Best turkey shotguns for every budget (2025)
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The Most Popular Turkey Shotguns in the U.S. (2025 Ranked Guide)
The best turkey shotguns based on real hunter popularity, expert reviews, and widespread use.
Choosing the right turkey shotgun can make all the difference when that longbeard finally comes strutting into range. While exact sales numbers by model aren’t publicly released, hunter preference, expert testing, and consistent inclusion in national “best turkey gun” lists paint a clear picture of which models are the most popular across the United States today.
Below is the 2025 ranking of the most popular turkey shotguns, covering everything from budget-friendly to top-tier premium options.
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1. Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Turkey / Mossberg 500 Turkey
Mossberg dominates turkey hunting for one simple reason: these guns work. Reliable, affordable, and built to take abuse, Mossberg pumps have become the most common turkey guns in the woods.
Why hunters love it:
Bulletproof reliability
Handles 3” and 3.5” magnum loads
Huge aftermarket for chokes and optics
Proven performance with TSS and traditional lead
Best for: Beginners, seasoned hunters, and anyone who wants performance without the price tag.
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2. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE3) Turkey Edition
Widely viewed as the gold standard in semi-auto turkey guns, the SBE3 is extremely popular among serious hunters who want flawless cycling and premium performance.
Why hunters love it:
Inertia-driven system = clean, reliable cycling
12-ga and 20-ga turkey configurations
Lightweight, smooth handling
Excellent patterning with high-density loads
Best for: Hunters looking for premium, do-it-all reliability.
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3. Winchester SX4 NWTF Cantilever Turkey
The SX4 has grown rapidly in popularity because it delivers semi-auto performance at a mid-range price. Many hunters transitioning from pumps choose the SX4 as their first semi-auto turkey gun.
Why hunters love it:
Affordable compared to other semi-autos
Soft recoil
NWTF edition comes optics-ready
Fast follow-up shots
Best for: Hunters wanting a reliable semi-auto without the premium price tag.
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4. Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey
While not as common as pumps or semi-autos, the Browning Cynergy has a loyal following because it offers something unique: a purpose-built over/under turkey shotgun.
Why hunters love it:
Two barrels for two choke/load setups
Compact, quick-pointing, and rugged
Camo finishes and turkey-specific features
Exceptional build quality
Best for: Hunters who prioritize precision, simplicity, and the versatility of dual barrels.
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5. Affordable Option — Winchester SXP Long Beard / Budget-Friendly Turkey Pumps
This category covers the guns hunters buy most when they want dependable turkey performance on a budget. The Winchester SXP Long Beard is one of the most popular, but this slot represents the entire class of affordable turkey-ready pumps.
Why hunters love it:
One of the best values in turkey hunting
Comes turkey-ready at a low price
Great for youth hunters or newcomers
Pairs well with modern TSS loads
Best for: Budget hunters, youth, new hunters, or those needing a backup gun.
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6. Premium Upgrade — Benelli M2 (Turkey Configuration)
Replacing the previous premium pick, the Benelli M2 is one of the most beloved turkey guns in the field — especially the Performance Shop Turkey edition.
Why hunters love it:
Lightweight and incredibly easy to carry
Inertia system = dependable cycling
Deadly with TSS loads, especially in 20ga
Excellent for run-and-gun hunting
Best for: Hardcore turkey hunters wanting premium performance in a lightweight platform.
✔️ Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Turkey Gun
Each shotgun on this list is popular for good reason — they flat-out get the job done. Whether you want an affordable pump or a top-tier semi-auto, this ranking represents what real turkey hunters are actually using in 2025.
Most well-rounded: Mossberg 835/500
Best premium semi-auto: Benelli SBE3
Best overall light/premium: Benelli M2
Best mid-range semi-auto: Winchester SX4 Turkey
Best precision option: Browning Cynergy Ultimate Turkey
Best budget: Winchester SXP Long Beard
