Turkey hunters are turning to sub-gauge turkey shotguns thanks to the advent of TSS and other heavy tungsten-based ammunition.
Why? Because the best turkey shotgun is one you can shoot with confidence, without dreading the recoil when the trigger breaks. Not every shooter wants to feel the recoil of a 12-gauge turkey load.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best sub-gauge turkey shotguns for 2026 for hunters who want a lighter, handier spring gobbler rig.
Experts Insist Sub-Gauge Shotguns Are Prime for Turkey Hunts
If you’ve shot a 12-gauge loaded with 3 1/2-inch #5s, you know how hard they kick and how unwieldy they can be for smaller-framed hunters. As a result, they are not always a recipe for accurate shooting.
“The Winchester SX4 and SXP options in 20 gauge have grown a lot over the years,” said Ryan Swaner, Winchester Repeating Arms Product Manager.
“Because of their lighter frames and ease of handling, they have become more and more popular with hunters looking something more maneuverable in the field. It certainly helps that they are lighter recoiling, too.”
That's why so many people are looking for sub-gauge turkey shotguns.
When paired with a good choke and tungsten turkey loads, even .410 turkey shotguns are taking down birds at distance.
"When I started turkey hunting 30 plus years ago, I always thought you had to have a 12 gauge 3 1/2 turkey gun to be successful," said Chad Schearer, Director of Marketing and Media Relations for CVA.
Chad is an avid turkey chaser who has hunted turkeys in 20 states including Hawaii.
"Today, turkey hunters have many options to choose from when choosing a shotgun, and many are choosing a .410 for the added challenge," Chad continued.
"With today's modern loads using TSS, a high-quality choke, and adding an optic on a .410, you can maximize your lethal distance to over 40 yards.
"I have taken a number of turkeys over the last five years with the CVA Scout Spur in .410.
"It adds another challenge to turkey hunting but with the proper equipment you are not as limited as you think."
Whether you’re in the market for a 20 gauge, 28 gauge, or even a .410 turkey shotgun, there are plenty of great options to fit every preference and price point.
What follows is Hook & Barrel’s hit list of sub-gauge turkey shotguns. Most come in between 6 and 7 pounds, and all are more than capable of taking down any boss gobbler in the woods.
Note that some of these models are available in 12-gauge variations as well.
Winchester SXP Long Beard NWTF
- Gauge: 20
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Action: Pump
- MSRP: $699
If you are the type of hunter who lives for springtime and practices your mouth calls while driving to work in the winter, then the SXP Long Beard NWTF is for you.
It comes with fiber-optic sights and is drilled and tapped so you can add the mount of your choice.
The Long Beard comes with two user-interchangeable combs and height-adjust spacers that let you tune comb height for perfect eye-to-sight alignment. An Invector-plus extra-full Long Beard turkey choke is included.
With a 28-inch barrel, interchangeable chokes, and a full forend and pistol grip, it handles beautifully and weighs under 6 pounds.
READ MORE: Top Picks For New Turkey Guns, Ammo & Gear
CZ 628 Field Select
- Gauge: 28, 20
- Barrel Length: 28 inches
- Action: Pump
- MSRP: $589.99
For those looking for a lightweight, classy pump gun for the field, the CZ 628 Field Select delivers as a sub-gauge turkey shotgun.
Built on a gauge-specific 7075 aluminum receiver, this 20- or 28-gauge features a deep gloss blue finish and select Turkish walnut stock, combining elegance with performance.
Winchester SX4 NWTF Cantilever Turkey
- Gauge: 20
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Action: Semi-auto
- MSRP: $1,269.99
One of the most iconic shotguns ever built, Winchester Repeating Arms’ SX4 continues to spread its roots and leave its footprints across fields and waters. A semi-auto shotgun that has stood the test of time, Winchester offers the SX4 in 26 different models.
The NWTF Cantilever Turkey variant is purpose-built for turkeys and is finished with Mossy Oak Obsession camo. It has adjustable rifle-style sights with TRUGLO fiber optic front sight, cantilever optic mount, chrome plated chamber and bore, and Invector-Plus chokes.
CVA Scout Spur 28 GA
- Gauge: 28
- Barrel Length: 22 inches
- Action: Break-action, single-shot
- MSRP: $574
CVA’s Scout Spur enhances accuracy with minimal recoil. Its single-shot, break-action formula is easy to use and offers an excellent way to get new hunters afield, or add fun for veteran turkey hunters looking for a new (and lighter-carrying) challenge.
A Picatinny rail simplifies optics mounting, making the Scout Spur an ideal choice for budget-conscious hunters seeking reliability and innovation. It comes with an XX-Full turkey choke.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
- Gauge: 28, 20
- Barrel Length: 28 inches
- Action: Semi-auto
- MSRP: $2,849
The Super Black Eagle 3 is a complete redesign of Benelli’s iconic SBE platform. It excels in three critical areas: enhanced ergonomics for superior handling, intuitive and flawless functionality for reliable performance, and a modern design built to withstand the harshest conditions.
With the SBE 3, Benelli delivers unmatched reliability, style, and performance, ensuring absolute superiority in the field. It’s available in black or a variety of the most popular camouflages.
is built using a small-sized frame that results in a shotgun that is trim, lightweight, and a dream to shoot all day.
READ MORE: How Not To Get Arrested During Turkey Season
T/C ENCORE ProHunter Turkey Shotgun
- Gauge: .410
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Action: Break-action, single-shot
- MSRP: $1,000
The ENCORE ProHunter Turkey Shotgun features a compact, highly maneuverable profile that shoulders quickly and naturally, whether from a blind or against a tree.
At just 39 3/4 inches overall and weighing only 6 1/4 pounds (gun only), it offers exceptional balance and control in tight hunting scenarios.
It also feature’s the Encore line’s interchangeable platform that easily converts between rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader.
READ MORE: Best New Turkey Hunting Decoys And Blinds From NWTF 2026
Akkar USA Sharp Spur Turkey Series
- Gauge: .410, 28
- Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Action: Pump
- MSRP: $569
The Sharp Spur Turkey Series from Akkar USA is a no-nonsense pump built for hunters who value simplicity and dependability. The aluminum alloy receiver keeps weight manageable for long walks to the back corner of the property, while its 24-inch flat vent rib barrel balances quickly and points naturally.
The Precision Mobile Choke System includes five extended chokes (IC, LM, M, IM, EF) for fine-tuning patterns based on terrain and distance, making this gun a great value in the sub-gauge turkey gun category.
Charles Daly 301 Pump
- Gauge: .410, 20
- Barrel Length: 22 inches (.410), 26 inches (20 gauge)
- Action: Pump
- MSRP: $375
The 301 Pump from Charles Daly is a nod to the time-honored classic pump in oiled walnut with refined finishes. It delivers dependable performance with classic style in low-recoil .410 and 20-gauge models.
The 20 gauge has a full-size stock, but a .410 is available in a compact version with a 22-inch barrel and a shorter stock for smaller-framed hunters.
