The Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge: Your Ultimate Gobbler Getter

The pursuit of a grand gobbler is a time-honored tradition for many hunters, demanding precision, patience, and the right equipment. For those dedicated to the art of turkey hunting, the choice of firearm is paramount, influencing everything from portability in dense woods to the decisive shot that secures a trophy. If you’re asking yourself, "What's the best shotgun for turkey hunting, especially when using modern, high-performance ammunition?" or "How can I achieve optimal patterns with minimal recoil in a dedicated turkey gun?" then the Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge shotgun is engineered precisely for you.

Specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of turkey season, the Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge with Mossy Oak Obsession Camo (Model 57666) stands out as a purpose-built solution for hunters seeking reliability, effectiveness, and a streamlined experience. This single-shot, break-action firearm is not just another shotgun; it's a meticulously crafted tool optimized for the nuances of turkey hunting, from its specialized barrel to its camouflage finish. Whether you're a seasoned gobbler getter or new to the thrill of spring turkey, this shotgun addresses common challenges by delivering powerful performance in a lightweight, user-friendly package.

Unpacking the Core Performance: The 12 Gauge Advantage with TSS Compatibility

At the heart of the Stevens 301 Turkey's effectiveness lies its robust 12-gauge chambering, specifically designed to handle a 3-inch shell. While the .410 gauge has seen a resurgence with the advent of Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) loads, the 12-gauge remains a powerhouse, offering a significant advantage in payload capacity and energy delivery. The Stevens 301 Turkey is optimally configured for today's advanced HEAVYWEIGHT TSS turkey loads. These high-density, incredibly heavy-for-their-size pellets revolutionize shotgun performance, allowing for tighter patterns and more pellets on target at extended ranges, even with lighter payloads.

• Optimized Barrel for Modern Ammunition: The 26-inch carbon steel barrel is a critical feature, meticulously engineered to perform with the latest generation of TSS ammunition. This barrel length strikes an ideal balance, providing sufficient velocity for TSS loads while maintaining maneuverability in the field. What does this mean for you? It means consistent, dense patterns that translate directly into clean, ethical kills on gobblers. Forget the days of struggling to find a reliable pattern; the 301 Turkey's barrel is built to deliver.
• Extra-Full Choke Tube: Precision is key in turkey hunting, and the included Extra-Full choke tube ensures maximum pellet density at typical turkey engagement ranges. This isn't just any choke; it's a Win Choke configuration, a widely recognized and trusted standard, ensuring that your shot pattern holds together tightly, concentrating energy where it needs to be – on the turkey's head and neck. This level of pattern constriction is crucial for making those challenging shots count, providing the kind of tight grouping that experienced turkey hunters demand.
• Powerful Patterns, Minimal Recoil: One of the often-overlooked benefits of modern TSS loads, especially when paired with a well-designed firearm like the Stevens 301 Turkey, is the ability to achieve impressive power with surprisingly manageable recoil. While the 12-gauge is known for its punch, the optimized barrel and the efficient nature of TSS loads help mitigate felt recoil, making follow-up shots (if needed, though unlikely with a single shot) and extended practice sessions more comfortable. This translates to greater confidence in the field and a more enjoyable hunting experience.

Engineered for the Field: Design Features for the Dedicated Hunter

Every aspect of the Stevens 301 Turkey is thoughtfully integrated to enhance your hunting success and comfort. From its action to its finish, this shotgun is built to perform in rugged outdoor environments.

