TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEW TURKEY SHOTGUNS

Here are five new lighter-weight 12- and 20-gauges capable of downing a wily ol’ tom this season.

In all honesty, I have tried to put this off as long as I could. Talking about turkey shotguns, that is. Now don’t get me wrong, you know I love shotguns, and I certainly love those of the turkey persuasion. I just think we are going to be in “turkey mode” for a few months – turkey hunting, turkey shotguns and loads, choke tubes and patterns, you get the idea – and I don’t want you to get bored and worn out with turkey-related stuff.

But really, it is time. I write this in February and the season for those loud, aggravating, make-you-lose-all-of-yourdomestic-bliss-type birds has already started in southern Florida and will move north as the days go by. It goes by fast, my brothers and sisters in camo; soon it will be time to turkey hunt in your state and it will be here before you know it. Are you ready? Do you need to get your gear together, like calls and turkey vests and your camo attire? Are you OK for a shotgun? Do you need a new turkey gun or are you just wanting a new one? (Nothing wrong with that.) Good! That is what we are here to talk about. Here are a few selections for you to grind on.

Henry may have surprised us all with the offering of this single-shot, fully camouflaged shotgun for turkeys. Some may question a single-shot 12-gauge for turkeys, but if you think about it, how often do you require a second shot? Safety is a big factor here, as you can readily confirm by sight or by looking at the gun if the weapon is cocked or not. Likewise, while traveling with the gun, crossing fences or other obstacles, a break-action shotgun is easily opened, rendering it safe, and the hunter can go on his way.

While the single-shot break-action form and function is beautiful in its simplicity, Henry added some useful features for today’s turkey hunting enthusiasts. Most apparent is full coverage of Mossy Oak Obsession, the official camo pattern of the National Wild Turkey Federation. This pattern matches the colors and foliage of the woods in spring and early fall, so you can disappear into your surroundings regardless of the season.

The barrel is topped with adjustable fiber optic sights to get you on target quickly, and it is also drilled and tapped for a Weaver 82 base. Many turkey hunters opt to mount optics on their shotgun, like a red dot sight, and the Single Shot Turkey Camo Shotgun makes it easy to do so. At the muzzle end, a removable turkey choke is present for the tightest pattern possible to extend the lethal range. And while you may not be able to see it, Henry stuck with their beloved genuine American walnut for the stocks under all that camo.

Info: MSRP: $756; henryusa.com.

FRANCHI AFFINITY 3.5 TURKEY ELITE

I shot a Franchi 48 AL for years, starting as a grouse gun for its light weight and Browning A5-esque square receiver. When the grouse became too scarce, I transferred it to duty on turkeys. I always liked it and still do, as it is light, easy to carry, comes up fast and goes bang every time you jerk the trigger. Franchi shotguns seem to do that consistently.

The Franchi Affinity 3.5 Turkey Elite is not the 48 AL, but it is a lightweight, handy, turkey-specific shotgun that you need to consider if you are in the market. Franchi took the popular Affinity shotgun, listened to feedback from avid turkey hunters, and optimized the platform into an ergonomic turkey-slaying machine. Franchi added a Steadygrip stock and 24-inch barrel with a hooded front sight for hunting in heavy cover, and combined Optifade Subalpine camo with a Midnight Bronze Cerakote finish on the receiver and barrel to provide superior concealment in the woods.

Precision Cone Patterning was added to lengthen the forcing cone (for better patterns) and Rhino extended turkey choke tubes ensure consistent, tight and lethal shot patterns. A Picatinny rail atop the receiver can be used to mount optics. A chrome-lined barrel, 3½-inch chamber, oversized and textured bolt controls, beveled loading port, removable trigger group, and TSA recoil pad are some of the features of this 12-gauge turkey shotgun.

Info: MSRP: $1,249; franchiusa.com.

ESCORT PS YOUTH 20-GAUGE SHOTGUN

I would bet that more than twice we have discussed the dangers of giving a young or small-statured shooter a shotgun that is too big for them. Letting a kid use an ill-fitting shotgun leads to all kinds of problems, including a flinch that they may never recover from. Youth-sized firearms make things much easier for the young shooter and they can enjoy the experience all the more.

