The Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge: Your Ultimate Companion for the Turkey Woods
When the forest stirs with the first light of dawn, and the echoing gobble of a wild turkey pierces the silence, hunters need a firearm they can trust implicitly. Precision, portability, and stealth are paramount for a successful spring or fall turkey hunt. For those seeking a dedicated, reliable, and highly effective tool specifically engineered for this pursuit, the Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge, model 19618, stands out as an exceptional choice. This isn't just another shotgun; it's a purpose-built instrument designed to give hunters a critical edge in the demanding environment of the turkey woods.
Why Choose a Dedicated Turkey Shotgun?
Many hunters might wonder, "Do I really need a shotgun specifically for turkey hunting?" The answer, for serious turkey enthusiasts, is often a resounding yes. Turkey hunting demands unique characteristics from a firearm that general-purpose shotguns often lack. These include:
- Optimal Patterning: Turkey chokes are designed to deliver extremely tight, dense patterns at typical turkey hunting distances (20-40 yards), ensuring maximum pellet count in the turkey's head and neck vital zone.
- Effective Camouflage: Turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight. A gun that blends seamlessly into the natural environment is crucial for avoiding detection.
- Maneuverability: Turkey hunting often involves long walks, crawling, and holding still for extended periods. A lightweight, balanced, and relatively compact shotgun reduces fatigue and allows for quick, controlled movements.
- Optics Readiness: Many turkey hunters prefer optics like red dots or magnified scopes for precise aiming at small targets. A shotgun drilled and tapped for easy optic mounting is a significant advantage.
The Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge addresses all these critical needs and more, making it an ideal companion for both seasoned gobbler getters and those new to the sport.
The Stevens 301 Turkey: A Hunter's Companion
The Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge, identifiable by its UPC 011356196187, is celebrated for its straightforward, robust design and its exceptional performance in the field. This single-shot, break-open shotgun offers a simplicity that translates directly into reliability and ease of use, qualities highly valued when a trophy gobbler steps into range. Its design philosophy centers around delivering maximum impact where it counts most, without unnecessary frills that might compromise its core function.
Key Features and What They Mean for Your Hunt:
- 20-Gauge Power with Manageable Recoil:
- "Is a 20 gauge powerful enough for turkeys?" This is a common question, especially for those accustomed to 12-gauge shotguns. The answer is unequivocally yes. Modern 20-gauge ammunition, particularly those specialized for turkey hunting with heavy shot loads (like Tungsten Super Shot – TSS), provides more than enough energy and pattern density to ethically harvest turkeys at significant distances.
- Benefit for Hunters: The 20-gauge chambering of the Stevens 301 Turkey significantly reduces recoil compared to a 12-gauge, making it much more comfortable to shoot, especially during patterning sessions at the range. This comfort encourages more practice, leading to greater confidence and accuracy in the field. It also makes this shotgun an excellent choice for youth hunters or those sensitive to recoil, allowing them to fully enjoy the turkey hunting experience without apprehension.
- 26-Inch Barrel: The Balance of Pattern and Portability:
- A 26-inch barrel length strikes an optimal balance for a turkey gun. It's long enough to achieve excellent patterning with an extra-full choke, ensuring consistent pellet distribution.
- Benefit for Hunters: Yet, it remains compact enough for easy maneuverability in dense brush, blinds, or when navigating through thick woods. This length contributes to the shotgun's overall balance, making it comfortable to carry for extended periods and quick to shoulder when a shot opportunity arises.
- Break-Open Action: Simplicity and Reliability:
- The Stevens 301 Turkey features a classic break-open, single-shot action. This mechanism is incredibly simple, with very few moving parts, which translates directly to unmatched reliability in all weather conditions. There's less to go wrong, making it a dependable choice when a hunt's success hinges on a single, crucial shot.
- Benefit for Hunters: This design is also very easy to load and unload, and a single shot forces hunters to make that one shot count, fostering disciplined shooting. Its simplicity makes it easy to maintain and clean after a long day in the field.
- 3-Inch Chamber: Versatility in Ammunition Choice:
- The ability to chamber 3-inch shotgun shells allows the Stevens 301 Turkey to utilize the most powerful and effective turkey loads available on the market, including those heavy-payload 3-inch 20-gauge options that deliver superior pattern density and downrange energy.
- Benefit for Hunters: This ensures you can select the best ammunition for your specific hunting conditions and personal preferences, maximizing the shotgun's terminal performance on gobblers.
- Matte Black Receiver and Barrel with Mossy Oak Bottomland Camouflage:
- The shotgun's metallic components are finished in a non-reflective matte black, reducing glare and preventing spooking wary birds.
- The stock and forend are adorned with the highly effective Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage pattern. "What is the best camouflage for turkey hunting?" Mossy Oak Bottomland is one of the most iconic and successful patterns for turkey hunting, designed to mimic the dark, shadowy environments of flooded timber, swamps, and dense woodlands where turkeys often roost and forage. Its distinctive dark tones and strong vertical elements break up the gun's outline perfectly.
