Range Report: Mossberg International Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey Shotgun

It’s probably safe to presume that most turkey hunters tote a semi-auto or pump-action shotgun into the woods each spring. For many, it may even be the same gun they use for waterfowl or upland game in the fall. Both types are readily available, come in reasonably affordable field models and offer some advantages—the capacity for at least two shells in the magazine being a notable benefit.

Having additional shells on tap is a virtual necessity for wing-shooters, who may have opportunities at multiple birds or may miss a bird and require a follow-up shot (or two). When things go right in the turkey woods, though, a second shot is rarely needed, let alone a third. This may be partly why break-action single-shot and over-under shotguns have found a solid foothold among turkey diehards, particularly those who carry a dedicated turkey rig. Single shots are generally lightweight and compact, which is certainly appreciated; however, due to their independent barrels, over-unders provide even more of an advantage.

Today’s turkey guns and choke tubes, combined with Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) loads, can produce incredibly tight patterns that are devastating out to 60 and even 70 yards. This is great for birds that hang up beyond the traditional 40-yard line, but these packed patterns often leave little margin for error up close. An over-under with a tightly constricted choke in one barrel and a more open choke in the other is the ideal solution, easy to hit with at short range and lethal when the distance stretches. The new Mossberg International Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey perfectly plays this role.

Like other guns in the Mossberg International line, the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey is produced in Turkey. While this may have stoked quality concerns in the past, many Turkish-made shotguns now rival those manufactured elsewhere. This gun is no exception.

The over-under features a durable break-action design with dual-locking lugs for reliable operation and utilizes extractors to pull spent shells toward a hunter’s waiting fingers rather than launching them beyond reach. Pushing a standard top-mounted locking lever to the right opens the action and presents chambers for loading or unloading.

The Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey has a single selective mechanical trigger and, behind the locking lever, a tang-mounted safety and barrel selector. The selective mechanical trigger is important for two reasons. If you’re using a full or extra-full turkey choke in one barrel and an improved cylinder choke in the other, you can use the barrel selector to quickly switch between the two as the situation dictates. With a mechanical trigger, as opposed to an inertia trigger, you’re also guaranteed a second shot whether the first barrel fires or not.

Clad in Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo, the over-under is available in 12, 20 or 28 gauge, and all versions have a 14 1/2-inch length of pull. This is a standard length of pull that fits a variety of hunters, and it felt comfortable to me while shooting and over the course of several hunts. The 12 gauge I tested has 3 1/2-inch chambers, while 20- and 28-gauge versions feature 3-inch chambers to accommodate modern sub-gauge turkey loads.

Having a 28-gauge offering in a dedicated turkey gun speaks to the advancement of high-density TSS loads, and longer chambers capitalize on the development of new 3-inch 28-gauge offerings.

All versions of the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey have 20-inch barrels that, along with their chambers, are chrome-lined for corrosion resistance. Mossberg includes three removable, extended choke tubes—two XX-full turkey and one improved cylinder—which lets hunters choose between ultimate versatility or ultimate performance.

An over-under with 20-inch barrels is a very compact, maneuverable scattergun. Sub-gauge versions of the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey are 37 3/4 inches long, and the 12 gauge is 38 1/4 inches long. All are shorter than most pump-action and semi-auto shotguns, which makes this gun well suited for traipsing through the turkey woods or quietly maneuvering inside a pop-up blind.

I like slings on my turkey guns, and the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey accommodates with sling-swivel studs on the bottom barrel and the synthetic stock. Outfitted with a sling, the 6 3/4-pound gun proved a comfortable carry for me on several spring hunts. (Sub-gauge variants are even lighter at 6 1/2 pounds.) With its light weight and short length, the Mossberg over-under is also easy to tote in hand when navigating difficult terrain or obstacles.

Unlike many turkey guns, the Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey doesn’t have a dovetailed receiver or built-in rail for optics. However, I was able to mount a Bushnell RXC-200 micro red dot to the vent rib using Warne’s Red-Dot Shotgun Rib Reflex Mount (6108M). The Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey’s vent rib is relatively low, so the optic ended up fairly tight to the barrel, which I appreciated. I’ve found the less I have to raise my cheek from the stock, the better when looking through red dots. Hunters who prefer a more traditional approach have a fiber-optic front bead at their disposal.

At the range, I fired four different TSS loads at 40 yards and for each pattern counted the number of pellets inside a 10-inch circle. I repeated the test three times with each load. The various TSS loads proved highly effective, with many putting hundreds of pellets in the circle. Apex Ammunition’s Mossy Oak Greenleaf load with 2 1/4 ounces of No. 9 and 10 TSS produced the best pattern of the test, scoring an incredible 479 hits on one shot and an average of 453 hits over three shots. Winchester’s new Long Beard TSS also performed very well, scoring an average of 436 hits.

It’s worth noting that recoil can be a bit stout with shells having heavier payloads. The buttstock’s rubber recoil pad, while serviceable, won’t keep you from feeling it when you touch off a magnum turkey load. One load I tested, Hevi-Shot’s 2 3/4-inch, 1 1/4-ounce Hevi-18 TSS Turkey—marketed as a “reduced recoil” load—was more pleasant to shoot while still providing plenty of lethal pellets downrange. However, given the effectiveness of modern turkey loads, I’d probably opt for the 20-gauge version next time. Considering how much I liked using the 12-gauge Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey, I suspect the smaller version would be an absolute joy in the springtime woods.

SPECIFICATIONS: Mossberg International Silver Reserve Eventide Turkey

• Type: over-under shotgun
• Gauge: 12 (tested)
• Chambers: 3 1/2"
• Barrel: 20"; 1 IC and 2 XX-full extended choke tubes included
• Trigger: single selective mechanical; 6.4-lb. pull weight
• Safety: tang-mounted slide with barrel selector
• Sight: front fiber optic
• Stock: synthetic with Mossy Oak Greenleaf finish; 14 1/2" LOP
• Metal Finish: Mossy Oak Greenleaf
• Overall Length: 38 1/4"
• Weight: 6 3/4 lbs.
• MSRP: $952

PATTERN RESULTS:

Brand: Apex Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS

Payload: 2 1/4 oz.

Shot Size: No. 9 and 10

Muzzle Velocity: 1,190 fps

Pellets in 10” Circle: 453

Brand: Browning TSS Tungsten Turkey

• Payload: 2 1/4 oz.
• Shot Size: No. 7 and 9
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,200 fps
• Pellets in 10” Circle: 197

Brand: Hevi-Shot Hevi-18 TSS Turkey

• Payload: 1 1/4 oz.
• Shot Size: No. 9
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,090 fps
• Pellets in 10” Circle: 117

Brand: Winchester Long Beard TSS

• Payload: 2 3/8 oz.
• Shot Size: No. 9
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,150 fps
• Pellets in 10” Circle: 436

Muzzle velocity is as reported by manufacturer. Pellets in 10-inch circle is the average of three consecutive patterns fired from a rest at 40 yards. Choke tube: Mossberg XX-full.

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• This article was featured in the April 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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