Finest Turkey Shotguns for 2022

After years of getting greater, turkey shotguns are actually shrinking as small-gauge choices appeal to curiosity amongst hunters. When you can nonetheless discover new 3½-inch 12-gauges decked out for the spring woods, they’re now joined with an increasing number of 20s and .410s, which simply means further choices for you. You’ll be able to credit score TSS ammo and improved lead hundreds like 20-gauge Winchester Lengthy Beard for the swap, and it may also be true that extra hunters notice the actual enjoyable of turkey searching is bringing birds in shut. Small-gauge weapons slot in completely with that searching philosophy, and so they’re straightforward to hold and deal with, and lots much less of a chore to sample, too. Beneath are the very best new turkey weapons from 2022, in addition to the highest fashions from final yr, that are all nonetheless provided and stay nice choices with the most recent options. Additionally, 2021 was the yr of the sub-gauge turkey gun, together with three fashions that come 20 and two in .410.

This yr, Weatherby provides yet another sub-gauge choice in an reasonably priced new inertia semiauto out there in 12 or 20. In any other case, 2023 leans again towards the large gun. So in order for you the additional punch and attain of a 12, there’s a lot to select from—together with an surprising providing from Sauer—on this record of the very best turkey shotguns.

The Finest Turkey Shotguns: Critiques & Suggestions

Key Options

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel Size: 26″, 28″
• Weight: 7 lbs, 7.2 lbs

Professionals

• Rubber grip panels
• Inflex recoil pad
• Versatile for multi-species hunts

Cons

Browning gives a restricted run of its wonderful and soft-shooting Maxus II gasoline gun with a 26-inch barrel, prolonged choke, Picatinny rail and Mossy Oak Bottomland camo.  The artificial inventory options each rubber grip panels and a delicate comb insert together with an Inflex buttpad, all of which can allow you to endure pre-season patterning classes.  At round 7 kilos, the Maxus is mild sufficient to tote by way of the woods, however hefty sufficient for severe wingshooting, too. Take away the rail within the fall and you may hunt birds and geese with this gun, too, which helps you rationalize the worth tag.

Key Options

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel Size: 18.5″, 24″
• Weight: 7.25 lbs or 7.5 lbs

Professionals

• Corrosion-resistant elements
• Adjustable inventory
• Enlarged bolt handles

Cons

Mossberg because it extends its 940 Professional sequence with a pair of devoted 3-inch 12 gauge gobbler weapons. The 940 improves on the 930 with upgraded gasoline system elements, corrosion-resistant internals, and chrome steel return spring. Each weapons characteristic cuts within the receiver for a RMR-footprint reflex sight and a canopy must you select to not mount one. The shares alter with spacers to as brief as 13 inches.  Each weapons characteristic enlarged bolt handles and nearer buttons, artificial shares and are coated in Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo. One has a 24-inch barrel, often a size conducive to raised patterns, whereas the opposite is available in at a compact 18 ½ inches, very best for carrying and shut quarters.

Key Options

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel Size: 18.5″
• Weight: 7 lbs

Professionals

• Light-weight and straightforward to hold
• Pistol grip
• Prolonged turkey choke included

Cons

German gunmaker Sauer dates to the 18^th century, however there may be nothing old school or conventional in regards to the SL5 turkey gun. Sauer partnered with Bruno Civolani, inventor of the inertia system, on a lineup of inertia semiauto shotguns that now features a turkey mannequin. The weapons have barrels bobbed again to the 18½-inch authorized minimal to make them straightforward to hold by way of the woods and deal with within the brush. The barrels have a fiber-optic bead and the receivers include Picatinny rail put in. The pistol-gripped artificial inventory is available in your alternative of three completely different Mossy Oak patterns. The three choke tubes that include the gun embody an prolonged Carlson turkey choke.

Key Options

• Gauge: 12, 20
• Barrel Size: 22″
• Weight: 6.2 lbs

Professionals

• Light-weight
• Rubber grip panels
• A number of gauges

Cons

Inertia semiautos are mild, which makes them straightforward to hold by way of the spring woods. They kick greater than heavier weapons and gasoline weapons, however who cares when you might solely shoot as soon as all spring? The Turkish-made Aspect comes dressed for the woods with a bobbed 22-inch barrel and a coat of authentic Mossy Oak Bottomland camo. It options sling swivel studs and rubber grip panels within the inventory and forend. Weatherby has been sourcing weapons from abroad makers for the reason that 50s and so they how one can choose their companions: the Aspect is an efficient gun, and now it’s even higher in order for you a turkey gun.  

