The Ultimate Guide to 12 Gauge Turkey Guns
Turkey hunting is a unique and challenging pursuit, demanding specialized equipment to maximize your chances of success. Among the essential tools for any serious turkey hunter, the shotgun reigns supreme. And when it comes to versatility, stopping power, and effective range, the 12 gauge stands out as a popular and reliable choice. This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of 12 gauge turkey guns, providing you with the knowledge to select the perfect firearm for your specific needs and hunting style.
Why Choose a 12 Gauge for Turkey Hunting?
The 12 gauge shotgun offers a compelling blend of power and pattern density, making it an ideal choice for taking down tough and wary gobblers. Here’s a closer look at the advantages:
- Stopping Power: Turkeys are surprisingly resilient birds. The 12 gauge delivers significant energy on impact, ensuring a clean and ethical kill.
- Pattern Density: A larger bore allows for a denser shot pattern at extended ranges, increasing your chances of hitting the vital areas.
- Ammunition Variety: The 12 gauge offers a vast selection of turkey-specific ammunition, allowing you to fine-tune your load for optimal performance.
- Versatility: While primarily used for turkey hunting, a 12 gauge can also be used for other game, such as waterfowl or upland birds, making it a versatile addition to your firearm collection.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a 12 Gauge Turkey Gun
Selecting the right 12 gauge turkey gun involves considering several key features. Here’s a breakdown of the most important aspects:
- Action Type:
- Pump-Action: Known for their reliability and affordability, pump-action shotguns are a popular choice among turkey hunters. They require manual cycling of the action after each shot.
- Semi-Automatic: Semi-automatic shotguns cycle the action automatically after each shot, allowing for faster follow-up shots. They tend to be more expensive than pump-action models.
- Single-Shot: While less common for turkey hunting, single-shot shotguns offer simplicity and affordability. They require manual reloading after each shot.
- Barrel Length: A shorter barrel (20-24 inches) is generally preferred for turkey hunting, as it makes the gun more maneuverable in tight woods and brush.
- Choke: The choke constricts the shot pattern as it exits the barrel, affecting the range and density of the pattern. Turkey-specific chokes are designed to produce extremely tight patterns at longer ranges.
- Sights: Accurate sighting is crucial for turkey hunting. Options include:
- Bead Sights: Simple and traditional, bead sights are effective for close-range shooting.
- Fiber Optic Sights: Fiber optic sights gather light, making them easier to see in low-light conditions.
- Red Dot Sights: Red dot sights offer quick target acquisition and improved accuracy.
- Scopes: Scopes provide magnification for precise aiming at longer ranges.
- Camouflage: A camouflage finish helps to conceal the gun from wary turkeys.
- Recoil Reduction: Turkey loads can generate significant recoil. Look for features like recoil pads, gas-operated actions, or ported barrels to mitigate recoil.
- Weight: A lighter gun is easier to carry in the field, but heavier guns tend to absorb recoil better.
- Overall Length: Consider the overall length of the gun, especially if you’ll be hunting in dense cover.
Top 10 Best 12 Gauge Turkey Guns: Reviews for 2024
Now, let’s delve into some of the best 12 gauge turkey guns currently available on the market. These reviews are based on performance, reliability, features, and value for money.
- Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Performance Shop: The Super Black Eagle 3 is a top-of-the-line semi-automatic shotgun known for its reliability, recoil reduction system, and exceptional performance. The Performance Shop version comes with specialized features for turkey hunting, including a pre-mounted optic and custom choke.
- Remington 870 SPS Super Mag Turkey: The Remington 870 is a legendary pump-action shotgun known for its durability and affordability. The SPS Super Mag Turkey model is specifically designed for turkey hunting, with a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and full camouflage coverage.
- Mossberg 500 Turkey: The Mossberg 500 is another popular and reliable pump-action shotgun. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a variety of camouflage options. It’s a great value for the money.
- Winchester Super X4 NWTF Turkey Hunter: The Winchester Super X4 is a semi-automatic shotgun known for its fast cycling and smooth operation. The NWTF Turkey Hunter model is designed in collaboration with the National Wild Turkey Federation and features a custom camouflage pattern and turkey-specific choke.
- Stoeger M3500 Turkey: The Stoeger M3500 is an inertia-driven semi-automatic shotgun that offers excellent value for the money. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a camouflage finish.
