Wes Littlefield 02.26.26
Once I’m headed into the woods chasing turkeys within the spring or fall, I need to know that I possess the very best instruments to offer an Ole ’Tom turkey a mud nap. I would like camo that makes me disappear, calls and decoys to make ’em imagine a hen is able to mate, and the very best turkey shotguns to place ’em down after they come into vary. I’ve hunted with many shotguns, spoken with different turkey hunters, and skim opinions to assist me decide the highest 5 finest turkey shotguns.
Turkey Searching Protection on AllOutdoor
5 Greatest Turkey Shotguns
Benelli Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey Efficiency Store – Greatest General
Specs
Gauge: 12-gaugeBarrel Size: 24”Grip: Pistol GripMotion: Semi-AutoChamber: 3 ½”End: Mossy Oak BottomLand
Professionals
Trusted modelMakes use of the newest firearms applied sciencesDesigned for turkey searchingComes with Burris FastFire sight
Cons
CostlySemi-auto isn’t the primary selection of many turkey huntersHas heavier felt recoil
Why I Selected It
For years, Benelli has been thought of one of many high searching shotgun producers, and the Tremendous Black Eagle 3 Turkey Efficiency Store isn’t 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 slightly extra recoil than a gas-driven system. So, in the event you’re recoil-sensitive, you’ll in all probability need to select one other shotgun from this listing.
One among Benelli’s newest developments is the Crio System. This method 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 provide help to 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 the very best total 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 exploit just one or two months out of the yr. 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 severe 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 received’t be disillusioned with this turkey shotgun.
Winchester SX4 Lengthy Beard – Runner-Up
Specs
Gauge: 12-gaugeBarrel Size: 24”Grip: Pistol gripMotion: Semi-autoChamber: 3 ½”End: Mossy Oak Obsession
Professionals
Trusted modelFairly pricedDesigned for turkey searching
Cons
Many turkey hunters favor 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 all the things 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’s worthwhile to take a follow-up shot (I’ve been there, too). I 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 the majority turkey hunters nonetheless favor 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 convey to the woods this season.
Mossberg 500 Turkey – Finances-Pleasant
Specs
Gauge: 12-guageBarrel Size: 20”Motion: Pump-actionChamber: 3”End: Mossy Oak Obsession
Professionals
CheapTrusted modelSecurity location
Cons
Not the smoothest pump-actionCommon shotgun with camo and a turkey choke
Why I Selected It
The Mossberg 500 is likely one of the most prolifically bought firearms as a result of it’s cheap however dependable. If you happen to’re turkey searching on a price range, 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 characteristic I 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 conventional shotgun security, so you’ll want to apply earlier than heading to the woods.
Nevertheless, because the Mossberg 500 is cheap, I have to admit it has some drawbacks. The primary is the roughness of the motion. All of the Mossberg 500s I’ve fired have been slightly tough (gritty feeling) in comparison with the higher-end pump-actions I’ve fired, however nonetheless cycled properly. 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, but it surely will get the job achieved. Nonetheless, the Mossberg 500 Turkey is the right selection for turkey hunters on a good price range as a result of it’s dependable and cheap.
Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator – Honorable Point out
Specs
Gauge: 12-gaugeBarrel Size: 20”Motion: Pump-actionChamber: 3 ½”End: Patriot Brown Cerakote and Kryptek Obskura Transitiional
Professionals
Versatile, but designed for turkey searchingTrusted by hunters for generations
Cons
Unhealthy press during the last couple of many yearsTroublesome to seek out
Why I Selected It
The Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator is price 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 likely one of 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 elevate.
Nevertheless, Remington continues to be attempting to get well from disappointing clients in current many years with lower-quality firearms (together with the 870 at instances). 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 listing it as the very best total. If you happen to discover one, the Remington 870 SPS Tremendous Magnum Turkey/Predator is properly price taking to the woods this spring or fall in pursuit of a Tom.
Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey – Honorable Point out
Specs
Gauge: 12-gaugeBarrel Size: 24”Motion: Semi-autoChamber: 3 ½” End: Mossy Oak Overwatch
Professionals
Fairly pricedDesigned 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’ll be able to rapidly mount your favourite earlier than heading to the woods. The ported barrel and pistol grip provide help to 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 masses from a semi-auto inertia shotgun. Don’t be afraid to attempt 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 the very best turkey shotgun this season will solely increase your confidence and certain result in you filling your tag quicker than you ever thought doable (inside authorized purpose). Whereas I’m a giant fan of the turkey searching shotguns listed above, I didn’t have time or room to listing each single one, so you’ll want to let me know what you suppose are the very best turkey shotguns within the feedback.
