When heading into the field this season, I want the best shotgun in my hands because I know I’ll have fewer malfunctions. So, I’ll stay in the field longer and have a chance of bagging more game. However, the best hunting shotguns for waterfowl aren’t necessarily the best for upland game and turkey hunting, which is why I created this list of hunting shotguns. After you finish reading this article, you’ll know what the best hunting shotguns are for your hunting style. Here are my top picks for the ultimate shotguns for hunting!
Top 7 Hunting Shotguns In 2024
1. Remington 870 Express
While Remington has received some negative press over the last decade, it’s now on its way back up, producing the Remington 870 hunters have loved for decades. Like thousands of other hunters, my dad has used his pump-action Remington 870 to hunt waterfowl, and I’ve snuck into the turkey woods with it a few times to drop a gobbler. It’s an incredibly versatile shotgun, which is why it’s the go-to shotgun for so many hunters.
2. Benelli Super Black Eagle III
The Benelli Super Black Eagle III is the pinnacle of waterfowl hunting shotguns. It’s the firearm that countless duck hunters dream of pulling out of the case in the blind to make all their buddies jealous.
The inertia-driven system was upgraded by reducing the probability of the infamous “click” created when the bolt didn’t lock into place. It now offers waterfowl hunters reliability even in the harshest weather conditions.
The SBE 3 also features a recoil reduction system so you can quickly move on to the next bird in the flock since inertia-driven shotguns tend to have more felt recoil than gas-operated shotguns.
3. Browning Citori 725
The Browning Citori 725 is a beautifully crafted over/under shotgun perfect for upland hunting. Its impeccable balance and precision ensure that no quail or pheasant is safe while you’re in the field (assuming you’re a decent shot!). Whether you primarily hunt in thick brush or an open field, the Browning Citori 725 has a barrel length option to fit your needs.
4. Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is a gas-operated semi-auto shotgun ideal for waterfowl hunters because the Steelium Plus barrel and Kick-off technology reduce the felt recoil without sacrificing reliability.
5. Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 has a legacy of durability and affordability. This is often the shotgun many hunters get simply because the price is unbeatable. No matter what you’re chasing, the Mossberg 500 can handle the situation without busting your budget.
6. Weatherby SA-08
Although the Weatherby SA-08 is no longer in production (the Weatherby Element is the budget option), it’s worth every penny if you can find one. It’s a durable and reliable semi-automatic shotgun that’s been proven in the field, marsh, and at the range.
7. Winchester SX4
When Winchester released the SX4, I fell in love. It was everything I wanted in a semi-auto shotgun: it looked good, was reliable, and was affordable compared to high-end shotguns. I could take it waterfowl hunting in the winter and turkey hunting during the spring.
Best Shotguns For Waterfowl Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is tough on gear, especially shotguns. I’ve seen empty shotguns used as paddles, ice busters, and tossed into the boat or back of the truck. To say they take a beating is an understatement. While I wouldn’t abuse all of the shotguns below, they can all endure Mother Nature’s harsh conditions.
1. Benelli Super Black Eagle III
Now, if you’re looking to impress a potential father-in-law or business partner in the blind, the SB3 is the shotgun to do it. It has all the bells and whistles, like recoil reduction to help you quickly get back on target and the BE.S.T. (Benelli Surface Treatment) coating to protect against corrosion and abrasions.
The Rob Roberts Tripple Threat choke tubes ensure you shoot perfect patterns at every flock that decoys. No matter which gauge you plan to hunt with, this shotgun doesn’t weigh over 7 pounds, which is ideal for those long walks deep into the marsh.
The biggest downside is that you must pay a hefty price to purchase the ultimate waterfowl shotgun, but that’s expected from serious waterfowl hunters like yourself.
2. Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus
The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus offers waterfowl hunters an incredibly consistent pattern and a mitigated recoil. Personally, I like the enlarged charging handle and loading port, so you don’t have to remove your gloves when loading and chambering your shells.
While the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus isn’t the most expensive shotgun, it’s still not what I would call budget-friendly at nearly $2,000.
3. Remington 870 Express
I’ve watched more ducks and geese fall out of the sky from a Remington 870 than any other shotgun, but that’s also because that’s what my dad shot growing up, and I have a couple of buddies who still use an old 870. The 870 is one tough son of a buck without the bells and whistles.
Best Shotgun For Upland Hunting
Upland hunting shotguns need to be lightweight and highly maneuverable. Shedding every pound you can might not be top of mind to a new upland bird hunter, but after walking miles upon miles with a heavy shotgun, you’ll soon realize the importance of a pound or two.
