t be afraid to strive the Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey if it catches your eye. I do know my buddies nonetheless love searching with theirs.
Parting Photographs
Heading to the turkey woods with one of the best turkey shotgun this season will solely enhance your confidence and certain result in you filling your tag quicker than you ever thought doable (inside authorized motive). Whereas I’m an enormous fan of the turkey searching shotguns listed above, I didn’t have time or room to record each single one, so you’ll want to let me know what you assume are one of the best turkey shotguns within the feedback.
