Hi all,

As I get older the weight of my turkey equipment is starting to be noticeable both from an energy perspective as well as knee issues. I'm starting to think about paring down what I carry. A 1/4lb here, a 1/2lb there, it all adds up. I have a Benelli Super Nova with pistol grip that has served me fairly well. It's got a 26" barrel and according to specs weighs around 8lbs. My 16 year old son has outgrown his youth model 20g and wants to go to a 12g. I'm thinking it's time to hand mine down and get something new for me. My wishes, which may not all be aligned - 12g, shorter, lighter, maybe a semi-auto, and if it isn't contrary to the weight goal still have a pistol grip of some sort.

Any thoughts and recommendations?

I definitely feel your pain brother!!

I don't own one of these, but I know a couple of guys who do and love them for turkey with the TSS shotshells.

I liked the 301 till I seen it was made in China.

I think its hard to beat a single shot for light weight turkey gun's these days if weight is your biggest issue's

I personally went to smaller overall sized shotguns yrs ago for turkey hunting, my current turkey gun is a 11/87 3 inch mag, custom 18-1/2 inch barrel, extra full choke, and I get very nice patterns out to 50 yards, and much tighter one's at 40 and under,, personally don;t shoot at them past 35-40 yards , so, NO need for extremes or extra barrel length to carry!
have a light weight scope on it, keeps me [pretty accurate!

and very comfortable sling

not sure how much it weights, never weighed it, but being so short, is just easier for me to manage taking it n long walks and days in the woods!

I think far too many folks get caught up in trying to make a shotgun a LONG range tool, like all the crazy in long range rifles and huge scopes and long barrels on them, when most shots are close , no where near where folks PREPARE for!

If I were to consider a single shot, it would be a nice muzzleloader. You can stay at 12 ga. and load the powder charge as desired. You then have the frame for a multitude of other barrels.

I like mrbb's suggestion. The firearm's steel is the best way to drop weight. An 11-87 is a sweet gun and will reduce felt recoil because semi-auto. You have two back up shots just in case....

Think my 24 inch SBE empty weighs around 6 pounds. Pretty easy to carry.

That does look like it could be nice. Might be over my budget however.

Today I discovered the Weatherby SA-459 Turkey. It seems to fit the bill and isn't over my budget. I don't have any experience with Weatherby guns. Any feedback on the brand or more specifically this model?

there decent shotguns
have you looked at charles daly shotguns?
there decent guns as well and price point is lower too

something like this, is a nice turkey set up
but again, please go handle guns before getting your heart set on any and pick what fits you better, you'll be alot happier in the end!


https://www.charlesdaly.com/product.php?id=541

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/109152