- Benefit for Hunters: This comprehensive camouflage package ensures the shotgun blends seamlessly into typical turkey habitats, making it virtually disappear to the keen eyes of a gobbler. Stealth is paramount in turkey hunting, and this aesthetic design directly contributes to your ability to remain undetected.
- Ambidextrous Hand Orientation:
- The Stevens 301 Turkey is designed with an ambidextrous stock, meaning it's equally comfortable and effective for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
- Benefit for Hunters: This universal design ensures that every hunter, regardless of their dominant hand, can achieve a comfortable and natural shooting grip and consistent sight picture, leading to better accuracy and a more enjoyable hunting experience.
- Extra-Full Choke Tube Included: Precision for Turkeys:
- The Stevens 301 Turkey comes standard with an Extra-Full choke tube, specifically designed to produce the tight, dense patterns necessary for turkey hunting. "How important is a turkey choke?" It's arguably the most critical component for turkey hunting success. An Extra-Full choke constricts the shot pattern significantly more than a standard full choke, keeping pellets tightly grouped even at extended ranges.
- Benefit for Hunters: This ensures that when you pull the trigger, the majority of your pellets are concentrated within the small vital zone of a turkey's head and neck, maximizing knockdown power and ensuring clean, ethical harvests. Patterning your shotgun with your chosen turkey load and this choke is essential to understand its performance.
Enhancing Your Hunting Experience with the Stevens 301 Turkey
Beyond its core features, the Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge (model 19618) offers several advantages that enhance the overall hunting experience:
- Lightweight Design: Weighing in at a mere 5 pounds, this shotgun is exceptionally light, making it a joy to carry through rugged terrain, especially on long scouting trips or all-day hunts. "What's a good lightweight turkey shotgun?" Its minimal weight significantly reduces fatigue, allowing hunters to stay in the field longer and remain agile when opportunities arise.
- Drilled and Tapped Receiver: The receiver of the Stevens 301 Turkey is drilled and tapped, and often comes with a factory-installed Picatinny rail. This allows for easy and secure mounting of optics, such as red dot sights or low-power scopes. "Should I put an optic on my turkey gun?" Many hunters find that a red dot sight significantly improves aiming precision, especially in low light or at longer distances, making clean headshots more attainable.
- Sling Swivel Studs: Integrated sling swivel studs allow for the easy attachment of a carrying sling, further enhancing portability and convenience during long treks to and from hunting spots.
- Affordability and Value: The Stevens 301 series is known for providing exceptional value. It offers dedicated turkey hunting features at a price point that is accessible to a wide range of hunters, making it an excellent entry point for new turkey hunters or a reliable backup gun for seasoned veterans. "What is an affordable, yet reliable, turkey shotgun?" This model consistently ranks high among recommendations for its blend of performance and cost-effectiveness.
Optimizing Your Hunt with the Stevens 301 Turkey
To truly maximize the potential of your Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge, consider these essential steps:
- Patterning Your Shotgun: This is perhaps the most critical step. Purchase several different brands and types of 20-gauge 3-inch turkey loads. Using large sheets of paper at distances of 20, 30, and 40 yards, shoot patterns to see which ammunition performs best with your shotgun's Extra-Full choke. Look for the densest, most consistent pattern within a 10-inch circle, focusing on the number of pellets in the head/neck region. This tells you your effective range and which load to trust.
- Sighting In Your Optic: If you add a red dot or scope, properly sight it in. Once you've identified your preferred ammunition, use it to zero your optic so that the point of aim matches the densest part of your pattern. This ensures precision when that gobbler steps out.
- Practice Shooting from Hunting Positions: Practice not just from a bench, but from kneeling, sitting, and even prone positions you might encounter in the field. The break-open action of the 301 Turkey is conducive to quiet, deliberate movements.
- Camouflage and Concealment: While the shotgun's Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern is excellent, remember that your personal camouflage, blind setup, and ability to remain absolutely still are equally important.
The Stevens 301 Turkey 20 Gauge (model 19618) is more than just a firearm; it's a meticulously designed tool that embodies the spirit of dedicated turkey hunting. Its combination of a lightweight 20-gauge platform, effective camouflage, reliable break-open action, and an included Extra-Full choke makes it an unbeatable package for hunters seeking efficiency and performance in the turkey woods. Whether you're calling in your first gobbler or adding another notch to your hunting belt, this shotgun is built to deliver. It's an investment in successful hunts, readily available for your next adventure at DEGuns, a trusted source for quality firearms.
Product Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Stevens 301 Turkey |
| SKU / UPC | 19618 / 011356196187 |
| Gauge | 20 Gauge |
| Action | Break Open (Single Shot) |
| Chamber | 3" (Accepts 2-3/4" & 3" Shells) |
| Barrel Length | 26" |
| Choke Tube | Extra-Full Turkey Choke (Included) |
| Finish | Matte Black |
| Stock & Forend | Mossy Oak Bottomland Camouflage |
| Hand | Ambidextrous |
| Optic Mounting | Drilled & Tapped Receiver |
| Weight | Approximately 5 lbs |
