A good turkey shotgun may not be one of the first things that comes to mind when you're putting together your collection, but it's one of those things you don't realize you need until, well, you need one. For decades, turkey hunters simply utilized their existing game bird guns for their turkey hunts, but times have definitely changed. Now, there are a whole host of turkey-specific guns to stop that gobbler in their tracks.
In the past, we've highlighted full custom builds, where every component was hand-selected. In the case of Riza L's Weatherby SA-459 shotgun, the customization was simply adding a DeltaPoint Pro red dot optic to an already game-specific shotgun.
The result is a stock turkey gun that has played a pivotal role in numerous successful hunts. And not only on Riza's hunts; this gun has made the rounds, helping numerous Leupold employees fill a tag.
So what turns a normal shotgun into a gobbler slayer? The first thing you'll notice is the pistol grip stock. While these have been around for some time in the tactical shotgun segment, hunters are now adopting this design because it allows for a firmer grip and quicker target acquisition. On the inside, the dual-valve gas system helps reduce recoil, which is key since it only weighs 6.75 lbs. Combine that with the extended, extra-full choke for tighter patterns, and this gun is ready to roll right out of the box.
Of course, we think the best feature might be the optics-ready Picatinny rail already installed atop the gun. While it has a traditional fiber-optic bead for quick target acquisition in different lighting situations, red dots like the DeltaPoint Pro provide flexibility and relentless speed when it comes to shooting gobblers. Riza opted to use the DP Pro with the 2.5 minute of angle (MOA) dot and our low-profile cross-slot mount. This specific one came out of our Custom Shop.
"The DP Pro really allows me to focus on the action, so I'm not trying to split my focus between the bead and the bird. I just put the dot on the turkey and BOOM!"
This gun's feature-set makes it ideal for the beginner and veteran turkey hunter alike. The controls, ergonomics, and red dot sight are intuitive, while it's reliable performance makes it the last thing you'll worry about in the field.