Escort Shotguns has a line of fully camoed turkey shotguns that will help the younger hunter be successful. The Escort PS Youth 20-gauge shotgun is worth a look if you have an up-andcoming turkey hunter at your house. And if you have not been living under the proverbial rock, you know about tungsten super shot, or TSS, and some of the other modern turkey loads that mean Junior doesn’t need to carry a heavier 12-gauge anyway.

The Escort PS Youth is chambered for 3-inch magnum 20-gauge shells and features Escort’s patented Fast Loading System and Smart Valve Piston. An aircraft-grade aluminum alloy receiver is fully anodized and sports a well-designed 11mm groove for optics mounts. The chromeplated 22-inch barrel pulls everything together utilizing a 7mm, checkered, ventilated, anti-glare rib ending with a classic brass bead. The multi-choke system includes five chokes (F, IM, M, IC, CYL). A migratory plug can be installed for two-plus-one capacity and removed for a complete four-plus-one capacity.

The gas-operated Escort PS Youth comes with a synthetic polymer stock and forend with checkered gripping surfaces. For comfort, there is a welldesigned rubber recoil TrioPad. In addition, spacers can be added or removed to adjust the length of pull. Stock shims provide adjustment of drop and cast for a better fit. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support.

The finish is available in full black and three camo options: Realtree Timber, Mossy Oak Bottomland and Realtree Max-5. It weighs in at 6 pounds and has a 41-inch overall length.

Info: MSRP: $409.99; escortshotgunsusa.com.

CZ-USA 712 G3

I am going to add the 712 G3 to this list, as it is a fully camouflaged shotgun capable of taking turkeys, waterfowl or anything else that you would hunt with a shotgun. Gun companies will often do small changes on next generation offerings, but in truth CZ-USA rebuilt the 712 from the ground up for the G3 model. The major change for this shotgun is that the gas system was extensively modified. The new 712 G3 draws a greater amount of gas when the shell is fired, resulting in the gun being capable of firing lighter loads. The new 712 gas system also incorporates the use of two pistons, one for heavy loads like waterfowl and turkey shells, and another for light game and target loads.

Oversized controls on the receiver, shims for adjusting the stock to fit the shooter, and a softer butt pad are also new for this shotgun. Another feature on this gun is the over-bored barrel (.735), and it is furnished with a set of five long Active-Choke system chokes. The CZ 712 G3’s receiver and barrel wear a durable matte black finish that minimizes glare and can be paired with black synthetic, camo or walnut stocks. The 12-gauge weighs 6½ to 7¼ pounds, depending on stock material and barrel length. This is a lot of shotgun for the price.

Info: MSRP: $579; cz-usa.com.

BENELLI NOVA TURKEY MODEL 20-GAUGE

I may be slightly biased in the addition of this little shotgun to the turkey gun list, as I grabbed one practically out of the box, took it to the field on opening morning of spring turkey season and promptly shot a big gobbler with it. (It is easy sometimes, but not often.)

In keeping with the trend towards lighter, high-mobility shotguns for pursuing spring gobblers, Benelli has expanded the company’s popular Nova pump shotgun line with the release of the Nova Turkey. The Benelli Nova pump-action shotgun now comes in a 20-gauge platform, ideally suited for the aggressive run-and-gun turkey hunter.

The new Nova Turkey 20-gauge comes chambered for 2¾- and 3-inch 20-gauge shotshells and features a 24-inch barrel with included improved cylinder, modified and full chokes. Just an easy-carrying 6.5 pounds, it is a lightweight platform to leverage the reach and terminal performance of today’s advanced turkey loads. The new Nova Turkey model furthers its mission with a full-coverage Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish. This iconic spring turkey pattern has helped conceal woodland and field-edge gobbler hunters for over three decades. The full-length ribbed barrel terminates with a high-visibility red-bar front sight for quick sight picture acquisition in the early morning light.

Info: MSRP: $559; benelliusa.com.

Editor’s note: Larry Case has been a devoted outdoorsman since he was a child. He will admit to an addiction to turkey hunting (spring and fall), but refuses any treatment. He enjoys the company of gobblers and cur dogs that are loud and people who speak the truth softly. Case served 36 years as a game warden in West Virginia and retired with the rank of district captain. You can check out his podcast and other stories at gunsandcornbred.com.

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