Browning Citori 725
The Browning Citori 725 weighs around 7-7 ½ pounds, and the multiple barrel lengths allow you to purchase the one that best suits your swing on a flushed pheasant or quail.
You can also choose between 12, 20, 28, and .410 to use the perfect gauge for the species you often target. You won’t be embarrassed to show off this gun while shooting trap because of all the fine details, finish, and beautifully crafted stock.
Best Turkey Hunting Shotguns
The best turkey hunting shotgun allows sights to be installed quickly and generally has a pistol grip, but it’s not mandatory. I’ve shot several turkeys with a shotgun that doesn’t have a pistol grip.
It also needs to be reasonably lightweight and durable, as long walks and swings in the weather are common during turkey season.
1. Remington 870 Express
Once again, the Remington 870 offers hunters durability, dependability, and doesn’t weigh as much as a whale.
2. Winchester SX4
The Winchester SX4 Long Beard is a turkey hunter’s dream. It has a rail to mount sights onto and a pistol grip. It’s protected by a Mossy Oak Obsession camo finish that helps you blend in as everything turns green in the springtime.
3. Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 Turkey-Tactical is the ultimate pump-action turkey hunting shotgun, especially when you’re on a budget. The pistol grip, adjustable stock, and shell holder are all in Mossy Oak Obsession to get you in the woods with a solid shotgun without busting open your piggy bank.
Best Budget-Friendly Hunting Shotgun
Mossberg 500
No matter which Mossberg 500 you choose, you can rest assured you’re getting one of the best deals on a shotgun. It’s a budget option that’s loaded with features you’d expect from a more expensive shotgun. There’s a reason why over 12 million Mossberg 500s have been sold.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Hunting Shotgun
Purchasing a hunting shotgun might initially sound like a simple process, but when you get into it, you realize there are many things you need to think about with this purchase.
Gauge
Many different gauges are available; the most common are 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 bore.
The gauge is essentially the diameter of a shotgun’s bore (barrel). It’s a bit confusing, but a 12-gauge is larger than a 20-gauge, and a 20-gauge is larger than a .410 bore (the .410 bore is called that because it’s a measurement of the bore, not the traditional gauge measurement).
A 12-gauge is the best all-around option for most species. However, it has more recoil than the 20-gauge and .410 bore and can be a little overkill for smaller species. I’ve hunted everything from Sandhill Cranes to squirrels with a 12-gauge, and many hunters use it for deer hunting.
Pros
- Powerful
- Abundant ammo
- Can hunt a wide variety of game animals
Cons
- Heavier recoil
- It can be overkill for some animals depending on shot size
The 20-gauge has seen a surge in popularity in recent years because it’s in the Goldilocks zone; it’s just right for most hunters. It doesn’t have a ton of kick, but it’s powerful enough to take tough game animals. My second shotgun was a 20-gauge, which I used to hunt rabbits and waterfowl.
Pros
- Powerful enough for most game animals
- Middle-of-the-road recoil
- Plenty of ammo options
Cons
- Less powerful than the 12-gauge
- Fewer pellets per shotshell than the 12-gauge shotshell of the same shot size (making game more challenging to hit)
The .410 bore continues to become more popular among turkey hunters, as it has little recoil, and advancements in shotshell technology make it powerful enough to take a turkey at close range. My first shotgun was a break-action single-shot .410 that I used to hunt rabbits, snakes, and doves.
Pros
- Low recoil
- Powerful enough for most game birds
Cons
- Fewer pellets per shotshell
- Ammo is less abundant and tends to be costly
Action Type
Most shotguns fall into one of three action types: pump-action, semi-auto, and break-action (single-shot and over/under); however, there are also bolt-action shotguns.
A pump-action shotgun is typically the least expensive and most reliable. I love using one for waterfowl and turkey hunting.
A semi-automatic shotgun is usually more expensive than a pump-action and is reliable. However, I run into more problems with semi-automatic shotguns than pump-action shotguns while waterfowl and turkey hunting.
Though break-action shotguns have fewer parts, they tend to be the most expensive as they’re the most reliable. Break-action shotguns are best for upland game hunting, but I’ve used an over/under shotgun for waterfowl and turkey hunting.
Barrel Length
The length of your shotgun barrel impacts the balance, accuracy, and maneuverability. A longer barrel (30+ inches) will be more accurate, less maneuverable, and a little front-heavy. A shorter barrel (20 inches) will be much more maneuverable and balanced but less accurate, especially at longer distances. The happy medium tends to be 26 to 28-inch barrels as they’re accurate, well-balanced, and relatively maneuverable.