Key Options

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel Size: 24″
• Weight: 6.78 lbs

Professionals

• Light-weight
• Turkey choke included
• Pre-drilled and tapped for optics

Cons

• Single-shot
• Stronger recoil

Turkey searching–completed proper–is a one-shot sport, and it’s good to see a single shot represented amongst this yr’s weapons. Break-action single-shots are each mild and compact, that are good traits in a gobbler gun, and Henry’s new Single-Shot is woods-ready with a coat of Mossy Oak Obsession, iron sights, a barrel drilled and tapped for an optics, and a turkey choke. It has a 24-inch barrel and weighs simply 6¾ kilos. You’ll really feel this gun go off in case you shoot it with a 3½-inch load, however you’ll hardly comprehend it’s there once you’ve bought it slung over your shoulder. 

Key Options

• Gauge: 20
• Barrel Size: 22″
• Weight: 6.5 lbs

Professionals

• Light-weight
• Simple to level and swing
• Pre-drilled for optics

Cons

A well-made Turkish inertia gun that has come on sturdy within the brief time it’s been out there within the U.S., the Retay Masai Mara is available in a brand new 20-gauge turkey mannequin out there in a number of camo patterns. It has a 22-inch vent-ribbed barrel and a receiver drilled and tapped for the equipped Picatinny rail if you wish to mount an optic. The Masai Mara includes a bolt designed to put off the out-of-battery misfire that happens with inertia weapons now and again, and is particularly irritating when it occurs within the spring woods.

Key Options

• Gauge: 12, 20
• Barrel Size: 22″
• Weight: 7.6 lbs

Professionals

• Inexpensive
• Turkey choke included
• Thumbhole design for higher grip

Cons

Modeled after Winchester’s Mannequin 1300/SXP, the Savage 320 is a Chinese language-made pump that sells for a really low value that may put a devoted 3-inch 12- or 20-gauge turkey gun within the arms of virtually anybody. The 22-inch barrel comes with a turkey choke and adjustable fiber-optic sights clamped to a vent rib. The drab-green artificial inventory includes a hybrid thumbhole design that’s extremely sensible for turkey searching. 

Key Options

• Gauge: 12, 20
• Barrel Size: 24″
• Weight: 7.2 lbs, 6.5 lbs

Professionals

• Comfy pistol grip
• Adjustable sights
• Pre-drilled and tapped for optics

Cons

The Franchi Affinity has grow to be fairly fashionable amongst upland hunters and waterfowlers who roughly need to shoot a Benelli with out paying Benelli costs. Now, turkey hunters can purchase a light-weight, dependable Franchi inertia gun made expressly for the spring woods. The Affinity Turkey and Turkey Elite shotguns characteristic a really snug pistol grip, camo end, and a 24-inch barrel with a turkey choke and adjustable rear and hooded entrance sights. They’re additionally drilled and tapped for an optic. The Turkey is available in 3-inch 12- and 20-gauge, in addition to a 3½-inch 12 with a alternative of camo patterns. The Turkey Elite is available in 3-inch 12- or 20-gauge with camo and Cerakote. 

Key Options

• Gauge: .410
• Barrel Size: 26″
• Weight: 6.5 lbs

Professionals

• Little recoil
• Light-weight
• Bottomland camo

Cons

Mossberg’s imported .410 gasoline gun makes up right into a neat turkey model for these desirous to strive taking pictures massive birds with small bores. An affordable gun about which you rarely hear a discouraging phrase, the SA-410 Turkey was a mid-year introduction in 2020, so it missed its first flip within the turkey woods, not now it’s prepared for its closeup. Dipped in old-school authentic Bottomland, it includes a rib-mounted ghost ring sight, a Picatinny rail, and a 26-inch barrel with an prolonged turkey choke. 

Key Options

• Gauge: 12, 20, .410
• Barrel Size: 24″
• Weight: 6.8 lbs, 6.3 lbs, 6lbs

Professionals

• Light-weight
• Three completely different gauges
• Comfy pistol grip

Cons

The Tri Star Viper G2 Turkey is available in 12, 20, and .410 variations for hunters who need to shoot a light-weight semiauto. The 12 weighs simply 6.8 kilos, the 20 6.3, and the .410 6 kilos even. The tactical-style pistol grip is extraordinarily snug to hold on to once you’re seated in opposition to a tree, and the gun has a Picatinny rail for mounting an optic. The 24-inch barrels are the correct size to shoot good patterns with excessive greenback TSS hundreds by way of the gun’s XX Full turkey choke.