Top 10 Makers of Shotguns Specially Designed for Hunting Turkeys

1. Benelli

Benelli makes a variety of turkey guns, all of them camo. One signature feature is a pistol grip on the stock, which they call the SteadyGrip™. This is now available on both their autos and pump guns. Available in 12 gauge (3" and 3.5") and 20 gauge. According to Benelli, "select models" are drilled and tapped for scopes or red dot sights.

2. Beretta

Beretta's turkey guns are not particularly called "turkey guns" by the company. They are included here because they are available in camo finish. All of them are 12 gauge autos. The AL391 Urika is chambered for 3" shells, while the A391 Xtrema2 is chambered for 3.5" shells.

3. Browning

Browning offers camo shotguns in auto, pump, and over/under actions. All actions offer a choice of 3" or 3.5" chambers. BPS pump guns are available in 10, 12, and 20 gauge, and certain models feature the NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) logo and fiber optic sights. All BPS turkey guns are drilled & tapped for scope/red dot sight. Mossy Oak and Break-Up camo patterns.

4. Franchi

Franchi's auto models I-12 is available in 12 gauge (2.75" & 3"), and the 720 offers a choice of 12 or 20 gauge. Notably absent from their 2006 lineup is a 3.5" chamber model (they formerly offered the 912). Franchi is another company with a wide variety of special turkey shotguns, but in this case they are all automatics. Timber HD and Max-4 camo finishes.

5. H&R Firearms

H&R makes some of the most practical, simple guns there are. They are familiar to many of us, and have started many a hunter on his journey to becoming a true sportsman. I'm talking about their break-action single-shot guns, of course. They've been known by many names over the years, but Topper is one of the most recognized of them. These days, they're called Pardner, and they even come in camo.

They also market a semi-auto model called Excell, which is available in a turkey-specific model. I didn't see any specific camo patterns mentioned on their Web site at press time, but that hardly matters. Shopping camo patterns by brand name is not for me. If it works, it works.

6. Ithaca Gun

Ithaca's legendary model 37 pump shotgun is the backbone of the current company. In fact, the model 37 is their lineup. Currently, they offer the Turkeyslayer. Featuring a choice of their own weird-looking pistol-grip stock with large butt or a traditionally-shaped stock, it comes in either Mossy Oak or Realtree camo.

7. Mossberg

Mossberg offers 12 gauge turkey guns in pump and auto actions. Pumps include models 535 (3.5"), 835 (3.5"), and 500 (not specified, probably 2.75"-3"). They even have a camo Model 500 Bantam, for smaller hunters, listed in 2006. Autos are the 935 (3.5") and the 930 (2.75"-3"). Available camo patterns include Mossy Oak and Advantage. One of Mossberg's best and enduring features is the placement of the safety - on the tang where it belongs, worked by the thumb from either side (ambidextrous).

8. Remington

At this time, Remington lists a number of variations of turkey guns on their Web site, both pump and auto. The model 870 pump is available in 12 gauge (2.75"-3", with a "super mag" chambered for 3.5" shells), or 20 gauge. Their 11-87 automatic turkey guns are 12-gauge, again with one model designed for 3/5" shells. The SP-10 is a 10 gauge autoloader. Camo patterns vary, and include Mossy Oak.

9. Weatherby

Weatherby currently lists their SAS semi-auto shotgun in two specialty variations with camo finish - one in Mossy Oak Break-Up, and one in Shadow Grass. Both have 3" chambers, but only the SAS Break-Up model includes tight chokes designed for turkey hunting.

10. Winchester

Winchester makes semi-auto turkey guns, their pumps having been discontinued by the closing of their New Haven factory. They offer one Super-X2 turkey model, which bears the NWTF brand and has a 3.5" chamber.