There’s something special about spring turkey season: early mornings, crisp air, and the adrenaline that hits when a gobbler sounds off close. This is our first-ever list of the best turkey shotguns, and it’s built entirely on guns we’ve personally reviewed in the field. It’s smaller than our other lists, and it will grow as we review more dedicated turkey guns.
In this article
Our 2026 picks are coming soon. Join the TFL email list and we’ll send you the new list as soon as it’s live.
How we picked the best turkey shotguns
Instead of separating guns by action type, we focused on what matters most for turkey hunting: reliability, recoil management, practical features, and real-world performance. That gives you three groups:
- Best on a budget: an affordable, capable turkey gun that’s easy to carry.
- Best value: the strongest price-to-performance ratio in turkey hunting.
- Best overall: the best all-around turkey hunting experience when money is less of a concern.
Best budget turkey shotgun
Best on a Budget
Mossberg 500 .410
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Pump
Our expectations were modest at first, but the more time we spent with this gun, the more we liked it. The .410 is a small package that’s easy to tote through the woods, with very manageable recoil.
When it came time to pick a turkey gun for the season, this was the one that came out of the safe. If you want an affordable, fun, and capable sub-gauge turkey gun, it’s hard to beat.
The catch: a .410 has less margin for error than a 12 or 20 gauge. Pattern it with good TSS loads and keep your shots inside the range it patterns well.
Best value turkey shotgun
Best Value
Mossberg 500
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge, 410 Bore
- Action
- Gas, Pump
Not because it’s flashy or new, but because it flat-out works, and it’s been proving that for decades. The 500 platform comes in full-size, compact Super Bantam, and .410 turkey setups, and the strengths are the same in all of them: reliability, affordability, and simplicity.
Many of the turkey models are optics-ready and pattern well with modern turkey loads. It isn’t the softest-shooting or most refined gun on this list, but for price, durability, and options, it delivers one of the best values in turkey hunting.
Best overall turkey shotgun
Best Overall
Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey
- Gauges
- 12 Gauge
- Action
- Semi-Auto (Gas)
This semi-auto handles heavy turkey loads exceptionally well, thanks to its recoil control and gas system. The ergonomics are solid, the controls are intuitive, and it pairs extremely well with a red dot.
Simply put, the 940 Pro makes precise shots easier and more comfortable, especially during long sits and quick opportunities.
You might notice that every pick on this list is a Mossberg. That’s not by design. It’s the result of what we’ve reviewed so far, because Mossberg has been willing to send us guns. As more turkey shotguns come through for testing, this list will grow. If there’s a turkey gun you want us to review, tell us in TFL Insider.
What to look for in a turkey shotgun
- Optics-ready: a red dot makes it much easier to put the pattern on a gobbler’s head. Look for a receiver that’s drilled and tapped or cut for an optic.
- Gauge and loads: modern TSS loads make 20 gauge and even .410 turkey guns deadly at real hunting ranges. Smaller gauges also mean less weight and less recoil.
- Recoil: turkey loads hit hard. A gas semi-auto or a smaller gauge makes practice and patterning a lot more pleasant.
- Size and weight: you’ll carry this gun a long way and sit with it on your knee. Shorter barrels and lighter guns are easier to move and hold steady.
- Pattern it: every gun, choke, and load combination patterns differently. Spend a morning at the range before season.
Common questions
What is the best turkey shotgun?
Of the turkey guns we’ve reviewed, the Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey is our favorite overall for its recoil control and how well it pairs with a red dot.
What is the best turkey shotgun for the money?
The Mossberg 500 platform. It’s reliable, affordable, simple, and available in several turkey configurations.
Is a .410 enough for turkey?
With modern TSS loads and a gun that patterns well, yes, at reasonable ranges. Pattern your gun first and know your effective range before you hunt.
Pump or semi-auto for turkey hunting?
Both work. A pump like the Mossberg 500 is simple and affordable. A gas semi-auto like the 940 Pro Turkey shoots softer and gives you a faster follow-up shot.
Can I use my duck gun for turkey?
Often, yes. Add a turkey choke, pattern it with turkey loads, and consider a red dot. See our best all-purpose semi-autos for guns that can do both.
Final thoughts
This is just the beginning of our turkey shotgun coverage. On a budget, the Mossberg 500 .410 is light, fun, and capable. For pure value, the Mossberg 500 platform is hard to beat. And for the best all-around turkey hunting experience, the Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey is our pick.
Which turkey gun do you carry, and which one should we review next? Manufacturer or viewer, we’re all ears. Let us know below.
And remember, whether it’s targets in the field or targets in life, you’ll only hit what you’re focused on. Live the #TargetFocusedLife.
