The Ultimate 20 Gauge Turkey Shotgun: Stevens 301 Turkey Matte Black Mossy Oak Obsession

For dedicated turkey hunters, having the right gear can make all the difference between a successful hunt and a missed opportunity. The Stevens 301 Turkey in 20 Gauge is a purpose-built shotgun engineered to meet the unique demands of pursuing America's most challenging game bird. This firearm, known for its reliability, precise patterning, and user-friendly design, is an exceptional choice for both seasoned veterans and those just beginning their turkey hunting journey.

If you’re asking, “What is the best shotgun for turkey hunting?” or “How do I choose an effective turkey gun for tight patterns?” then the Stevens 301 Turkey is a prime candidate. It addresses the critical needs of turkey hunters: delivering dense, consistent patterns at ethical ranges, being lightweight enough for long treks through varied terrain, and offering rugged durability to withstand the elements.

Why Choose a Dedicated Turkey Shotgun Like the Stevens 301 Turkey?

Turkey hunting often involves unique challenges that standard shotguns may not optimally address. Unlike upland game or waterfowl, turkey hunting requires extreme precision, often at static, short-to-medium ranges, demanding a very tight shot pattern. The Stevens 301 Turkey is designed from the ground up to excel in this specific niche.

• Optimized Pattern Density: The inclusion of an Extra-Full Choke Tube is paramount. This specialized choke constricts the shot cloud more aggressively than standard chokes, ensuring that your shot string maintains a tight, lethal pattern well past typical shotgun ranges. This is critical for hitting the small, vital head and neck area of a turkey, which is the only ethical target zone.
• Compact and Maneuverable: The break-open, single-shot design of the Stevens 301 keeps the overall length and weight to a minimum. This is a huge advantage when navigating dense woods, scrambling through thick brush, or holding still for extended periods while waiting for a gobbler to commit.
• Reduced Recoil (20 Gauge Advantage): While capable of delivering powerful loads, the 20 gauge chambering offers a significant reduction in felt recoil compared to a 12 gauge, especially when firing heavy turkey loads. This makes for a more comfortable shooting experience, particularly during patterning sessions or for younger hunters and those sensitive to recoil. A more comfortable gun leads to more practice, which leads to better field performance.
• Stealth and Camouflage: The Matte Black finish combined with the Mossy Oak Obsession camouflage pattern ensures you blend seamlessly into your environment. This pattern is specifically designed for turkey hunting, featuring realistic limbs, leaves, bark, and branches to provide optimal concealment in diverse turkey habitats.

Key Features and Specifications That Set the Stevens 301 Turkey Apart

The Stevens 301 Turkey is meticulously crafted with features that directly translate to enhanced performance and reliability in the field. Let's explore the attributes that make this 20 gauge shotgun a formidable turkey hunting tool.

Barrel and Choking System

At the heart of any shotgun’s performance is its barrel and choke combination. The Stevens 301 Turkey boasts a 26-inch barrel, an ideal length that balances maneuverability with velocity and effective patterning.

• 26-inch Barrel: This length is short enough to be highly maneuverable in tight spots, allowing for quick target acquisition, yet long enough to provide excellent velocity for your turkey loads. It strikes a perfect balance between portability and ballistic performance.
• 3-inch Chamber: The 3-inch chamber is crucial for accommodating modern, high-performance turkey loads. These specialized shells often utilize larger shot sizes, denser shot materials (like Tungsten Super Shot or TSS), and heavier payloads, all designed to deliver maximum energy and penetration at extended ranges. The ability to chamber these powerful rounds ensures you have the knockdown power needed for tough old gobblers.
• Extra-Full Choke Tube: As mentioned, this is a non-negotiable feature for serious turkey hunting. The included Extra-Full Choke Tube is engineered to create the tightest possible shot pattern, essential for placing a concentrated mass of pellets into a small target area. This ensures a clean, ethical kill and maximizes your effective range. The choke is removable, allowing for cleaning and maintenance, though for turkey hunting, hunters will rarely deviate from this specific choke.

Ergonomics and Handling

A shotgun designed for turkey hunting must be comfortable to carry and easy to operate, even when wearing gloves or when adrenaline is high.

• Ambidextrous Hand: The simple, straightforward break-open action and ambidextrous design mean this shotgun can be comfortably and effectively operated by both right-handed and left-handed shooters. There are no complex controls that favor one hand over the other, making it universally accessible.
• Break-Open Action: This single-shot action is renowned for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of cleaning. There are fewer moving parts compared to pump or semi-automatic shotguns, which reduces the chance of malfunctions in harsh conditions. It also forces the hunter to make every shot count, promoting disciplined shooting.
• Lightweight Design: Weighing in at a mere 5.75 pounds, the Stevens 301 Turkey is incredibly light. This feature is particularly beneficial when you're covering miles of difficult terrain, setting up decoys, or carrying other essential gear. Less weight means less fatigue, allowing you to stay focused and alert throughout your hunt.