- Savage 220 Turkey: While technically a 20 gauge, the Savage 220 is a bolt-action shotgun that delivers exceptional accuracy and range. It’s a great option for hunters who prefer a single-shot approach or hunt in areas with restricted shotgun ranges. (Consider the 212 for a 12 gauge option).
- Tristar Viper G2 Turkey: The Tristar Viper G2 is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun that offers reliable performance at an affordable price. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a camouflage finish.
- Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Turkey: The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is a premium semi-automatic shotgun known for its advanced recoil reduction system and exceptional reliability. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a camouflage finish.
- CZ 1012 Turkey: The CZ 1012 is an inertia-driven semi-automatic shotgun that offers excellent value and performance. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a camouflage finish.
- Weatherby Element Turkey: The Weatherby Element is an inertia-driven semi-automatic shotgun that combines performance, reliability, and affordability. The Turkey model features a shorter barrel, adjustable sights, and a camouflage finish.
Choosing the Right Choke for Your 12 Gauge Turkey Gun
The choke is a crucial component of any turkey gun, as it determines the constriction of the shot pattern as it exits the barrel. A tighter choke will produce a denser pattern at longer ranges, while a more open choke will produce a wider pattern at shorter ranges. For turkey hunting, specialized turkey chokes are designed to deliver extremely tight patterns. Here are some common types of turkey chokes:
- Extra Full: Provides the tightest patterns at the longest ranges.
- Full: Offers a good balance of range and pattern density.
- Modified: Provides a wider pattern for closer-range shots.
- Improved Cylinder: The most open choke, suitable for very close-range shots.
It’s essential to pattern your shotgun with different chokes and ammunition to determine the best combination for your specific gun and hunting conditions. This involves shooting at a target at various distances and analyzing the spread of the shot pattern.
Ammunition Selection for 12 Gauge Turkey Guns
Choosing the right ammunition is just as important as choosing the right gun and choke. Turkey-specific ammunition is designed to deliver maximum energy and pattern density. Here are some factors to consider when selecting ammunition:
- Shot Size: #4, #5, and #6 shot are the most common choices for turkey hunting. Smaller shot sizes (e.g., #6) provide a higher pellet count, while larger shot sizes (e.g., #4) deliver more energy per pellet.
- Shot Material: Lead, copper-plated lead, and tungsten-based shot are all used in turkey ammunition. Tungsten-based shot is the most expensive but offers the highest density and penetration.
- Load Weight: Heavier loads generally deliver more energy and pattern density, but they also produce more recoil.
- Velocity: Higher-velocity loads tend to deliver more energy at longer ranges.
Again, patterning your shotgun with different ammunition is crucial to determine the best load for your specific gun and hunting conditions.
Tips for Effective Turkey Hunting with a 12 Gauge
Here are some tips to help you maximize your success when turkey hunting with a 12 gauge:
- Pattern Your Shotgun: As mentioned earlier, patterning your shotgun is essential to determine the best choke and ammunition combination for your gun and hunting conditions.
- Practice Shooting: Practice shooting your turkey gun at various distances to become familiar with its performance and limitations.
- Scout Your Hunting Area: Scout your hunting area to identify turkey roosting areas, feeding areas, and travel routes.
- Use Decoys: Decoys can be highly effective in attracting turkeys within range.
- Call Effectively: Learn to use turkey calls to mimic the sounds of hens and gobblers.
- Be Patient: Turkey hunting requires patience. Be prepared to sit still and wait for turkeys to approach.
- Know Your Range: Understand the effective range of your shotgun and ammunition. Avoid taking shots beyond that range.
- Hunt Safely: Always practice safe gun handling techniques and be aware of your surroundings.
Maintaining Your 12 Gauge Turkey Gun
Proper maintenance is essential for ensuring the reliability and longevity of your 12 gauge turkey gun. Here are some basic maintenance tips:
- Clean Your Gun Regularly: Clean your gun after each use to remove powder residue, dirt, and debris.
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Lubricate the moving parts of your gun to ensure smooth operation.
- Inspect for Wear and Tear: Regularly inspect your gun for signs of wear and tear.
- Store Your Gun Properly: Store your gun in a safe and secure location.
Conclusion
Choosing the right 12 gauge turkey gun is a crucial step towards a successful and enjoyable turkey hunting experience. By considering the key features, reviewing the top models, and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can confidently select the perfect firearm for your needs and hunting style. Remember to pattern your shotgun, practice shooting, and hunt safely. Good luck, and happy hunting!
