Spring gobbler season on the sandhills and fall ducks on the sound ask the same thing of a shotgun: reliability in wet weather. The Winchester SX4 Hybrid Hunter fits both. It is a 12 gauge with a 3.5 inch chamber, a 26 inch barrel and a four-round capacity, in FDE and TrueTimber camouflage.

The 3.5 inch chamber lets you shoot heavy turkey loads and big waterfowl shells, along with any shorter shell. That flexibility is why so many hunters keep one gun for several seasons. The gas-operated semi-auto action softens recoil, so long days in the blind or at the turkey tree are easier on the shoulder. Wipe it down after wet weather and store it dry, because North Carolina humidity is hard on steel.

The FDE and TrueTimber pattern is the dressed-for-the-woods look. Camouflage covers the stock and forend, and the finish helps the gun resist weather and rust. A 26 inch barrel strikes a balance between handling in tight cover and swing on a flying bird.

Bring extra chokes for different quarry. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is done at pickup.