With some turkey seasons already in full swing, it's time to look at that old gobbler-getter and see the best that 2025 has to offer to today's turkey hunters. (Shutterstock photo)
March 17, 2025
By Alan Clemons
Turkey shotguns are merely tools to achieve a singular purpose: zeroing in on a sex-crazed gobbler to propel a load of ouchie pellets that will give him a permanent dirt nap. That’s it. No matter what the construction—wood, synthetic, metal, combo—or other additions, features or designs, the bottom line is that the best turkey hunting shotguns are longbeard killing machines.
That said, it helps to have some nice features. Who doesn’t love a lightweight scattergun that has minimal recoil, relatively speaking, with turkey ammo? Or the capability of handling a red-dot optic, should you be in that camp. If not, a vent rib and front-back “old school” sights get the job done. Truly old-school killas might tote a scarred pipe with no front bead and hammer birds with regularity.
My first attempt at killing a turkey was 30 years ago, a pup’s age compared to some I know. My shotgun was a Smith & Wesson-branded pump with a fixed improved cylinder choke. I knew nothing about full chokes, turkey ammo or anything. The two brothers I hunted with in southwest Alabama stomped and cussed after the gobbler they called up flew away cleanly. One spat out, “Improved?!?! You might as well have been throwin’ sand at it!”
Since then, I’ve made more mistakes. I’ve also killed a few birds. Having a shotgun with the right choke and ammo? Never again made the mistake of that first hunt. I have several shotguns now that offer sweet dream dirt naps to any gobbler that wants one. If you’re looking for a similar springtime buddy, here are some suggestions.
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Mossberg Options Photo courtesy of Mossberg Mossberg offers three options for turkey hunters, and all are top-notch, starting with the 940 Pro Turkey Holosun . This head-smashing 12-gauge has an 18.5-inch barrel topped with a Holosun HS407K micro red-dot optic, with a 6-MOA reticle, up to 50,000 hours of battery life, Shake Awake tech that’s easy to use. The 940 Pro is beefy and feels good in the hand or when shouldered and sports Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo with a Cerakote Patriot Brown barrel. If you don’t want that much, the venerable Mossberg 935 semi-auto is legendary with beard-chasers, as is the 835 pump for those who prefer to shoot and shuck. All have top Mossberg features, camo or plain finishes, and are tougher than mesquite fenceposts in the Texas heat.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Photo courtesy of Benelli Hunters have loved the SBE since its introduction, and turkey hunters now with the SBE 3 will find features designed for the spring woods. Among them are a low-glare, ported barrel with a fiber-optic bead, camouflaged all-weather stock with a textured pistol grip and a Burris FastFire sight. What else? Performance-boosting enhancements from Rob Roberts. Each gun is pattern-tested with Federal Premium Ammunition before delivery, with computer printouts available for 10-, 20- and 30-inch circles. This model is available only in 12-gauge and handles 2¾-, 3- and 3½-inch shells.
Franchi Affinity 3 Turkey Elite Photo courtesy of Franchi Franchi engineers took feedback from hunters and upgraded its popular Affinity 3 into the Turkey Elite . The shotgun has a 24-inch barrel, Steadygrip stock, and oversized bolt handle and bolt release button for easier use while wearing gloves. The loading port has been enlarged, too, for easier loading. It has an Optifade Subalpine camo pattern and Midnight Bronze Cerakote finish on the receiver and barrel. The forcing cone has been extended, and it comes with a Rhino extended turkey choke for tight patterns.
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Stoeger 3000, 3020 Photo courtesy of Stoeger Industries Two options from Stoeger are the head-smashing M3000 and M3020 20-gauge shotguns, both with the turkey goods this season. They have 22-inch, optic-ready barrels with Hi-Viz beads, extended X-Full turkey chokes and Mossy Oak Bottomland camo. The 12-gauge is cut to take RMR or Burris sights, while the 20-gauge has a Pic rail.
Remington 870 SPS Photo courtesy of Remington Arms Big Green has been on the shoulders of turkey hunters for seven decades. The venerable 870 SPS 12-gauge pump handles 3-inch magnum ammo, comes with the Truglo Headbanger choke tube and wears Kryptek Obskura Transitional camo on its stock and forend. Barrel and action have a Patriot Brown Cerakote finish for durability. It has a 21-inch vent barrel, shoots 2 ¾- and 3-inch shells, and the improved twin action bars prevent binding and twisting for better cycling.
Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey Photo courtesy of Beretta The new Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey is available in 12- and 20-gauge, with a 24-inch barrel and Extended Beretta Mobile Choke. It has enlarged controls, an enhanced loading port, mid-bead and high-visibility front sight, and a seven-position Picatinny rail for optics. It’s available in Mossy Oak Bottomland.
Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey Photo courtesy of Browning With Browning’s Cynergy Ultimate Turkey over/under shotgun, its two-barrel design allows you to switch from an extra full pattern to a more open, spreader choke with a simple flick of the barrel selector switch. Features include an adjustable comb and adjustable length of pull, five choke tubes including extended Ultimate Fall Turkey and Spreader, Marble Arms Bullseye rear sight, fiber-optic front sight, and a short Pic rail for optics.
Weatherby Element Photo courtesy of Weatherby The Element Turkey sports a 22-inch barrel, great for tight spaces such as ground blinds, and handles modern 2 ¾- and 3-inch magnum loads. Its extended full choke is fluted for tool-free removal and installation. The Element features front and rear QD sling studs, a light-gathering, fiber-optic front sight and rubberized grip panels for better grip.
Tristar Viper G2
Photo courtesy of Tristar Arms Value-priced and tough, the Viper G2 has a Mossy Oak camo stock and forend, bronzed action and barrel, and a pistol grip for better control at the critical moment. It is available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge along with .410 bore, with a weight of 6 to 6.8 pounds depending on gauge. Available chokes include Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full and Turkey Extended.
Retay Gordion Photo courtesy of Retay USA With 12- and 20-gauge options, the Retay Gordion is a solid option with features turkey hunters appreciate. It has a pistol grip, raised Pic rail for an optic, 24-inch barrel and wears Mossy Oak New Bottomland or Obsession and Realtree Timber patterns. The shotguns are available in either 26- or 28-inch barrels, and the 20-gauge versions can be had in a compact design.
ATA Arms NeoX Photo courtesy of ATA Arms ATA Arms NeoX is an inertia-driven shotgun with rubber inlays, a larger bolt handle and expanded loading port. It has a 28-inch barrel with Realtree Max-7 camo finish, a synthetic stock and wide magazine loading port. It comes with a red fiber-optic front sight and brass mid-bead.
ATA Arms CY Super Magnum
Photo courtesy of ATA Arms Gear up for spring with the ATA Arms CY Super Magnum gas-operated 12 gauge, which has an alloy receiver and durable chrome lining. It has a 4+1 shot capacity, brass bead front sight and Realtree Max-5 camo. Three chokes and a choke wrench are included for year-round versatility.
Ithaca Model 37 Turkey Slayer Photo courtesy of Ithaca Gun Company If you prefer a pump shotgun for hardcore outings, the Ithaca Model 37 Turkey Slayer might just be your huckleberry. This five-shot shell-shucker is available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge, with wood or synthetic options. It has an adjustable rear buckhorn site and front fiber optic. This is a no-frills, old-school turkey slayer.
Savage Renegauge Photo courtesy of Savage Arms Among the top features of the Savage Renegauge are oversized controls, a D.R.I.V gas system and stock rod buffer to reduce felt recoil. It has an oversized loading port—great for using with gloves—and adjustable stock for drop and cast, comb height, and length of pull. The action and fluted barrel sport a Melonite finish. It includes an Extended Full choke along with three others and is chambered for up to 3-inch shotshells.
Henry Single Shot Photos courtesy of Henry If you’re interested in a little more sportiness, the Henry Single Shot in 12-gauge or .410 bore might be the ticket. One shot should be enough, right? If not, better load quickly. The Henry Single Shot features a rebounding external hammer safety mechanism and an ambidextrous locking lever setup. This system prevents the action from opening or closing if the hammer is cocked, as an additional safety measure. The 12-gauge sports Mossy Oak Obsession and the .410 wears Original Bottomland. Both have adjustable fiber-optic sights and are drilled and tapped for a Weaver 82 base should you want to add an optic. Under the camo, the stocks are American walnut and have a rubber recoil pad.