• Simple, Incredibly Reliable Break Action: The single-shot, break-open action is a hallmark of simplicity and unwavering reliability. This mechanism is inherently robust, with fewer moving parts than semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns, translating to minimal maintenance and maximum dependability. When you're deep in the woods, far from a workbench, the last thing you want is a mechanical issue. The 301's break action ensures consistent performance, shot after shot, season after season. Furthermore, the simplicity of loading and unloading a single-shot provides an added layer of safety and control, making it an excellent choice for new hunters learning firearm fundamentals.
• Lightweight and Fast-Handling: Weighing in at a mere 6 pounds, the Stevens 301 Turkey is exceptionally lightweight. This characteristic is invaluable when trekking through challenging terrain, navigating thick brush, or holding steady for extended periods while a gobbler approaches. Its "Full Size" dimensions, with an overall length of 41.50 inches, coupled with its light weight, make it a nimble and fast-handling firearm, allowing for quick target acquisition and easy maneuverability in tight spots.
• Ambidextrous Design: Recognizing that hunters come in all forms, the Stevens 301 Turkey features an ambidextrous design. This means both right-handed and left-handed shooters can operate the firearm comfortably and efficiently, without compromise. The safety mechanism (a reliable hammer block) and overall ergonomics are designed to be universally accessible, promoting safe and intuitive operation for any hunter.
• Durable Construction: Built for the demands of the field, the 301 Turkey features a matte black carbon steel receiver and barrel, providing excellent corrosion resistance and a non-reflective finish that helps you remain concealed. The synthetic stock is rugged and impervious to changes in weather, unlike traditional wood stocks, ensuring consistent performance regardless of rain, humidity, or temperature fluctuations. This combination of materials guarantees longevity and performance in even the harshest hunting conditions.

Stealth and Precision: Camouflage and Optic Readiness

Concealment and accurate aiming are two pillars of successful turkey hunting, and the Stevens 301 Turkey excels in both.

• Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage Stock: The stock is finished in Mossy Oak Obsession, one of the most effective camouflage patterns specifically designed for spring turkey hunting. This pattern incorporates a variety of greens, browns, and natural elements to blend seamlessly into spring foliage, breaking up the shotgun's outline and making you virtually disappear into the environment. This level of concealment is critical for getting close to wary gobblers without being detected. The "Natural Camouflage" stock finish group speaks directly to its purpose-driven design.
• Optic-Ready Removable One-Piece Rail: While the 301 Turkey comes with standard sights, its removable one-piece rail is a game-changer for precision. This rail makes it incredibly easy to equip the shotgun with an optic – be it a red dot sight, a low-power scope, or a specialized turkey optic. Using an optic provides a distinct advantage in aiming precision, especially at longer ranges or in low-light conditions, ensuring precise shot placement on the small target area of a turkey's head and neck. This flexibility allows hunters to customize their setup for maximum accuracy, converting the shotgun into a surgical instrument for dispatching turkeys.

Why Choose the Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge?

This shotgun isn't just a collection of features; it's a complete system designed to solve the common problems faced by turkey hunters.

• For the Hunter Seeking a Dedicated Turkey Gun: If you're tired of using a general-purpose shotgun and want a tool specifically optimized for turkey hunting, the 301 Turkey is your answer. Its barrel, choke, and camouflage are all geared towards one objective: successful turkey harvests.
• For Those Embracing TSS Loads: If you're looking to leverage the incredible performance of TSS ammunition, this shotgun provides the ideal platform. Its design ensures you get the most out of these premium loads, translating into extended range and tighter patterns.
• For Hunters Prioritizing Simplicity and Reliability: The single-shot, break-action design means less to go wrong and easier maintenance, ensuring you can focus on the hunt, not your equipment.
• For Value and Performance: The Stevens 301 Turkey offers exceptional value, delivering high-end turkey hunting features and performance without an exorbitant price tag, making it accessible to a wide range of hunters.

The Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge with its Mossy Oak Obsession camo stock (UPC 011356576668) embodies the perfect blend of modern ammunition compatibility, field-ready design, and reliable performance. It's more than just a shotgun; it's a strategic advantage in the turkey woods, promising consistent patterns, comfortable handling, and the stealth needed to outwit the wariest gobblers. Available at trusted retailers like DEGuns, this shotgun is ready to become your go-to companion for successful turkey seasons for years to come.

Stevens 301 Turkey 12 Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Stevens
Model	301
Gauge	12 Gauge
Capacity	1 Round
Action	Break Open
Barrel Length	26 Inches
Chamber	3 Inches
Choke Included	Extra Full (Win Choke)
Overall Length	41.50 Inches
Weight	6 Pounds
Hand	Ambidextrous
Receiver Finish	Matte Black
Barrel Finish	Matte Black
Stock Finish	Mossy Oak Obsession
Stock Material	Synthetic
Application	Field
SKU / UPC	57666 / 011356576668