Photo courtesy of CZ-USA
March 30, 2022
By Game & Fish Staff
Here are three 12-gauge shotguns from CZ-USA great for spring turkey hunting. Featured are the CZ Reaper Magnum, CZ 612 Magnum Turkey, and CZ 1012 Synthetic Bottomland.
CZ Reaper Magnum CZ-USA’s over/under is designed for maximum flexibility when gobblers either strut into a hunter’s lap or hang up at the outer margins of range. Clad in Mossy Oak Obsession Camo, the Reaper is built with the same 3 ½-inch chambers of the Swamp Magnum.
With an over/under each barrel can be equipped with a different choke; such as, an open choke in the bottom barrel for close range, and an extra full choke in the top barrel for longer distances. A simple flip of the selector switch lets hunters pick which barrel to fire.
The shorter barrels allow hunters to be more maneuverable in the woods or blind. The Picatinny-style rail allows hunters to add a favorite optic. The gun accepts the most potent 3 ½-inch turkey loads and will also accept all 2 ¾" and 3” loads. At 7 pounds, with a 26-inch barrel and sling swivels front and back, the Reaper Magnum comes with five extended interchangeable chokes.
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CZ 612 Magnum Turkey This pump-action shotgun sports an effective springtime camo pattern in the Mossy Oak Obsession and comes equipped with two chokes. One choke is extra-full to deliver maximum pellets to the gobbler’s kill zone, and the other is modified for upland hunting and steel shot.
The 612 Magnum turkey comes with a rail that can be added atop the receiver for an optic of choice. The 8mm flat vent rib has a bead at the muzzle, weighs 6.8 pounds, accepts 3 ½-inch, 3”, and 2 ¾" shotshells and has a 26-inch barrel.
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CZ 1012 Synthetic Bottomland CZ-USA’s versatile semi-auto shotgun can take hunters from the duck blind to the turkey woods. It is a longtime favorite of gobbler getters, especially with its iconic “Bottomland” camo pattern.
The popular inertia operating system delivers reliability and ease of maintenance. During testing, the CZ 1012 fired 5,000 rounds without needing a drop of oil or cleaning.
Few, if any, turkey hunters or waterfowlers will require that pace of activity - occasional cleaning and oiling should be more than enough.
This flexible shotgun is one hunters will want to carry to the practice range and upland bird fields as well as the spring woods, owing to its ability to handle everything from light-recoiling target loads up to potent 3-inch magnums.
It has an 8mm flat vent rib, weighs just 6.5 pounds, and is available with a 26- or 28-inch barrel.
CZ-USA turkey shotguns (top to bottom): Reaper Magnum, 612 Magnum Turkey and 1012 Synthetic Bottomland. CZ Reaper Magnum Specs Chambering: 12-gauge Barrel Length: 26-inch Chokes: 5 Extended Black (Cyl, Mod, Imp Mod, Full, Xtra-Full) Stock: Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage Polymer Length of Pull: 14 1/2 Barrel/Receiver Finish: Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage Ejector/Extractor: Ejectors Rib: 8mm Flat Vent Comb: 1 3/8 in Weight: 7 pounds Heel: 2 1/2 in Trigger Mech: Mechanical, Selectable for Barrel Safety: Manual Tang MSRP: $1,079 CZ 612 Magnum Turkey Specs Chambering: 12-gauge Barrel Length: 26-inch Chokes: Modified and Extra Full Interchangeable Stock: Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage Synthetic Length of Pull: 14 1/2 Barrel/Receiver Finish: Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage Rib: 8mm Flat Vent Comb: 1 5/8 in Weight: 6.8 pounds Heel: 2 1/4 in Safety: Crossbolt Behind Trigger MSRP: $469 CZ 1012 Synthetic Bottomland Specs Chambering: 12-gauge Barrel Length: 26-inch, or 28-inch Chokes: 5 Extended Black (Cyl, Imp Cyl, Mod, Imp Mod, Full) Stock: Mossy Oak Bottomland Camouflage Synthetic Length of Pull: 14 1/2 Barrel/Receiver Finish: Mossy Oak Bottomland Rib: 8mm Flat Vent Weight: 6.5 pounds MSRP: $749
