Youth Hunter: For the reasons stated above, a scope of some sort is often beginner friendly. However, a scope does make it more difficult to pick the bird up in compared to a bead or barrel sight Also, a slight bit of magnification can help you hold the crosshairs exactly where you want to, which is becoming more important every year with the ultra-tight shooting turkey loads of today.

Both cause you to keep your head down while locking on to a turkey. The one big bonus with conventional scopes and red dot scopes is that they take a lot of hunter error out of the equation. A simple small fiber-optic sight placed on the end of the barrel is a great choice for the turkey hunter on the move. Personally, I prefer no optics because I don’t want to worry about bumping it while I’m out running and gunning for toms. Should you put a scope on your turkey gun?Īdult Hunter: This decision largely comes down to personal preference and sometimes state game laws. A semi-auto will further reduce the recoil.īeware: Most shells designed exclusively for turkey hunting will only come in 3-inch and 3 ½ inch shell size. Couple this with some of the new shotgun loads on the shelves today, and you’ll set them up for immediate success. A 20-gauge will offer a significant reduction in recoil, while still proving plenty deadly. Youth Hunter: Recoil is often one of the biggest fears for youth when it comes to shooting guns, which is why a 20-gauge will be their best friend. This is one decision that should be easy, get a 12-gauge that can chamber at least 3-inch shells.

Not only is it the most versatile shotgun size for hunting multiple game species, but it also has the most options when it comes to finding the right shell for your target species.

What gauge is best for your turkey gun?Īdult Hunter: You can’t go wrong with a 12-gauge shotgun when it comes to killing turkeys. Whether you’re a first-timer looking to buy a perfect turkey gun or simply a hunter looking to improve your existing shotgun, this article will walk you through the key features you should be considering if you’re looking for the perfect turkey gun. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are getting warmer, making it the perfect time to get out and pattern your shotgun. After a stagnant winter following the end of deer season, it’s finally time for many of us to start gearing up for turkey season.

March is here and the spring thaw is upon us.

Barrel length for turkey