Best Pump-Action Shotguns For Hunting [Field Tested]

We put tried and true pump-action shotguns through their paces to see which ones are fit for the field.

Pump actions are workhorses, do-all shotguns. Well suited for pheasant, grouse and turkey, as they are for duck, dove and geese. In some parts of the country, add deer to the list. Plus, they can dust clay targets and defend your home.

They are dependable hunting shotguns that don’t care if it is raining or snowing, nor if it is searing hot or frigid cold, they will cycle as long as you pump the fore-end. Pump-action shotguns are also not finicky about the shells you feed them. They will run ultra-light target loads to heavy, shoulder-kicking goose loads without issue. Pump guns perform.

For the most part, they are inexpensive, require minimal care, and will last for years. The sure sign of a good pump-action shotgun is one that is worn and well-used.

All pump- or slide-action shotguns work the same, but as you shoot them, you find some models are better suited for specific tasks. Some swing better and cycle smoother. While others are easier to load and unload. Some are natural pointers and manage recoil better.

I haven’t included classics on this list like the Winchester Model 12, Ithaca 37 or Remington Model 31. All those shotguns had their day, though I do have an Ithaca Model 37 in 16 gauge that I like to quail hunt with. This list contains the five best pump-action shotguns available today.

How I Chose The Best Pump-Action Shotguns

A sore shoulder and worn boot leather are the only way to know the difference between one pump-action shotgun from another. Or plenty of time at the trap or skeet range. I’ve been hunting upland birds since I was able to get my hunting license. A good portion of that time has been behind a pump gun. That’s the worn boot leather part. The sore shoulder part comes from using 3.5-inch 12-gauge shells, trying to call in ducks or convince a tom to come and see me. Don’t discount the pump gun with clay pigeons. Pump guns are just as comfortable with skeet, trap and sporting clays as they are in the field. This is my short list of the top five best pump-action shotguns available today.

Best Pump-Action Shotguns Specs Comparison

Model	Gauges	Chamber (inches)	Barrel Type	Barrel Length (inches)	Overall Length (inches)	Weight (pounds)	Barrel Finish	Choke	LOP (inches)	Sights	Stock Material	Stock Finish	MSRP
Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Waterfowl	12	3.5	Vent Rib	28	48.75	7.75	Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades	Accu-Mag	14	Front Fiber Optic	Polymer	Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades	$661
Remington Model 870 Wingmaster	12	3	Light Contour Vent Rib	28	48.5	7	Hi-Gloss	Rem Choke	14.25	Twin Bead	American Walnut	Hi-Gloss	$600
Remington Model 870 Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever	12	3	Fully Rifled	23	43.5	8	Black	N/A	14	Open	Polymer	Black	$600
Mossberg 500 Turkey	12	3	Vent Rib	20	40.25	7	Mossy Oak Obsession	X-Factor Ported Tube	13.87	Front Fiber Optic	Polymer	Mossy Oak Obsession	$683
Savage 320 Combo	12	3	Vent Rib	28 & 18.5	48.7 & 38.2	7.6	Black	Win Choke	13.75	Twin Bead	Polymer	Black	$239

Best Pump-Action Shotguns

Best Waterfowl Pump-Action Shotgun: Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag
Best Upland Pump-Action Shotgun: Remington Model 870 Wingmaster
Best Deer Pump-Action Shotgun: Remington Model 870 Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever
Best Turkey Pump-Action Shotgun: Mossberg 500 Turkey
Best Budget Pump-Action Shotgun: Savage 320 Combo

Best Waterfowl Pump-Action Shotgun: Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Waterfowl

835 Ulti-Mag Specs
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3.5″
Barrel Type: Vent Rib
Barrel Length: 28″
Overall Length: 48.75″
Weight: 7.75 lbs.
Choke: Accu-Mag
Capacity: 5+1
LOP: 14″
Sights: Front Fiber Optic
Stock Material: Polymer
Stock Finish: Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades
Barrel Finish: Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades
MSRP: $661

In 1988, Mossberg introduced a new shotgun and a new 12-gauge 3-1/2-inch shell. That shotgun was the model 835 Ulti-Mag pump-action shotgun, which completely changed the way we hunt waterfowl. Turkey, too.

With non-toxic shot requirement laws coming into effect at that time, the 3-1/2-inch shell provided power and punch with steel shot in a relatively lightweight shotgun. As steel shot was mandated, goose and duck hunters were turning to 10-gauge shotguns to get the range and power needed to drop birds.