Finish and Appearance

Stealth is critical in turkey hunting, and the aesthetic design of the Stevens 301 Turkey contributes directly to its effectiveness.

• Matte Black Finish: All metal components feature a non-reflective matte black finish. This prevents glinting or reflection that could spook wary turkeys, especially during bright sunny conditions or when the sun is low on the horizon.
• Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage: The synthetic stock and forend are adorned with the Mossy Oak Obsession pattern. This pattern is widely recognized as one of the most effective camouflage patterns for turkey hunting, specifically designed with leaf and limb elements that break up the human silhouette in various turkey habitats. It’s crucial for blending into the environment, especially when setting up in open fields or sparse woods where turkeys have a wide field of view.

Answering Your Turkey Hunting Questions with the Stevens 301 Turkey

Many prospective turkey hunters or those looking to upgrade their gear have specific questions. Here’s how the Stevens 301 Turkey provides answers:

• "Is a 20 gauge powerful enough for turkeys?" Absolutely. With modern 3-inch turkey loads and the included Extra-Full Choke, a 20 gauge delivers more than enough energy and pattern density for clean, ethical kills on turkeys. The key is proper shot placement, which the tight patterns of the Stevens 301 facilitate.
• "What's the best entry-level turkey shotgun?" The Stevens 301 Turkey is an outstanding choice. Its affordability, reliability, and dedicated feature set make it ideal for new hunters. It provides all the necessary tools without unnecessary complexity or a prohibitive price tag.
• "How do I achieve tight patterns with my turkey gun?" The Stevens 301 Turkey comes with the essential Extra-Full Choke tube specifically designed for tight patterns. To maximize its potential, experiment with various 3-inch turkey loads from different manufacturers. Each gun-and-choke combination patterns slightly differently with various loads. Use large paper targets at 30, 40, and even 50 yards to find the load that delivers the densest and most uniform pattern for your specific Stevens 301.
• "Is this shotgun good for hunting other game?" While the Stevens 301 Turkey is purpose-built for turkey hunting due to its specialized choke and camouflage, the break-open design and 20 gauge chambering can make it versatile with a different choke tube (not included). However, its primary optimization is for turkeys.
• "What kind of accuracy can I expect?" When paired with the right turkey load and properly patterned, the Stevens 301 Turkey is capable of delivering consistent, devastatingly tight patterns out to 40 yards and beyond, depending on the load and individual gun. Its lightweight design and straightforward operation contribute to repeatable accuracy.
• "Is it easy to clean and maintain?" Yes, the single-shot, break-open action is one of the easiest shotgun actions to clean and maintain. There are minimal parts to disassemble, making post-hunt cleanup quick and hassle-free, which is important for longevity and reliable performance in the field.

The Stevens 301 Turkey: A Wise Investment for Your Hunting Success

Investing in a dedicated turkey shotgun like the Stevens 301 Turkey (UPC: 011356196194) is a strategic move for any serious turkey hunter. It eliminates the compromises often associated with using a general-purpose shotgun for such a specialized pursuit. Its thoughtful design, from the 26-inch barrel and 3-inch chamber to the Extra-Full Choke and Mossy Oak Obsession camouflage, all work in concert to enhance your chances of success.

This shotgun isn't just a tool; it's a reliable partner that understands the nuances of turkey hunting. Its lightweight nature eases the burden of long walks, its precise patterning instills confidence, and its robust construction ensures it will perform season after season. For those seeking an affordable, highly effective, and dependable 20 gauge turkey gun, the Stevens 301 Turkey, readily available at DEGuns, stands as an excellent choice, ready to help you call in and bag that elusive gobbler.

When you're ready to enhance your turkey hunting arsenal with a shotgun that truly delivers on its promise, consider the Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge. Its blend of performance, practicality, and value makes it an indispensable asset in the turkey woods.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Description	Detail
Model	Stevens 301 Turkey	UPC 011356196194
Gauge	20 Gauge	Ideal for turkey loads, reduced recoil
Barrel Length	26 Inches	Balances maneuverability and velocity
Chamber	3 Inches	Accommodates high-performance turkey loads
Choke Tube	Extra-Full (Included)	Essential for tight turkey patterns
Action	Break Open	Simple, reliable, easy to clean
Finish	Matte Black	Non-reflective for stealth
Stock/Forend	Synthetic, Mossy Oak Obsession Camouflage	Optimal concealment in turkey habitats
Hand	Ambidextrous	Suitable for left or right-handed shooters
Weight	Approximately 5.75 lbs	Lightweight for easy carrying
Availability	Available at DEGuns	Find this product and more