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. Gun makers added pistol grips for a more rifle-like shooting experience and many turkey guns have receivers that are drilled and tapped for optics. They all come with chokes designed specifically for printing tight, gobbler-killing patterns.
There are as many variations of a turkey hunting gun as there are versions of turkey hunting styles. There are hefty, long range guns for hunters who want to sit in a blind and kill turkeys beyond 50 yards. Alternatively, there are compact, maneuverable guns for private-land hunters who want to crawl their way through the season, reaping turkeys at close range. And there are classic pump shotguns for traditionalists who believe the only way to kill a turkey is in the woods with your back resting against a tree. So our team of editors put together a list of the best turkey shotguns for all the different styles of turkey hunting and types of turkey hunters. Over the years we’ve hunted with most of these guns and we’ve extensively shot all the product lines mentioned here.
Turkey hunting requires specialized equipment, especially when it comes to choosing the right shotgun. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming trying to select the perfect turkey gun. In this article, we’ll walk through the key considerations and provide recommendations to help you pick the ideal firearm for bagging spring gobblers.
Gauge
The most common turkey hunting gauges are 12, 20, and 28 gauge.
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12 gauge – This is the most popular option and provides versatility, power and ammunition availability. 12 gauges handle heavy payloads well and are effective at longer ranges of 40+ yards. They do have more recoil than smaller gauges.
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20 gauge – Ideal for hunters who favor a lighter gun with less kick, 20 gauges work great out to 40 yards with modern turkey loads, They are also well-suited for smaller-framed hunters
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28 gauge – The lightest practical turkey hunting gauge Great for use in dense woods and shots under 30 yards Recoil is very mild. Keep in mind ammunition selection is more limited.
I’d recommend most hunters start with a 12 or 20 gauge. 28 gauge is best suited for experienced hunters who can reliably call birds in close.
Barrel Length
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22-24 inches – The ideal barrel length for a dedicated turkey gun. Shorter barrels are lighter, quick to maneuver, and ideal for tight shooting situations.
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26-28 inches – A good medium length for an all-purpose shotgun also used for turkeys. Provides a bit more swing weight for other types of hunting.
Avoid barrels over 28 inches for turkey hunting. The extra length just adds weight without improving performance.
Action Type
Pump, semi-auto, or double barrel shotguns can all be effective for turkeys. Consider how quickly you need follow up shots and your budget.
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Pump – Reliable and affordable. Allows a follow up shot faster than a double barrel. Mossberg and Remington make great pump turkey guns.
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Semi-Auto – Reduced recoil and super fast follow up shots. Benelli and Beretta semi-autos are excellent turkey options.
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Double Barrel – Classy and simple. Provides two choke options. Follow up shots are slower. Great budget choice.
Sights
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Fiber optic – Inexpensive and easy to see. Red or green beads are ideal.
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Red dot – Provides fast target acquisition and accuracy. Requires mounting a rail.
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Bead – Simple and effective. Non-glare brass or gold options blend into background.
I always recommend upgrading from a single bead to a more precise fiber optic or red dot setup. The extra confidence of having a bright aiming point is worth the small investment.
Extra Features
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Sling studs – A must to keep your hands free for calling.
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Pistol grip – Helpful for shooting from odd positions. Allows more versatility.
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Camo/finishes – Help the gun blend into spring backgrounds. Durable finishes like Cerakote protect your investment.
While not required, features like pistol grips and camo finishes enhance the hunting experience and are nice if within budget.
Top Turkey Shotgun Recommendations
Here are my personal top picks for outstanding turkey shotguns:
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Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (12 or 20 gauge) – Reliable inertia driven system. Comfortable stocks and recoil reduction. Models come in turkey-specific camo finishes.
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Winchester SX4 (12 or 20 gauge) – Great value semi-auto with light recoil. Available with composite and camo stocks. Fast follow up shots.
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Mossberg 500 Pump (12, 20 gauge) – Affordable and reliable. Many turkey specific accessories available. Huge aftermarket support.
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Stoeger P350 (12 or 20 gauge) – Budget inertia driven semi-auto. Easy to add accessories like sights. Great introductory turkey option.
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CZ 1012 (12 or 20 gauge) – Highly underrated Turkish double barrel. Beautiful walnut stock options. Great balance and value.
Best 20 Gauge: Benelli M2 Performance Shop
- Light
- Ready to hunt with out of the box
- Promises high-end patterning performance
- Custom work by Rob Roberts
- Includes Burris FastFire Red Dot
- Extended Extra Full Turkey Choke
- 3-inch chamber
- Barrel length: 24 inches
- Weight: 5.7 pounds
- Overall Length: 45.3 inches
- Mossy Oak bottomland camo
With the popularization of TSS turkey loads, a lot of the hardest of hardcore turkey hunters are switching to 20 gauges. They are generally more maneuverable, lighter to carry, and don’t give up much patterning performance inside 50 yards. If this sounds appealing to you, the most tricked out 20-gauge turkey gun you’ll find is Benelli’s M2 Performance Shop.
