Written by Steve Felgenhauer
As I clawed my way to the top of the hill, I wished my old 12 gauge was a bit lighter, but I didn’t want to give up its killing power. I previously tested lighter alternatives, but when it came time to pattern, the fillings in my teeth rattled after firing a barrage of the behemoth 3 ½” turkey loads.
Turkey hunters demand their shotguns to perform out of the ordinary. They require shotguns designed to throw a payload of shot downrange printing a 30-inch pattern to down flying birds at 40 yards. They also need them to handle an even bigger payload of pellets and print them within a 10-inch circle at 40 yards. This was nearly unattainable before the introduction of TSS which has leveled the playing field when it comes to turkey hunting shotguns. Now the sub gauges are rivaling the ever popular 12 gauge in both patterns and killing power.
Today turkey hunters have an abundance of choices for the sub gauge shotgun that delivers results downrange in nearly every type of action and budget. Here is a short list of new sub gauges for 2026.
Retay
Known for their inertia driven semi autos, Retay has upped the ante with the Gamelander. A single shot break action shotgun chambered in 20 gauge and .410. The Gamelander features Retay’s Deep Bore™ Drilled Barrel which according to Retay equates to 20% more pellets on target, optimized forcing cones and also features a turkey-lander extra full choke tube, adjustable cheek piece and the innovative AIRY™ recoil pad. The Gamelander is drilled and tapped with a low-profile Picatinny rail and also has a brass bead. The Gamelander is available in Matte Black and Mossy Oak® Bottomland finish option.
Retay Gamelander Specs:
Weight – 6.7 lbs.
Barrel Length – 22.00”
Overall Length – 38.00”
Capacity - 1
Action – Single Shot
Barrel Finish – Black or Mossy Oak Bottomland
Stock Finish – Synthetic Black or Mossy Oak Bottomland
Price starting at - $349.00 MSRP
CVA
CVA stormed the shotgun field with the CVA Scout Spur chambered in .410 and new for 2026 is the Spur in 28 gauge. The Spur utilizes the proven single shot break action and features a 22” barrel which is equipped with a Picatinny rail to mount an optic, A Trulock XX full choke tube patterns TSS shot very well. The stock features an interchangeable cheekpiece to get the eye aligned with the optic and also offers a spacer to lengthen the stock as young shooters grow. The Spur is available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and Cerakote Patriot Brown barrel and action or OD Green and a blued barrel
CVA Spur 28 gauge Specs:
Weight – 7 lbs.
Barrel Length – 22.00”
Overall Length - 38” Adjustable LOP
Capacity - 1
Action – Single Shot
Barrel Finish – Patriot Brown or Matte Black
Stock Finish – Synthetic Mossy Oak Bottomland or OD Green
Price - $574.00 MSRP
Mossberg
Mossberg has released three new sub gauge shotguns for 2026 including the SA-28 International Turkey, the SA- 410 International Tactical Turkey and the Silver Reserve Eventide- Turkey.
SA-28 International Turkey
Last summer I had the opportunity to test the SA-20 Turkey against other semi-autoloading shotguns costing three times more and it performed flawlessly. There is no doubt in my mind the SA-28 International Turkey will be any different. The SA-28 Turkey features a 22” barrel chambered for 2 ¾” shells, fiber optic ghost ring sights, an extended turkey tube, top mounted Picatinny base, crossbolt safety and the entire shotgun is decorated in Mossy Oak Greenleaf.
Mossberg SA-28 Turkey Specs:
Weight – 5.5 lbs.
Barrel Length – 22.00”
Overall Length – 43.25”
Capacity – 4+1
Action - Semi-Auto
Barrel Finish – Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Stock Finish – Synthetic Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Price - $991.00 MSRP
Mossberg SA-410 International Tactical Turkey
Not leaving well enough alone, Mossberg has introduced the Mossberg SA- 410 International Tactical Turkey. Like its big brothers, this shotgun features a 22” barrel and handles 3” ammo, fiber optic ghost ring sights, extended turkey choke, top mounted Picatinny base for optics and crossbolt safety. Also, like its counterpart, it is decorated in Mossy Oak Greenleaf. The pistol gripped stock is built for smaller frame shooters with a length of pull of only 12.75”.
Mossberg SA-410 Tactical Turkey Specs:
Weight – 5.5lbs.
Barrel Length – 22.00”
Overall Length – 41.75”
Capacity – 4+1
Action - Semi-Auto
Barrel Finish – Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Stock Finish – Synthetic Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Price - $991.00
Silver Reserve Eventide-Turkey
The third entry by Mossberg for turkey guns is the Silver Reserve Eventide -Turkey chambered in .410. This over and under features 20” barrels chambered for 3” shells and is equipped with an extended XX- full turkey tube and an extended modified choke tube for up-close work. It also features a fiber optic front sight and is decorated in Mossy Oak Greenleaf. The length of pull on the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey is 14.5 inches.
Silver Reserve Eventide-Turkey Specs:
Weight – 6.5 lbs.
Barrel Length – 20.00”
Overall Length – 37.75”
Capacity - 2
Action – Break-Action
Barrel Finish – Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Stock Finish – Synthetic Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Price - $1047.00 MSRP
TriStar
This year the folks at TriStar have introduced the Upland Hunter Thumbhole. This 20 gauge shotgun screams “run and gun.” The over and under features 26” chrome lined chamber and barrel fitted with Mobil style chokes and features both top and mid ventilated tib, single selective trigger, fiber optic sights and a thumbhole stock and matching forearm decorated in Mossy Oak Greenleaf. The metal is Cerakote finished in bronze.
Upland Hunter Thumbhole Specs:
Weight - 6 lbs.
Barrel Length – 26.00”
Overall Length – approx. 41.5 “
Capacity - 2
Action – Break-Action
Barrel Finish – Bronze Cerakote
Stock Finish – Synthetic Mossy Oak Greenleaf
Price - $879 MSRP
Whether you’re in need of a new shotgun or simply want to upgrade to a sub gauge, give one of these new offerings a try.
