Best Turkey Hunting Shotguns for 2025: Expert Picks & Buying Guide
Discover the best turkey hunting shotguns in 2025, from budget-friendly pumps to premium semi-autos. Includes gauges, features, and tips for choosing your perfect turkey gun. When turkey season rolls around, having the right shotgun can mean the difference between a clean harvest and a missed opportunity. Turkeys have a small vital zone the head and neck so you need a firearm that delivers tight patterns, consistent accuracy, and dependable performance.
In this guide, we break down the top turkey hunting shotguns for 2025 and provide clear comparisons on gauges, barrel lengths, and action types to help you choose the shotgun that best fits your hunting style.
Quick Comparison of the Best Turkey Hunting Shotguns 2025
Model | Gauge(s) | Action | Barrel Length(s) | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 | 20, 28 | Semi-Auto | 24”, 26” | Lightweight, premium build, excellent patterns with low recoil |
Mossberg 500 Turkey | 12, 20, .410 | Pump | 20”–24” | Affordable, durable, versatile for all skill levels |
Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Holosun Combo | 12 | Pump | 24” | Handles 3.5” mags, comes with red-dot optic |
Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey | 12 | Over/Under | 24”, 26” | Dual chokes for range versatility, premium craftsmanship |
Remington 870 SPS Super Magnum | 12 | Pump | 20” | Short, maneuverable, proven reliability |
Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey | 12, 20 | Semi-Auto | 24” | Modern features, oversized controls, optic-ready |
Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey | 12 | Semi-Auto | 24” | Budget-friendly inertia system with turkey-specific features |
Winchester SX4 Long Beard | 12 | Semi-Auto | 24” | Smooth shooting, reduced recoil, easy maintenance |
Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey | 12 | Semi-Auto | 18.5” | Compact, optics-included, perfect for blinds |
Henry Single Shot | 12, .410 | Single-Shot | 26”–28” | Lightweight, simple, effective with TSS |
1. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (20 & 28 Gauge)
The Benelli SBE3 is often considered the gold standard in semi-auto turkey guns. Its Inertia-Driven System ensures flawless cycling in harsh conditions without excessive cleaning. The Comfort Tech 3 recoil reduction makes even heavy TSS loads manageable, which is especially helpful during long sits.
The 20- and 28-gauge options offer lower recoil without sacrificing lethality thanks to TSS ammo delivering long-range knockdown power. The lightweight design is perfect for run-and-gun hunters who cover ground to strike up a gobbler.
Why It’s Great: Premium build quality, outstanding pattern performance, and reduced recoil make this a dream shotgun for serious hunters.
Best For: Those who want a high-end, reliable semi-auto with top-tier performance in any environment.
2. Mossberg 500 Turkey
The Mossberg 500 has been an American classic since the 1960s, and the Turkey model adds camo finishes, extra-full turkey chokes, and optic-ready options. This is a budget-friendly workhorse that’s easy to maintain and nearly indestructible in the field.
The 20-gauge and .410 versions are especially well-suited for youth hunters or those sensitive to recoil, while the 12-gauge offers maximum range and power.
Why It’s Great: Affordable, reliable, and customizable for different hunters.
Best For: Beginners or budget-conscious hunters who want proven reliability.
3. Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Turkey Holosun Combo
This model is built for heavy loads, capable of firing 3.5” magnum shells. It features a ported barrel for recoil reduction and an overbored barrel for incredibly tight patterns. The package comes with a Holosun Micro Dot red-dot sight, giving hunters a quick aiming reference for fast, accurate shots.
Why It’s Great: Delivers long-range turkey-killing power without breaking the bank.
Best For: Hunters wanting premium performance from a pump-action platform.
4. Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey
This is the ultimate turkey over/under, offering the ability to load two different choke tubes one for close shots, one for long-range. The adjustable comb and length of pull allow for a perfect fit, while the fiber-optic front sight and Marble Arms Bullseye rear sight make aiming intuitive.
Why It’s Great: Combines luxury craftsmanship with unmatched versatility.
Best For: Hunters who want a gun that’s equally at home in the turkey woods and the uplands.
5. Remington 870 SPS Super Magnum Turkey/Predator
The Remington 870 has been a go-to for decades, and this turkey-specific model adds a ShurShot pistol grip stock for better control, a SuperCell recoil pad, and a compact barrel for maneuverability.
Why It’s Great: Short, powerful, and dependable perfect for hunting in tight brush.
Best For: Traditionalists who want a trusted pump-action shotgun.
6. Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey
A modern semi-auto with oversized controls for easy operation in gloves, a seven-position Picatinny rail for optics, and an extended turkey choke. It blends affordability and premium features in one package.
Why It’s Great: User-friendly, reliable, and optics-ready at a reasonable price.
Best For: Hunters seeking a dependable, modern semi-auto.
7. Stoeger M3500 Predator/Turkey
Stoeger’s inertia-driven action offers reliability with fewer moving parts. The turkey version comes camo-wrapped, optic-ready, and fitted with extended turkey chokes.
Why It’s Great: Affordable semi-auto with all the right turkey-specific features.
Best For: Budget-conscious hunters who still want semi-auto performance.
8. Winchester SX4 Long Beard
This shotgun’s Active Valve Gas System reduces recoil and cycles shells flawlessly. It’s easy to clean thanks to a drop-out trigger group, and the camo finish keeps you concealed.
Why It’s Great: Smooth, comfortable shooting and easy maintenance.
Best For: Hunters prioritizing comfort and low recoil.
9. Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey
Built for tight quarters, this short-barrel semi-auto comes with a pre-mounted Holosun red dot, camo finish, and extended choke for maximum pattern density.
Why It’s Great: Compact, optics-equipped, and perfect for blinds or thick cover.
Best For: Mobile hunters who value fast target acquisition.
10. Henry Single Shot (.410 or 12 Gauge)
A throwback to simplicity, this lightweight single-shot is drilled and tapped for optics and features adjustable fiber-optic sights. With TSS loads, even the .410 is deadly at close range.
Why It’s Great: Lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for minimalists.
How to Choose the Right Turkey Shotgun
When selecting a turkey shotgun, the most important factors are gauge, barrel length, action type, and sighting setup. A 12-gauge remains the most popular choice for its power and versatility, capable of clean kills at 40–50 yards, while the 20-gauge offers lighter recoil and, with TSS loads, nearly equal performance. For close-range hunts, the .410 bore provides minimal recoil, and the 28-gauge offers a balance of light weight and effective range, though ammo can be harder to find. Barrel length also matters shorter barrels around 18–22 inches are easier to maneuver in blinds or thick cover, while longer 24–26 inch barrels give a smoother swing in open terrain. Action type comes down to personal preference: pump-actions are rugged and affordable, semi-autos provide softer recoil and faster follow-up shots, over/unders give the flexibility of two different chokes, and single-shots are lightweight but demand precision. No matter your setup, pairing it with an extra-full turkey choke will tighten patterns at hunting range, and adding a red-dot sight or fiber-optic front bead can greatly improve accuracy, especially in low light or awkward shooting positions.