Venerable shotgun manufacturer Stevens has been making their single-shot break-action 301 shotgun for quite some time, but the year 2020 brings three new models of the 301--and although they were designed for turkey hunting, you may just find that these fun scatterguns are perfect for beginning shotgunners, too. What's different about these new models is that they're clad in turkey-appropriate camouflage...but what makes them unique is their chambering, .410 bore. This smallest of all possible shotgun loads offers a number of benefits for beginners, chief among them that it offers virtually no recoil (as shotguns go, that is). That said, the new Stevens 301 shotguns offer a real challenge and treat for expert shooters as well.
Part of what's driving this innovation is that shooters worldwide are falling in love with the .410 all over again. As ammunition makers continue to refine shotgun loads, the .410 caliber has become popular for turkey hunters looking to test their skills. Naturally, it's still critical to create a devastating pattern that offers the skilled hunter a solid, ethical shot on the thunder chicken on which they've rested their bead. The ammunition choice will be very important, and that's why Stevens build this shotgun around Federal Ammunition's HEAVYWEIGHT TSS turkey loads.
Federal's Heavyweight TSS .410 turkey loads use their proprietary Flitecontrol wad and the extreme density of tungsten to print a perfect pattern that would definitely take a tom turkey cleanly. Essentially, what these shells give you is the performance of #5 lead...in a #9 shot. For beginning hunters (as well as those among us who've done it before but are very recoil sensitive), being able to focus on the game without worrying about developing an anticipatory flinch is a real boon. Federal also reports that hunters are already making ethical turkey harvests at distances up to 40 yards!
“We built the 301 Turkey guns around Federal’s Heavyweight TSS turkey loads,” Jessica Treglia, Sr. brand manager at Savage Arms, said. “These shotguns are light, which makes them easy to hold still while you’re calling in birds. The 26-inch barrel produces a tight pattern, which allows hunters to take ethical shots at longer ranges. If you’re up to the challenge of hunting with a .410, you’ll love the 301 Turkey models.”
The Stevens 301 Turkey The Stevens 301 Turkey, a light, fast-handling shotgun boasts a removable one-piece rail that makes it easy to equip with an optic. They’re available in Mossy Oak® Bottomland and Obsession camouflage options. For those who want a larger bore, the 301 also comes in 20 gauge and 12 gauge. MSRP: $219-239 depending upon model chosen. Click here for more information!
301 Turkey Specifications:
- Single-shot, break-action shotgun
- Synthetic stock and fore-end with Mossy Oak Bottomland camo
- 26-inch barrel optimized for Federal Premium HEAVYWEIGHT TSS turkey loads
- 3-inch chamber
- Swivel studs on stock and fore-end
- Removable one-piece rail for optional optic or red dot
- Bead sight compatible with TruGlo sight systems
- Extra-full choke included (Win. choke pattern ½-32UN)
- Manual hammer blocking safety
- MSRP $219-$239 depending upon model.
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