Turkey Shotguns

Turkey Chokes: The Most Important Turkey Hunting Upgrade

A tight turkey choke is the single most impactful equipment decision for turkey hunting — more than the shotgun itself. Standard full chokes pattern turkey loads at 60–70% at 40 yards. Dedicated turkey chokes (Kicks, Primos Jelly Head, Carlson’s) pattern at 80–90%+ at 40 yards by restricting the shot column more aggressively. This tighter pattern puts more pellets in the 10″ kill zone at distance. Most modern turkey shotguns accept interchangeable choke tubes — always pattern your gun with your chosen choke and ammunition at 40 and 50 yards before season to know exactly where your pattern is densest.

Best Turkey Shotguns: Mossberg 500/590, Browning Maxus & Benelli SBE3

The Mossberg 500 Turkey is the most popular budget turkey gun — a reliable pump in full camo with a factory turkey choke at an accessible price. The Browning Maxus II Turkey is the top semi-auto choice for turkey hunters who want faster follow-up shots and reduced felt recoil from magnum loads. The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey handles the heaviest 3.5″ magnum loads reliably through its inertia system — the premium choice for hunters in states where maximum range matters. The Winchester SXP Turkey is a quality pump alternative to the Mossberg at a similar price point.

12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge for Turkey: Choosing Your Caliber

12 gauge remains the dominant turkey caliber because 3.5″ magnum loads deliver the pellet count (450+ #5 shot pellets) and energy for reliable kills to 60 yards with quality chokes. 20 gauge has improved dramatically with tungsten super shot (TSS) loads — TSS’s higher density means smaller pellets carry more energy, making a 20 gauge TSS load competitive with 12 gauge lead loads. For youth hunters or recoil-sensitive adults, 20 gauge with TSS ammunition is a genuine option that doesn’t sacrifice effectiveness. For maximum pattern density and range with conventional lead or tungsten shot, 12 gauge wins.

Turkey Ammunition: Lead, Heavyweight, and TSS Options

Standard lead turkey loads (#4, #5, or #6 shot) in 3″ or 3.5″ are the traditional choice and most affordable. Heavyweight shot loads (HEAVYWEIGHT, Apex, Federal Heavyweight) use denser-than-lead pellets that carry more energy at distance — popular for 50+ yard shots. Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) at 18 g/cc density is the premium tier — so dense that #9 or #10 TSS pellets carry as much energy as #5 or #6 lead, allowing tighter patterns with more pellets. TSS loads are expensive ($8–12 per shell) but deliver maximum pattern density and range. For most turkey hunters shooting within 40 yards, quality lead loads with a tight choke are entirely adequate.

Turkey Shotgun Accessories: Sights & Decoys

Open bead sights are inadequate for precise 40–50 yard turkey shots. A fiber-optic front sight or red dot optic dramatically improves accuracy — most modern turkey shotguns include a Picatinny rail for optic mounting. A Holosun red dot mounted on a turkey gun transforms it into a precision tool capable of consistent 50-yard head shots. A sling keeps the gun manageable during long sits. Full-coverage camo finish is essential — turkeys have excellent color vision and spot movement instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions: Turkey Shotguns

What is the best choke for turkey hunting?
A dedicated turkey choke is the single most impactful upgrade for turkey hunting — tighter constriction (Extra Full or Turkey-specific) produces a denser pattern at the 40–60 yard distances turkey hunters typically shoot. Primos Jellyhead, Kicks High Flyer, and Carlson’s Long Beard XR are among the most popular aftermarket turkey chokes. Pattern your specific choke with your specific ammunition at 40 yards before season — pattern performance varies significantly between choke and load combinations.

What is TSS turkey ammo?
TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) is a premium turkey ammunition using tungsten alloy shot that is approximately 22% denser than lead — allowing smaller shot sizes (#9 TSS hits harder than #4 lead) while fitting more pellets in the pattern. TSS loads from Federal Heavyweight, BOSS, and Apex have extended effective turkey range to 60+ yards with devastating pattern density. The tradeoff is cost — TSS loads typically run $8–$12 per shell versus $2–$4 for standard lead turkey loads.

Is 20 gauge adequate for turkey?
Yes, particularly with modern TSS loads. A 20 gauge with Federal Heavyweight TSS #9 or BOSS Shot #9 produces patterns comparable to or exceeding 12 gauge lead loads at typical turkey distances. For youth hunters or recoil-sensitive shooters, a 20 gauge with premium loads is a legitimate and effective turkey setup rather than a compromise.

What features matter most on a turkey shotgun?
Camo finish (reduces spooking birds in close-range calling situations), a tight turkey choke, a fiber optic or red dot sight for precise head shots, and a comfortable stock for long hours in the blind are the key turkey-specific features. Many turkey hunters add a red dot or reflex sight to their shotgun for the precise aiming point required for tight turkey patterns — the head and neck are a small target requiring accurate shot placement.

See Also: Waterfowl Shotguns • Semi-Auto Shotguns • Pump Shotguns • Shotgun Ammo • Hunting Rifles