Any advice/recommendations on a shotgun for turkey hunting? I’d like to stay under $1000 and want something in 20 gauge.

***I ended up going with a Benelli M2, thank y’all.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: techguy,

This will be fun! Not sure how many turkey addicts there are on SigForum, but you found one.

I hunt with a 20ga Benelli M2 that I built specifically as a turkey gun. New, will be over your budget. Used, can be under. I use Indian Creek chokes. That’s an RMR on a ScalarWorks low profile mount. This is a light, accurate, 50 yard gun with TSS 9.



My daughter (and about 5 other kids) grew up shooting a Remington 1187 youth in 20ga that was a killer. Might have been a bit clunky every once in a while on second shot, but I cannot remember a time the second shot was needed! We shoot HeviShot 5/6/7 Magnum Blend through a Jellyhead choke. That little gun is super handy and I have hunted with it when I had particularly hard/long stalks.

With today’s tungsten loads, 20ga is a great choice. Just need to try different loads/chokes to find what your gun likes. Not all that different from a rifle.

Well, I tried to post a photo. Sorry.

This will do and it won't break the bank. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022646661

If I where looking and know what I know now I would look at the browning BPS. A really good shotgun. Buy one used and pocket the rest of your budget for something else. Next?

I have fancy-ier guns and do a lot of turkey hunting Spring and Fall. I gave up a Benelli M2 for this Retay and have been very impressed. Comes with 5 chokes and is very light/handy. Went with a 26” barrel.

https://retayarms.com/20-ga-3-...masai-mara-advanture

My friend Dave is an avid and successful turkey hunter. His main gun is a 12ga 870 pump with scope. I don't recall him ever saying he needed a second shot. A tight choke, good shells, and a library of calls are his keys.

Everyone things what they have is the best, but I'd say with $1,000 budget just head out to the local gunshops and see what you like the feel of. An automatic will probably recoil less than a pump, but with a 20 gauge recoil shouldn't be a big issue anyway.

I have fancy-ier guns and do a lot of turkey hunting Spring and Fall. I gave up a Benelli M2 for this Retay and have been very impressed. Comes with 5 chokes and is very light/handy. Went with a 26” barrel.

https://retayarms.com/20-ga-3-...masai-mara-advanture

People associate the 20 gauge with lighter recoil and I must say this is not always true. For example for us old farts who have to be considerate to our shoulders will often shoot 7/8 ounce 12 gauge ammo out of our 8 lbs. 12 gauge shotguns. So, which will have a lighter recoil, a 7 lbs. 20 gauge shooting 7/8 ounce shells or a 8 lbs 12 gauge shooting 7/8 ounce shells. For those who said the 12 gauge give yourself a gold star. The weight of the gun used is a significant factor in the felt recoil.

The type of action is also a significant factor. Semi Auto's will produced less perceived recoil because re-cocking the action soaks up energy that would otherwise produce a harder punch at the shoulder. The jury is still out on which is softer, Inertia or Gas operated but they both can be quire soft shooting. Bad news is that Semi's can cost more and the less expensive guns can have rather short lifespans. If you want to go for a budget Semi I would suggest CZ USA or Retay, both have a good reputation and I know First Hand that CZ has outstanding Customer Service.

Pumps, I have two pump guns, a Remington 870 and a Browning BPS. Both are very good shooters but I prefer the BPS because it's a 30 inch gun, it features a bottom eject, and it cycles smoother than my 870. I like the bottom eject because I reload and it's a lot easier to find shell ejected right at your feet than it is to find shells somewhere off to the right. This alone is the primary reason why the one semi I own almost never gets shot.

Not being a Turkey guy I have no ideal what the setting is for Hunting. However I do know if you are doing walked up birds or shooting Waterfowl that can end up meaning a lot of walking, in which case the weight of the gun can be a factor. It's a case where a 7 lbs 20 gauge is a very sensible choice in comparison to a heavier 12 gauge. It's also a case where you may want to do some comparison shopping where the weight of the gun is the key factor. Because there can be a wide variation in weight between different guns. So take your time and look at everything, even the 2000 dollar guns.

Can’t go wrong with a Stoeger 3020. Light weight, light recoil. Comes with a turkey choke to get you started. I like mine lot.

I'm guessing you have a specific reason for 20 Ga over a 12 Ga.

Good choice on the M2. Now go get 2 or 3 chokes, 2 or 3 ammo choices and go to the range. Figure out which combo patterns best at 25 yards. Shoot top two at 40 to get a feel for your maximum comfortable range. Go hunt.

My advice would normally go on Ebay and Gunbroker and buy a couple used turkey chokes of different restriction. Pattern them, sell (or attempt to) the one's you don't choose.

Two hang ups... 20ga will make that much harder.

Since it's 20ga, I would definitely shoot TSS if at all possible. THAT will make patterning MUCH more expensive.