What drives the face of gobbler-specific shotguns in 2022? More hunt-specific semi-automatics than ever before are available to hunters seeking rapid shots, greater capacity, and reduced recoil. The major trends, however, are also controversial ones, but used correctly, can be both challenging and enjoyable assets to the hunt--including sub-gauges and micro-optics.
Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey
A pair of 940 Pro Turkey autoloaders mark the most recent additions to the rapidly growing family of Jerry Miculek endorsed, semi-automatics. Previous additions to lineup include the JM Pro Competition gun, Pro Snow Goose with its wildly extended magazine tube, affordable Pro Field, Pro Waterfowl, and Pro Tactical.
The gas-driven guns utilize a durable system that, according to Mossberg torture testing, allows up to 1,500 rounds between cleanings – a refreshing upgrade on the autoloader market. To face the harsh conditions hunters often brave, internal parts wear corrosion-resistant finishes. An adjustable stock allows for 1.25 inches of customization for the length of pull.
Pro Turkey models are 12-gauge and available with either an 18.5 or 24-inch ventilated rib barrel and full Mossy Oak Greenleaf coverage. Geared specifically toward gobbler chasers, the guns come with an X-Factor XX-Full Turkey choke tube, HiViz CompSight green front fiber optic, and oversized controls. Perhaps most interesting is the optics-ready receiver with is both drilled and tapped, as well as machined for direct-mounting of RMSc-pattern micro dot sights. That short-barreled model is extremely handy in thick turkey woods.
Stevens 301 Turkey XP
Though not new for the year, the updated XP variant on Savage/Steven’s 301 single-shot line is more gobbler-ready than ever with its included optic. The Model 301 has, at different times been branded as either Savage or Stevens. Regardless of the naming convention, this is a single-shot, break-action, purpose-driven sub-gauge turkey shotgun. Hunters have a choice of either 20-gauge or .410 bore, both lightweight, wieldy weapons built to excel with Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS turkey loads.
Related: Finding Romance in a Single Shot .410 and Heavyweight TSS
The 301 is one of the most inexpensive and lowest recoiling platforms on the market. Synthetic stocks are finished in either Mossy Oak Bottomland or Obsession camouflage. The 3-inch-chambered singles wear a 26-inch carbon steel barrel tipped with an extended, extra-full turkey choke. The standard 301 Turkey featured a removable one-piece rail, making optics mounting a breeze. Our favored 301 Turkey XP includes a red dot optic, making it an out-of-the-box turkey hunter.
Benelli Nova Turkey
Pump actions are one of the most underrated options in the turkey world, but their combination of affordability and reliability is hard to beat. Benelli’s respected Nova pump-action line of shotguns gets a 20-gauge Turkey addition for 2022. The new Nova Turkey features a handy 24-inch barrel.
Related: The Everyman's Benelli - The Nova Shotgun Gets it Done
The 20-gauge is stealing the show for its balance of both lighter weight and recoil. Weighing in at only 6.5-pounds, run-and-gunners will appreciate the metrics. Plus, pump actions like the proven Nova line have reliability to match. There’s full Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage finish, an aggressively ribbed forend, and a high-visibility red fiber optic front sight. A magazine cutoff button allows hunters to open the action while keeping subsequent rounds secure in the magazine, a feature especially useful as hunters go on the move, cross fences, or tend decoys. While any Nova model can bag birds, Benelli fans and hardcore gobbler chasers ought to give the dedicated model a hard look.
TriStar Viper G2 Camo
The brand known as “Value Experts” has long offered do-all, affordable shotguns that have been used to harvest plenty of turkeys. TriStar’s Viper G2 Camo models, with lovely Bronze Cerakote and camouflage coatings, a pistol grip, and other hunt-specific features keep this one of the top choices for cost-conscious turkey chasers. Besides, how often can semi-automatics be deemed affordable?
The Viper G2 Camo can be had in 12-, 20-, or .410 bores, each with a 24-inch ventilated rib barrel and fiber optic front sight. The rubberized pistol grips suit many hunters well, while the rubber recoil pad eats up recoil. Mossy Oak Bottomland camo is ideal for turkey hunting, while the included Picatinny rail makes optics mounting a snap. The G2 camo includes an extended Extra Full turkey choke and also ships with three other tubes for doing double duty on the hunt and around the home.
Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey
The Buckmark brand’s Cynergy family of O/U shotguns is oft-thought a top choice for sporting shooters or higher-end upland hunters. Browning shifts into the gobbler market for 2022 with the introduction of a turkey specific variant dressed in full Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage.
The Cynergy Ultimate Turkey joins a broad class of modernized doubles with sleek lines, cool coatings, and of course, camo. Built as a 12-gauge with either a 24- or 26-inch barrel, the Cynergy Ultimate Turkey weighs in just over seven pounds. There’s an ultra-low-profile receiver topped with a short Picatinny rail designed for red dot optics. Hunters who prefer irons will appreciate the Marbles Arms Bullseye rear and front fiber optic sights. A composite stock adds to weatherproofing. Five Invector Plus choke tubes are included, with one being an extended Ultimate Full Turkey. The adjustable comb makes for a comfortable fit, especially with the ¼-inch stock spacer option. The Cynergy Ultimate Turkey is a top choice for the discerning hunter who adores O/U’s.
Henry Single Shot Turkey Camo
Single shots are often overlooked in these days of semi-automatic craze for gobbler hunting, yet Henry’s Model H015T-12--better known as the Single Shot Turkey Camo – epitomizes an American-made, one-shot wonder. The 12-gauge uses a magnum 3.5-inch chamber to fire the heaviest hunting loads. A quality recoil pad helps mitigate recoil, as does the gun’s hefty 6.78-pound build.
Related: Gobble, Gobble, Bang - The New Henry Single Shot Turkey
There’s full Mossy Oak Obsession coverage, and what many assume to be synthetic stocks are actually American walnut beneath that camouflage. A short, 24-inch barrel holds an extended turkey choke and adjustable fiber-optic sights. Hunting with a single shot harkens back to a more traditional style which means making that first shot count and turns hunters into more artful turkey callers and stalkers.
Winchester SX4 Now Tailored for Lefties, Small-Frames
This is the only entry on the list that is not entirely turkey specific. However, there’s always room for a do-all gun, especially when that platform includes both left-handed and smaller-framed shooters. While we’ve long been partial to the Belgian-built SX3’s, the SX4’s are engineered with plenty of hunter-friendly features and control upgrades. The SX4’s Active Valve Gas System cycles a wide array of loads--up to 3.5-inch-- without adjustment. The drive, along with Quadra Vent ports for cleaner operation, all add up to less felt recoil.
New for 2022, left-handed model variants have been added to both the 12- and 20-gauge families. The left-handed options can be had in many configurations, including wood, synthetic, and camouflage furniture. Both younger and smaller-framed shooters will appreciate the SX4 Compact models, with their shorter length of pull and barrel. For what it’s worth, though, Winchester does offer a sweet SX4 NWTF Cantilever Turkey shotgun in Mossy Oak Obsession with the so-named optics mounting system ready to rock and roll.