Chokes
Interchangeable choke tubes will drastically alter the shot pattern of your chosen load. Most shotguns come with two or three chokes (improved cylinder, modified, and full), but you can purchase aftermarket chokes (cylinder bore, skeet, and improved modified) to achieve the perfect pattern.
The cylinder bore (open choke) will be the least restrictive and give you the most expansive pattern, followed by the skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and finally, the full choke.
Skeet, improved cylinder, and modified will be best for close-range hunting, which often occurs while flushing upland birds.
The modified is the best all-around choke size, giving you the option for close and farther shots, but if you know, you’ll need the extra range, slap on a full choke to reach out and hit something at farther-than-average distances.
Weight
Your shotgun’s weight won’t matter much if you don’t carry it very far. However, the weight affects the recoil. A heavier gun will have less recoil than a lighter one because moving the heavier shotgun takes more force. Now, you noticing a significant difference is a different story.
Smaller-framed shooters (especially kids) might have trouble shouldering a heavier shotgun, but most shotguns weigh 7 or 8 pounds.
Waterfowl and turkey hunters tend to gravitate to heavier shotguns because the shotshells used on these hunts are more powerful and generate more kick than loads used to hunt upland birds.
Upland hunters also prefer lighter shotguns because they carry them for miles and miles at a time.
Durability & Weather Resistance
Your shotgun should be more formidable than you are; it must be capable of handling the harshest conditions and still perform flawlessly, especially if you’re a waterfowl hunter.
This is when pump-action and inertia-driven shotguns shine because they’re more reliable than gas-operated guns in tough conditions. A break-action is also ultra-reliable in unfavorable conditions, but it often costs so much that it’s difficult to justify exposing it to extreme elements.
Synthetic stocks and a durable coating on the receiver and barrel protect your shotgun from unnecessary corrosion. Properly maintaining your shotgun also plays a significant role.
How To Choose The Right Shotgun For Your Hunting Style
Purchasing the perfect shotgun depends on budget, features, and fit. Budget and features often go hand in hand. If you have a larger budget, you’ll likely get more features; if you have a smaller budget, you’ll likely get fewer features.
I can’t tell you what features are most important to you, as this is a very personal thing, but I will recommend shouldering the gun several times to ensure it feels as natural as possible. You might notice that one stock is a little thicker than the other, which means one over the other gives you a better cheek weld and better sight alignment.
You might also notice that one feels better balanced in your hands based on where you naturally hold it. Lastly, I recommend shouldering it with a thick coat on (if you plan to hunt in the cold) to ensure the butt doesn’t constantly snag your jacket. I had a coat that did this; needless to say, it didn’t last long.
A properly fitting gun will be more fun to shoot because you’ll be more accurate and comfortable firing it.
Maintaining Your Hunting Shotgun
As a waterfowl hunter, I’m pretty tough on my shotguns; they must be cleaned more often. I typically wait too long to clean them and then run into malfunctions in the field. Don’t be like me; instead, develop a maintenance schedule so your shotgun is in perfect working order.
It’s best to thoroughly clean your shotgun after every couple of hunts (more if you’re hunting sandy or muddy locations).
A thorough cleaning often involves field-stripping the gun, cleaning off all the grass, dirt, and debris (running a bore snake through the barrel), and lightly lubing the moving parts before reassembly. Do not over-lube your gun, as this will attract more dirt and debris, wreaking havoc on your next hunt. A light coat of gun lubricant is all you need.
In my experience, gas-operated shotguns need to be cleaned more often than others, as they tend to be more fickle.
FAQ
Which shotgun is best for hunting?
The Remington 870 is the best for hunting, as it’s been in the field for many decades, harvesting various game animals.
What is the best semi-automatic shotgun for hunting?
The Benelli Super Black Eagle III is the best semi-automatic shotgun for hunting.
What gauge shotgun is best for deer?
A 12-gauge shotgun is best for deer.
What is the most sold shotgun in the United States?
The Remington 870 is the most sold shotgun in the United States. It’s considered the best-selling shotgun ever.
Parting Shots: Best Hunting Shotguns
Ultimately, purchasing the best hunting shotgun is determined by your personal preferences, budget, and fit. I believe in buy once, cry once, but I’m also not one to overspend on a product because of the logo. I’m always looking to get the best bang for my buck (pun intended) when buying a shotgun.
I need one that’s durable and reliable, fits my hunting style, is comfortable, and is within my budget (I don’t want to sleep outside while the dogs sleep in my spot next to my wife!).
Be sure to let me know what your favorite hunting shotgun is in the comments below; I’m certain I didn’t have room for a few!
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