The 12-gauge 835 could do everything that a 10-gauge shotgun could do, but with the 3-1/2-inch shell, as well as shoot 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch shells all out of the same gun. The 835 has a barrel overbored to 10-gauge dimensions for the entire length of the barrel, which means less pellet deformation for tighter and more uniform patterns.

I’m not going to lie, the recoil with a 3-1/2-inch shell will shake the fillings out of your teeth. The first time I used the 835 was puddle jumping mallards. One shot, two ducks. I have a pal who uses one religiously for turkey hunting. The fore-end rattles a bit, so be aware.

835 Ulti-Mag Deals

Sportsman’s Warehouse	$560
Guns.com	$502

Best Upland Pump-Action Shotgun: Remington Model 870 Wingmaster

870 Wingmaster Specs
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3″
Barrel Type: Light Contour Vent Rib
Barrel Length: 28″
Overall Length: 48.5″
Weight: 7 lbs.
Choke: Rem Choke
Capacity: 4+1
LOP: 14.25″
Sights: Twin Bead
Stock Material: American Walnut
Stock Finish: Hi-Gloss
Barrel Finish: Hi-Polished Blued
MSRP: $600

No discussion of pump guns is complete without the Remington Model 870. I’m happy RemArms, the new resuscitated Remington, is getting their act together after bankruptcy and continuing to produce this iconic and classic pump gun in a variety of variants.

These pumps are easy to carry, have a slick action with dual-action bars and are probably the best pump shotgun available. I can’t count the number of 870s I’ve used over the years—hand-me-downs with fixed chokes to inexpensive Express models and ritzy Wingmasters. All were chambered in either 12, 16 or 20 gauge. The 16-gauge models are long gone, but 12 and 20 gauges, as well as .410 bore, are still in production.

Before bankruptcy, some 870 weren’t up to snuff, but the new RemArm seems to be paying more attention to quality control.

The Wingmaster has style with a chrome bolt, deep bluing, and diamond-patterned checkered American walnut. That’s wood for all of you upland hunters who cut your teeth with plastic, synthetic stocks. The balance and swing of 870 makes it a natural pointer. I prefer a 12-gauge Wingmaster model for pheasant, and a 20-gauge model for grouse and quail. The 20-gauge weighs slightly less than the 12-gauge model. I definitely favor a 12-gauge for clay targets.

Model 870 Wingmaster Deals

Guns.com

$266

Best Deer Pump-Action Shotgun: Remington Model 870 Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever

Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever Specs
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3″
Barrel Type: Fully Rifled
Barrel Length: 23″
Overall Length: 43.5″
Weight: 8 lbs.
Choke: N/A
Capacity: 4+1
LOP: 14″
Sights: Open
Stock Material: Polymer
Stock Finish: American Walnut
Barrel Finish: Satin Black
MSRP: $600

I grew up in slug gun deer country. Many times, the pump shotgun I used for birds was used on deer. That meant rifled slugs in a smoothbore barrel. My sights consisted of a brass bead. Accuracy was ok, but I always felt a bit undergunned, and the deer always knew to keep just out of range.

The Fieldmaster Fully Rifled Cantilever changed that. Not only does it offer accuracy, but also consistency and the ability to shoot longer distances with sabot slugs. The Cantilever allows mounting of a low-power optic-duplex cross hairs are much easier to aim with than a brass bead. And because the optic is mounted to the barrel, there is no shift in zero, especially when you remove the barrel to clean the gun.

The fully rifled barrel also uses sabot slugs for better accuracy out to 150 yards than rifled slugs.

Best Turkey Pump-Action: Mossberg 500 Turkey

500 Turkey Specs
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3″
Barrel Type: Vent Rib
Barrel Length: 20″
Overall Length: 40.25″
Weight: 7 lbs.
Choke: X-Factor Ported Tube
Capacity: 5+1
LOP: 13.87″
Sights: Front Fiber Optic
Stock Material: Polymer
Stock Finish: Mossy Oak Obsession
Barrel Finish: Mossy Oak Obsession
MSRP: $683

The Mossberg Model 500 has been in constant production since 1961 and at last count, some 12 million of these pump shotguns have been built. Suffice it to say the Model 500 is a proven design with a long track record.

