Charles Daly 301 Turkey Pump Shotgun, 20 Gauge, 24″ Barrel
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Charles Daly 301 Turkey is a purpose-built 20-gauge pump-action shotgun featuring a 24-inch vent-rib barrel and Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish specifically engineered for turkey hunting and field utility applications. Chambered for 3-inch shells and weighing 6.8 pounds, it employs a Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke system and includes four choke tubes for versatile patterning. The Picatinny rail receiver and fiber-optic front sight provide immediate optic mounting capability and low-light target acquisition.
What is the Charles Daly 301 Turkey Pump Shotgun used for?
This shotgun is designed primarily for turkey hunting where 40-yard ethical shots require tight patterns and quick follow-ups. The 24-inch barrel provides optimal balance for swinging through brush while the included XXF (extra-full) choke delivers dense patterns with turkey-specific loads. I've found it equally capable for predator control and upland bird hunting when paired with modified or improved cylinder chokes.
How does the Charles Daly 301 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The Charles Daly 301 delivers superior reliability in adverse conditions and faster follow-up shots compared to the break-action Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. While the Stevens 555 offers two immediate choke options and traditional aesthetics, the 301's pump action cycles 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably without adjustment and withstands mud/debris that would jam an over/under's mechanism. For pure hunting durability, the 301 outperforms; for clays and formal hunting, the Stevens Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge 30in Walnut O/U Shotgun review provides better balance.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 6.8 pounds unloaded and measures 44.25 inches overall with a 24-inch barrel featuring a 3-inch chamber. The synthetic stock has a 14-inch length of pull that accommodates most adult shooters wearing winter layers, while the vent rib adds 5mm of height for consistent sight alignment. The Picatinny rail section measures 3.5 inches long with standard 1913-spec mounting slots.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun isn't suitable for competitive clay shooting where faster swinging and lighter guns dominate—the 6.8-pound weight and hunting-focused balance make it sluggish on crossing targets. Left-handed shooters should avoid it due to the right-side-only safety position, and those requiring magnum capabilities should consider our the Stevens 334 .308 Win rifle instead for larger game. The fixed synthetic stock also lacks adjustability for youth or petite shooters.
What's in the box?
The package includes the shotgun with mounted fiber-optic front sight, four choke tubes (Full, Modified, Extended Ported, and XXF Turkish), a choke tube wrench, and owner's manual. The chokes utilize Beretta/Benelli Mobil threads and are constructed from heat-treated stainless steel rated for 1500 rounds between inspections. You'll need to purchase optics and ammunition separately—it ships without even a single dummy round for function testing.
Is the Charles Daly 301 worth it at $322.99?
At $322.99, this represents exceptional value for a dedicated hunting tool that outperforms many shotguns costing twice as much in reliability testing. The included $120 worth of Mobil chokes and camo finish would add $200+ to a base model, while the 24-inch barrel provides ideal handling for blind hunting. Compared to modifying a field shotgun with turkey features, the 301 arrives ready for season at approximately 60% of the total build cost.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.8 lb — 1.2 lb lighter than Remington 870 Turkey models
- Includes 4 choke tubes ($120 value) with XXF turkey configuration
- Picatinny rail accepts any micro red dot mounting system
- 3-inch chamber handles 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably
Trade-offs
- Right-side-only safety problematic for left-handed shooters
- Synthetic stock lacks checkering — requires grip tape for wet conditions
- No sling swivels included — adds $25-40 for installation
- Vent rib collects debris — requires cleaning every 50 rounds in dusty environments
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800948975 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.421 |
| action | Pump Action |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | Full/Modified/Ext Ported XXF |
| color | Mossy Oak Bottomland |
| model | 301 |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 8.0 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Benelli choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke threads identical to Benelli's M2 and UltraLight models. The included chokes are manufactured to SAAMI spec and interchange with any Mobil-system tube from Patternmaster, Carlson's, or Briley.
- Does it fit in a standard 45-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, the 44.25-inch overall length allows 0.75 inches of clearance in most 45-inch hard cases. For field transport, I recommend SKB's 47-inch takedown case for added protection during vehicle transport over rough terrain.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Standard shipping to Montana addresses takes 5-7 business days via FedEx Ground from our Wyoming distribution center. FFL items require additional 24-hour processing for background checks and documentation verification before shipment.
- Can I return it if the choke threads are damaged?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for manufacturing defects including damaged choke threads—we'll cover shipping both ways. Field damage from cross-threading or improper installation voids warranty coverage and requires gunsmith repair at approximately $85-120.