This is essentially a custom shotgun that has undergone performance enhancements by Rob Roberts and a RR turkey choke. Each gun is pattern tested with Federal ammo. The shotgun comes with a Burris FastFire—a very good red dot for turkey hunting—already mounted to the receiver. At 5.7 pounds this shotgun will be a dream to carry in the woods. In other words, if you want the ideal turkey gun without having to build it yourself, the M2 performance shop is for you. But you’re going to have to pay handsomely for it. The MSRP is $2,949. Read the full M2 Performance Shop review here. —Scott Einsmann
Best Affordable Semi-Auto Turkey Gun: Retay Gordion Turkey
- Excellent patterning
- Includes rail for mounting optics
- Affordable
- Does not include a turkey-specific choke
- Capacity: 4+1
- Gauge: 12 and 20 (tested)
- Weight: 6 pounds, 8 ounces
- Trigger: 3 pounds, 3 ounces (measured)
- Overall Length: 43.5 inches
- Barrel Length: 22 inches (20 gauge)
- Deep-bore-drilled barrel
- Choke: Interchangeable MaraPro chokes C, IC, M, IM, F
- Camo: Mossy Oak Bottomland, Mossy Oak Obsession, Realtree Timber, Realtree Timber
- Price: $949
The first thing to know about this affordable, Turkish-made, inertia driven semi-auto is that it patterns exceptionally well. I tested the 20-gauge version of the gun and shot two different turkey loads, three patterns each at 40 yards. I shot Hevi Shot Hevi 18 in both No. 7 and No. 9 pellet sizes. For data, I counted the number of pellet strikes inside a 10-inch diameter circle over the core of the pattern (as is the standard for evaluating turkey patterns). I then averaged the total number of pellet strikes inside the 10-inch circle for each load. See the data below.
| Shotshell | Payload | 40 YD Pattern Av | Percentage in 10” Cir. |
| Hevi 18 No. 9 | 1 1/2 oz | 239 | 44% |
| Hevi 18 No. 7 | 1 1/2 oz | 107 | 38% |
To put the Gordion’s 40-yard performance in context, it patterned as well as the 12-gauge shotguns that we used in our review of the best turkey loads. It’s important to note that the 12-gauge loads in that test were packed with 2-ounce payloads (or heavier). It also patterned about as well as the Benelli M2 20-gauge, which costs more than twice as much. Retay attributes the excellent patterning performance to their process of deep-bore drilling their barrels, which you can read about in my full review of the Retay Gordion Turkey.
I was shooting these patterns with a factory full choke, which was technically not rated for TSS. This leads us to the one real criticism I have for the Gordion Turkey: Retay does not supply a turkey choke with this turkey gun. It comes with five chokes, ranging from improved cylinder to full, but the IM and F chokes are not rated for TSS (or steel) according to Retay. So, if you want to shoot TSS (and go by the book) you must either run the Modified choke or buy an aftermarket choke. Both Jebs and Carlson’s offer turkey chokes that fit the Retay Marapro choke system in this gun.
I ended up shooting three longbeards with the Retay Gordion Turkey during the 2024 season at ranges from about 25 yards out to 50 yards. I found the gun to be handy and maneuverable in the field. I love the rubbery pistol grip, the slim forend, and the Bottomland camo. I never had a single issue with it loading or feeding in the field. Knowing how well it patterned, I felt very confident taking shots out to 50 yards (and a bit further if necessary). In short, the Retay Gordion has become my go-to turkey hunting shotgun. ——Alex Robinson
TURKEY SHOTGUN SETUPS 2021! Michael Waddell
FAQ
What kind of gun do you use to turkey hunt?
To hunt wild turkeys in most terrains, you will need basic gear. In most states, choices for method of take for turkeys are shotgun, muzzleloader or bow. Thanks to modern turkey loads and turkey chokes, both 12 and 20 gauge do a good job at taking down a turkey.
What is the best caliber for turkey hunting?
A 12 gauge with 3” magnum turkey specific loads is the most popular choice. You can bag a turkey with a 20 gauge or 410 but you’re going to have to get up close and personal to do so. Turkeys aren’t dumb birds and the range you get from a 12 gauge is going to be beneficial to you when hunting them.
What is the best size shot to use for turkey hunting?
When hunting early season with little green-up, open areas or simply looking to put as many projectiles into the air, No. 6s are ideal. More guns pattern the smaller shot better and out to typical turkey killing ranges, the high pellet count can literally swarm a turkey’s vitals with a combined abundance of energy.