When I think back about the hunt that got me completely hooked on the thunderous gobble of a turkey on a beautiful spring morning, I will never forget that shotgun. It was the first gun of any type I had ever purchased with my own hard-earned money. This shotgun was top-of-the-line, to me anyway. It had an interchangeable choke system, and with that came many hunting possibilities.

The next purchase was a Primos Undertaker Turkey Choke and some turkey shells before heading to the woods. I don’t even remember the option of a turkey hunting-specific shotgun at that time, and either way, I wouldn’t have been interested because I needed a multi-purpose shotgun, not something that specific.

Winchester may have listened to my thoughts from that initial purchase when they created the SXP Long Beard. Not only is it a fantastic turkey hunting shotgun, Winchester says it is also a “great all-around camp gun."

What’s so great about it?

I’m happy you asked that question because that is what we want to explore as you read.

While the first shotgun I told you about is a 12 gauge, I’ve also gained much respect for the 20 gauge in the turkey hunting world. That respect is precisely why I went with the 20 gauge version of this shotgun rather than a 12 gauge. It shouldn’t take long for you to watch our YouTube channel and to gain that same respect.

So, unless otherwise stated, the specs and features for this article will be specific to the 20-gauge version. The 12-gauge is very similar to the 20-gauge, and there will be only slight differences sometimes. Performance should be similar.

Let’s take a look at some of the specifications and features of the Winchester SXP Long Beard:

• Weight: Just under 7 lbs
• Length of pull: Adjustable, ours is set at 13 1/2"
• Overall Length: 46”
• Barrel Length: 24"
• Action: Pump
• Chamber: 2 3/4” or 3"
• Capacity: 4+1 - 2 3/4" shells
• Choke: Interchangeable Invector Plus chokes - comes stock with Extra Full Turkey Choke
• Barrel Finish: OD Green Permakote
• Winchester SXP Long Beard is also available in 12 gauge

Stock:

• The SXP Long Beard comes with a Composite Pistol Grip stock
• Adjustable LOP and interchangeable cheek pieces
• Stock is Mossy Oak Bottomland, other patterns available (Mossy Oak DNA, Mossy Oak Break Up Country, Mossy Oak Obsession, True Timber Strata)
• There are regular stock choices on the SXP, but the Long Beard version comes standard with the pistol grip

Action:

• Pump action
• Smooth cycle
• Rotary bolt with four massive lugs provides strength and solid lockup

Trigger:

• This is probably my only complaint about this shotgun
• The stock trigger is relatively heavier than I like
• We measured it between a 7-8 lb average
• Because of this, I did find myself pulling it a bit when I felt like it wasn’t breaking quickly enough
• I’ve looked for after-market options but have yet to find something I like

Barrel:

• 24" in length
• OD Green Permakote finish
• Vented rib barrel
• Interchangeable Invector Plus choke tubes -comes with Extra Full Turkey Choke

Optics:

• Sights: Fiber Optic front and rear sights
• Action is drilled and tapped for mounting optics
• We mounted a 20 MOA Picatinny rail from EGW.
• And then mounted a Williams Gunsight Low Reflex Sight (LRS) - use code REVIEWTHISTHING15 for 15% off! Watch our LRS Review HERE.

Recoil:

• There is lower recoil in the 20 gauge loads than with 12 gauge loads
• TSS Turkey loads are generally more recoil-intense than regular bird loads.
• However, we’re about to pattern test some 2 3/4" turkey loads and will link the video here

But is it the “all-around camp gun” that Winchester advertises?

I carried it squirrel hunting this past season and loved how it carries. The SXP Long Beard makes a great turkey gun and a great brush gun for rabbits or squirrels. We haven’t taken it skeet shooting yet, but I expect it to perform well for wing shooting as well.

Should You Hunt with This Gun?

At this point, hopefully, you can tell how much I like this gun. After carrying it for an entire season through the turkey woods, I could see myself hunting with this shotgun for many seasons to come. I was lucky enough to take two different birds with it last year, one of which we got on film. Based on the comfort of carrying that shorter 24" barrel, holding that pistol grip while waiting on a gobbler to get in range, and the fantastic patterns we’ve gained during pattern testing, I can’t wait to get it back in the woods this year.

Based on other people's Testimonials and reviews, the SXP Long Beard gets a 4/5.

A few complaints are listed below. (My Comments in parentheses)

• Barrel warped after shooting turkey loads for 1.5 seasons (we've shot a LOT of turkey loads in the last year and haven't had this problem)
• Manual doesn’t clearly show how to disassemble/assemble for cleaning
• A couple of people did not like the trigger and said it has too much creep (and I would add too Heavy)
• Feels too plasticky (much different than a wooden stock gun)
• Pump scrapes the sides (Ours isn't scraped, but I'm not doubting them)

But, is it the right gun for you? You know our answer to that question...” it depends."

Q: Can I shoot Remington HEVI-SHOT in my Winchester shotgun?

A: It has previously been recommended that Remington® HEVI-SHOT® shotgun shells not be used in Winchester shotguns, due to a problem with the wad used in the shells. These early model shells were produced with a clear or transparent hull and should be avoided. However, all currently manufactured HEVI-SHOT, Winchester Extended Range and other high density loads are acceptable to shoot in Winchester shotguns. These loads should be considered the same as shooting steel shot when selecting a choke tube. All choke tubes approved for steel shot are acceptable to use with high density loads.

Q: Can the safety button on the SXP be reversed from right to left hand?

A: Super X Pump (SXP) shotguns with a reversible safety button can be easily identified by the shape of the trigger guard. The newer trigger group with the larger, angled trigger guard can have the safety reversed to accommodate both right- or left-handed users. The previous trigger group with the oval-shaped trigger guard does not have a reversible safety button.

Your purchase decision basically depends on what you’re wanting.

• First, the Winchester SXP Longbeard is available in 12 gauge 3” and 3.5” inch and 20 gauge 3”
  
  • So, if you want a 28 or 410, this isn’t your gun
  • ALTHOUGH - with the new Winchester TSS loads, and the rise in popularity of those gauges as legitimate turkey killers, you never know if that will change soon
  • Also, if you want a semi auto, this isn’t the one for you either. 

But, if you’re looking for a well-built and reliable pump action, turkey specific shotgun, this might be just what you need.

• They sell for ~$550 (On Sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for $521 as of writing this article) and depending on the specific camo pattern you’re wanting, some may be harder to find than others.
• I know we always seem to be switching turkey guns each year on this channel, but as much as I enjoyed carrying this one last year and knowing I’m planning to carry it again this season, my answer to the question of Should I Buy This Thing is a 5/5!