The 500s are not the most elegant-looking pump guns, but they do get the job done. The ones built for turkey hunting come in 12 or 20 gauge and .410 bore. I have used 12-gauge and .410 models for turkey and like them because they are no-brainers to operate in the field. There is no need to baby them or worry about scuffing them up either. The Model 500 is anything but a safe queen.

The dual extractor and twin-action bars make for a relatively smooth action. The forend rattles a little, so you need to manage that when a tom gets curious. The ambidextrous safety falls under the thumb of your firing hand if you are left or right-handed.

My longest shot with a 12-gauge variant on a tom was 50 yards. One and done.

If the thought of 12-gauge recoil stifles your enthusiasm, try the 20 or .410 models. Turkey loads have evolved, and I swear by Federal Heavyweight TSS loads in .410. These rounds are expensive, but they produce tight patterns at distances that lead shot can’t match.

The receiver of the .410 bore model 500 is scaled down so the shotgun is lighter. Newer 20-gauge and .410 models are optic-ready or come from the factory with a red dot sight, if you want to get all high-tech during turkey season. For a full camo finish pump-action turkey gun, it’s hard to beat the Model 500.

500 Turkey Deals

Scheels	$500
Sportsman’s Warehouse	$540

Best Budget Pump-Action Shotgun: Savage 320 Combo

320 Combo Specs
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3″
Barrel Type: Vent Rib
Barrel Length: 28″ & 18.5″
Overall Length: 48.7″, 38.2″
Weight: 7.6 lbs.
Choke: WinChoke
Capacity: 5+1
LOP: 13.75″
Sights: Twin Bead
Stock Material: Polymer
Stock Finish: Black
Barrel Finish: Matte Black
MSRP: $239

If you are looking for an inexpensive, do-all 12-gauge pump shotgun, then the Savage 320 Combo is a great choice. I’ve used Model 320s in a variety of model variants and I like what Savage has done.

First off, the 320 is similar to the discontinued Winchester model 1300 pump, and Savage upgraded that design with a polymer stock and longer fore-end. The longer fore-end ensures your hand doesn’t get pinched between the receiver and the back end of the slide when pumping the gun. This is helpful, especially for small-stature shooters who don’t have the reach to grasp the fore-end farther toward the muzzle. The action cycles exceptionally smoothly for such an inexpensive pump gun. That’s due to the proven rotary bolt and dual slide bars.

The Combo model comes with a 28-inch vent rib barrel and an 18-inch plain barrel. Use the longer barrel for birds and the shorter for home defense or even deer hunting with rifled slugs. Savage keeps the cost down by only including one choke tube, but the 320s use the Windchoke tubes. Carlson’s Windchoke tubes cost less than $20, so you can get one in cylinder or skeet for clay target busting and a full tube for turkey and ducks.

Scheels	$260
Sportsman’s Warehouse	$220

Managing 12-Gauge Recoil In Pump-Action Shotguns

If there is one thing that pump-action shotguns don’t do well, it is managing recoil. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who has fired a 3.5-inch 12-gauge shell. Yep, those shells will give your shoulder a nudge.

A technique to help better manage recoil is the push-pull method. With your support hand, push the fore-end toward the muzzle while at the same time pulling back on the pistol grip with your firing hand just before firing a round. It is like you are trying to pull the shotgun apart. Don’t overdo and ruin your shot, but just enough. You will feel the difference right away. This shooting technique minimizes the punishing recoil impulse the 12-gauge doles out.

Rifled Slugs Vs. Sabot Slugs

Use rifled slugs in smoothbore shotgun barrels, and sabot slugs in rifled shotgun barrels. Rifled slugs have grooves in the base of the slug to allow the slug to pass through the choke tube. The rifle’s slug never really twists; that’s why accuracy is not spectacular, nor is the effective range very long.

Sabot slugs use a slug inside a polymer sleeve. The rifling in the barrel grips the sleeve to spin and stabilize the slug, so accuracy is better, and range is longer. If you have a smooth-bore shotgun barrel that uses choke tubes, try a rifled choke tube, which will allow you to shoot sabot slugs with better accuracy.

Shotgun Combo Packages

Many manufacturers offer combo packages with pump-action shotguns. This means the shotgun comes with two barrels. Typically, one barrel has a vent rib and removable choke tubes and is perfect for birds, while the other is set up for deer hunting with a scope mount or open sights. Some offer turkey and waterfowl combos. These combos are cost-effective and allow you to easily swap barrels depending on the game you’re after.