SHOT Show 2022: Best New Shotguns for Hunters
We attended one of the biggest gun shows on the planet. Luckily, it coincides with the release of new shotguns from brands across the industry.
Each year, SHOT Show arises in January like a gun-blazing Phoenix from the ash. And each year, our team scours the floor to try and figure out what’s new for hunters.
Last year, we attended virtually. This year, we were back in person. We were able to shoot a few of the guns below at the annual Range Day. But what stuck out was how many hunting-specific brands weren’t able to attend, likely due to COVID-19 concerns.
So, out of due diligence and straight-up transparency, many of the new shotguns below weren’t technically at SHOT.
But they’re certainly new for this year. And that’s the point anyway.
New Hunting Shotguns for 2022
Browning A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen
This slick little 16-gauge shotgun feels as nice in hand as you can possibly imagine. It’s an ideal shotgun for youngsters or small folks who are looking for something light in hand yet easy to load, shoot, and operate.
Known as the “Gentleman’s Gauge,” this gun is less intimidating than the 12-gauge with more punch than the 20. I shot this 7-pound 3-ounce gun at the range, and the lightness and lack of shoulder impact were surprising in a good way.
Plus, the autoloading feature simplifies both effort and frustration. It. Is. Slick. The A5 has long been a favorite shotgun of mine, but the Sweet Sixteen levels it up.
A Cerakote finish ensures long-term durability in the blind or field. Textured surfaces combined with a close radius pistol grip make it easy to keep in hand. An oversize bolt release keeps us gloved hunters in mind. And it’s adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop.
You’ll have to drop a bit more cash on this one, but it’s likely to be one you pass down to the next generation. Or perhaps you give it to your kid and they keep it for life. The Sweet Sixteen will set you back $2,230. But hey, it’s got a long journey ahead of it.
CZ Redhead Premier
The Czech company CZ not only dropped a nice rifle line, but it doubled down on shotguns as well. And the Redhead Premier is a beautiful over-under that can get a lot of jobs done for the ambitious hunter or clay shooter.
Available in an array of gauges and lengths — including the aforementioned 16 — the Redhead Premier features a one-piece CNCed silver receiver, an auto-ejector for shells, a classy Turkish walnut stock, and a mechanical safety with barrel selector.
The bells and whistles are minimal, and light etching on the receiver adds a bit of style. It’s available in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge options, with barrel lengths from 26 to 28 inches. And it clocks in at a cool $1,075. Not too shabby.
Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey
One of two new turkey-specific guns on the list, the Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey semiauto shotgun gives rabid turkey hunters another gas-driven autoloading option for those days afield with berzerk gobblers.
Here, we also see the addition of oversized attributes for the hunter gloved up in the cold. An oversized charging handle and an oversized bolt release allow for ease of use with layers. And an autoloader means fiddling with shells isn’t a giant issue.
Offered in only a 12-gauge option (perfect for gobblers), barrel length is the only differentiator. You can choose between an 18.5-inch barrel or a 24-inch. Obviously, however you hunt dictates which you choose.
Length of pull can also be adjusted for growing hunters or dual users. Also note that the receiver is cut for a Shield RSMc red-dot sight — if you’re looking to trick out your visuals.
Pricing doesn’t hurt too badly, with an MSRP of $1,120.
Beretta A300 Ultima
The new A300 series harkens back to Beretta’s commitment to making a really nice shotgun at a really affordable rate. How affordable? Excitingly, the A300 Ultima retails at $849 for synthetic black and $949 for camo models.
And it still features Beretta’s super slick Kick Off Recoil System as standard configuration. This spring-loaded system aims to help with “enhanced stability, comfort, and control for faster target acquisition,” according to Beretta.
Offered in synthetic black and two camo patterns, the A300 Ultima also follows the pattern of bumping up sizing on controls for the gloved hunter. It also features an updated receiver with an oversized loading port.
This is a great gun at a great price. And at under 8 pounds, it’s not too heavy to be multipurpose.
TriStar Bristol Side-by-Side
New from TriStar, the Bristol harkens back to something very old. And it does it in both a badass and modern way.
The gun itself is beautiful. An English stock with select Turkish walnut and an oil finish lend a sense of reality. And receivers are available in classic etched silver or an eye-catching case-colored option.
Though the gun inspires old-world elegance on the outside, the guts are nothing but new. A top-tang safety pairs with a well-placed barrel selector for safety and accuracy. Autoejectors keep you moving afield. It’s offered in five gauges — 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 — all with a 28-inch barrel length. Weight ranges from 5 pounds (the .410) to 6.75 pounds (the 12).
Pricing isn’t obscene for this gun that I now want very badly. The case-colored option locks in at anywhere from $1,160 to $1,190 depending on gauge. And the silver option hits $1,100-1,130.
Other Guns to Watch
A few guns are technically released by not yet on manufacturers’ websites at the time of writing. So here’s a quick breakdown of a few guns to come.
Remington’s cancellation of the 870 Express called for another innovation to come to market. And shortly, the Remington 870 Fieldmaster ($600) will do just that. The Fieldmaster improves on durability (an issue with the previous Express) while also adding a drilled and tapped receiver for optics and improved action bars.
Another gun to look out for will be Benelli’s Nova Turkey ($559), a new edition to a line that is now around 30 years old. A short barrel and lightened weight offer easy carry on long, brushy walks. Benelli also will add a magazine cutoff button for extra safety in this pump-action setup.
Additionally, southpaws rejoice! A few left-handed options of existing models have been added. Winchester’s SX4 award-winning autoloading shotgun is now available for lefties and at a price point of $1,130.
Franchi did the same thing with the Affinity 3 Left-Handed autoloader, and the brand did it at a sportier price of $899. Franchi has made lefties for a long time, and adding the Inertia-driven shotgun gives lefties yet another option for comfort in the field.
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