Shotgun & sight review: The SX4 Turkey shotgun and RXS-250 reflex sight make a deadly duo

My first long beard hunt was a call, run and gun affair using a 12-gauge waterfowl shotgun and goose loads. While the hunt garnered my first tom, it also altered my perspective on turkey hunting. Many a shotgun can kill a turkey, but I started to question whether I was missing out on the mystique and tradition a dedicated turkey shotgun could bring to the hunt. Since I would no more take a waterfowl shotgun on a pheasant hunt than I would a predator rifle on an elk hunt, a change was needed.

In the ensuing years, I tried several iron-sighted turkey guns, but as myriad hunting seasons faded into my rear-view mirror, the inevitable became obvious: I needed a better gun and sighting combo if I wanted to continue making lethal long-range head-and-neck shots. I found the answer with Winchester’s SX4 NWTF Cantilever Turkey shotgun paired with Bushnell’s RXS-250 Reflex Sight.

The Cantilever Turkey is a spin-off of the very popular SX4, both of which owe their origins to what Winchester refers to as “the bulletproof Active Valve System what was the core foundation of the SX3.” Building on that, the SX4 models offer improved controls, internal operating components and overall balance.

As for the Cantilever Turkey specifically, it sports a synthetic stock with improved ergonomics, textured gripping surfaces, a rounder grip and a non-glare Mossy Oak Obsession camo finish. The stock also includes an Inflex technology recoil pad to direct felt recoil down and away from the cheek, along with adjustable length-of-pull spacers for an ideal fit.

Mechanically, the gun features back-bored technology for optimum shot patterns, a chrome-plated chamber and bore for wear and corrosion protection, and a 24-inch barrel with an Invector-plus extra-full turkey choke. It also comes with a Truglo fibre-optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight that gathers light for quick target acquisition. The Weaver-style cantilever rail, meanwhile, makes it easy to attach a scope or electronic sight, such as the RXS-250 Reflex Sight I opted to include.

Also notable are the gun’s Quadra-vent ports, which vent gases for cleaner operation, and the drop-out trigger group for easy cleaning. Finally, the ambidextrous cross-bolt safety is easily reversible.

TEST RESULTS

My evaluation of the Cantilever Turkey and RXS-250 combo was based on its performance both at the range and during a turkey hunt in Washington state, which boasts an awesome turkey population. But first things first. The gun weighed in at seven pounds four ounces—four ounces less than its advertised weight. While the trigger pull varied between six pounds two ounces and six pounds six ounces, it had a fair degree of creep. That’s not unusual for a shotgun, but for a sighted turkey gun where some level of precision is required, I would have preferred less pull weight, with no creep.

Next came mounting the RXS-250 on the cantilever—it took but minutes. I finalized the prep work with a Bushnell laser bore-sighter, which indicated an elevation adjustment was required. After that, it was dead on at 40 yards, so no further adjustments were necessary—no wasted ammo on sighting-in here.

With its shorter barrel, the Cantilever Turkey handled with ease. It was quick on point, and the action was as fast as the blink of an eye, throwing hulls at least 10 feet. And there was no need for an aftermarket choke, as the included Invector-plus tube delivered outstanding patterns. I also appreciated the option of attaching a sling for a run-and-gun hunt or hiking to and from a blind. I should note there was a fair degree of recoil with the heavy magnum loads.

As for the RXS-250 sight, it substantially improved my point of aim. I loved its compact size and low profile, and it was a breeze to use. And I liked how the brightness settings afforded use in broad daylight (also see “RXS-250 Reflex Sight).

On the range, I patterned 10 premium turkey loads at 40 yards using Birchwood Casey turkey splatter targets. I was mightily impressed with the performance of both the gun and the sight. which delivered beyond my expectations.

Using the head of the turkey as my point of aim on the targets, I only recorded the instantly lethal hits to the brain and neck vertebra. Nine of the 10 loads I tested provided multiple hits within that zone, but Winchester Long Beard XR (#6 shot) easily stole the show with 23. Not only did it provide extremely dense lethal patterns at 40 yards on the range, it also proved deadly at 50 yards and beyond during my Washington hunt.

While Long Beard XR had the most lethal hits, I wouldn’t overlook Federal Premium Mag-Shok High Velocity Turkey (#6 shot) and Kent Turkey Ultimate Turkey Diamond Shot (#5), which both had 16 lethal hits. The same goes for Remington Nitro Turkey (# 6) and Winchester Long Beard XR (#5), which had 15 lethal hits apiece.

On my Washington hunt, meanwhile, the gun, optic and ammo delivered in spades. Using the head as my point of aim, they provided instant kills on a 10-inch bearded tom that tried to sneak past our blind at 51 yards, and on a second bird at 48 yards. I was equally impressed with the hunt itself. As non-residents, my son, Brent, and I hunted with local guide Randy Lothspeich of Jokers Wild, and we each took two toms. Test successfully completed.

THE RIFLE SPECS

• Gauge: 12
• Weight: 7 lb 8 oz
• Barrel length: 24″
• Chamber length: 3½”
• Total length: 45″
• Length of pull: 14¼”
• Drop at comb: 1¾”
• Drop at heel: 2″
• Magazine capacity: 4 x 2¾” shells
• Choke: Extra-full turkey

For the complete range test results, go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/sxrtest.

RXS-250 REFLEX SIGHT

While I briefly considered a conventional lower-powered scope, I quickly turned my attention to a compact, lightweight red dot sight that offered plenty of eye relief and was fast on point. The RXS-250 fit the bill. It offers a clear 4 MOA dot with 10 brightness settings, and the LED creates a clean beam and strong dot that allows brightness settings for either clear day viewing or low light. The reflector lens design, meanwhile, offers a large field of view, and the fully multi-coated optics with True Tone colour afford accurate colour representation and high light transmission. Overall, the sight promises outstanding battery life, with 50,000 hours at the mid-setting.

Readily mounted on shotguns, the RXS-250 is completely dust- and waterproof, while the rugged aluminum housing ensures the glass and electronics are protected. Plus, the overall design conveniently affords detented windage/elevation adjustment with1 MOA per click, and the chamfered hood edges protect the sight from potential snags on clothing or natural obstructions. Finally, the RXS-250 comes with a protective form-fit cover, Weaver style mount and Bushnell’s Ironclad Lifetime Warranty.

THE SCOPE SPECS

• Adjustment range: 100+ MOA
• MOA per rev: 28
• Objective lens: 1x24mm
• Minimum parallax : 50 yards
• Brightness setting: 10
• Reticle: 4 MOA Dot
• Weight: 1.4 oz
• Battery: CR2032 lithium