So I was one of the guys that said I would "never" shoot TSS. I guess at the time I forgot that you should never say never... at least about some things. Lead turkey loads have done just fine for me in the past, mostly number 5 shot in the federal Magshok line. When that went away I've played around with lead loads and different chokes in my NWTF 1300 for awhile. Got great loads with Long Beads from Winchester but they were almost too tight and had some inconsistencies for me. The last couple years I've shot the new Grand Slam ammo in 5s and 6s. They have done ok but I always wanted a bit more at 35-40yds just for extra confidence. I shoot most of my turkeys under 35 anyway and would never suggest shooting beyond 40yd anyway.
Then I bought a CZ 1012, long story short can't get aftermarket chokes for it unless you go custom. So I bought some apex 9s and tried them through a full choke. Man was I impressed! 215 in the ten inch circle at 40yd and a very forgiving pattern. Killed a couple southern birds with already this season. Today I ran the same apex load through my 1300 with an x-full choke and it put up 249 in the ten with yet a still pretty forgiving pattern in close. I think I'm sold on tss through a more open choke for a wider pattern and more forgiving pattern out to 40yd. Thanks for reading!
