TSS shot size

[Bowguy]

I'm a recent tss guy at all. I've got 11 turkey guns currently and 2 are set for it. I was dead set against tss but it's got its place.
So I patterned 9s and 7.5s. 
Off a bench and in a cradle. Didn't want variability as the stuff is expensive.
The 7.5s are in every way superior. I was shooting at a piece of plywood shot out in center. The 9s sometimes  knocked down the plywood. The 7.5s sent it flying enough I had to mark which end was up to tell if my pattern was uncentered.
This was over multiple weeks with a continually more beat up piece of ply. Same result.
The next result I'd seen which I never hear no one talk about is the 9s def pattern ever so slightly higher enough so imo they aren't completely changeable.
Yes you still kill a turkey as it was only a couple inches but that should/could affect the 7,9 combo I'd think.
These were shot a varying ranges with the most obvious difference happening 20-25 yards out to 40 where I stopped patterning.
After seeing results I decided to stay 7.5 and adjusted prism for this

[Ranman]

I have used nothing but straight #9 TSS for at least 15yrs..20ga and 28ga,  no complaints here. Shooting T#9 is similar to #5 lead. A 7.5/9 combo would be interesting.

[Bowguy]

My thought is the 9s would favor the bottom of pattern. So many guys I hear say it fills in pattern. It can't it seems. Same exact load data. Only thing dif was shot size

[davisd9]

Unless the law says otherwise, you are wasting shot with anything over 8.5 or 9s.

[Bowguy]

The law here states 7.5 but I'll be honest Don I'm using it in other states in a 20 after testing both.

[joey46]

Seeing some manufacturers slipping in 10s.  Has to be a point of diminishing returns.  I shot a bird this season with an Apex Ol'Tom blend of 8/10. My buddy took one last year with one I gave him to try. I cleaned both birds and really had to look close for any flyers. So far no broken teeth. Seeing plenty of 9 1/2 TSS in the recent .410 offerings. How small is too small?

[BandedSpur]

Been loading and shooting TSS9s exclusively for turkeys since 2009 with no complaints. Shooting TSS 7.5s is like shooting #2 lead and not many people other than body shooters do that, but by all means, shoot what you want.

[Bowguy]

It's all we can legally shoot in state anyhow but it's more than dense enough. I see no reason to do differently in that ga. Remember there's another side. If it's more than enough the bigger pellets mean less in meat.

[Gooserbat]

7.5 tss is akin to buckshot.  Well maybe not quite but it would make a great ostrich load.

[Bowguy]

7.5 tss is akin to buckshot.  Well maybe not quite but it would make a great ostrich load.

We've got really big turkey here.
Did you read I stated it's the smallest that's legally allowed?
Did you also read the 9s off a rest, checked multiple times shoot a higher poi?
Did you read I only have 2 guns set up tss? One is a 410 so not part of the discussion. That gun is set with 9s. The smallest legal sizes in any of the states I frequent. Not legal in home state caliber or shot size.
I'm not switching my gun around like some chick changing her hair color.
The shot is dense enough. Way denser than anything I've shot lead and there are plenty of dead birds over it. In fact I've never yet shot at a bird with tss but it'd be stupid to think it'll not work given my patterning.
Who knows that may change too but I doubt it.
The one prob with this board is all the bandwagon jumpers. The experience is great. The advice is great but sometimes guys need to follow the leader per se and get on the same train. They all say the same thing while considering nothing not much else 

[crow]

In the several guns I shoot tss in I haven't seen a shift in POI with different size shot at 40yds, this is with reloads and all components being equal except shot size.

I hunt a lot with an older 20ga. Single shot with fixed extra full. I have total confidence in #9 tss, but in this gun 9's only average @8-10 extra pellets in the 10" at 40
So I hunt with #8 TSS which still gets you past 40.

Several years back when Cabelas had that cheap sale on tss I bought #7's (9's were sold out in 20ga.) the 7s work out great for a fast back up shot if dealing with a crippled turkey and you are just shooting at turkey.
I keep 2 wide rubber bands over the forearm and slip a shell in there running parallel with the barrel for a fast 2nd shot, works great.

I have also just hunted with those factory 7's for the first shot, The 10" numbers still get you way past 40yds in that gun, but usually use 8's for first shot.

[kwild835]

I have shot turkeys with TSS sizes 6, 7, 8, 8.5, 9, and 9.5.
They all work as advertised.  I like 8.5's and 9's best.
I have a buddy load shells for and he loves 7x9 duplex. 
I think it is the best part of loading your own. You can get exactly what you want.
7.5's pattern very snug and hold that pattern for a looonng way.  You def will have less shot in the bird when you clean it. Sounds like you have found "your" preferred load!  I would load up on tss 7.5's and recipe components and run with it.

[joey46]

I've read these threads until my head spins.  Bottom line IMO is that if you've patterned your gun and are shooting at reasonable ranges you are good to go and shot size may mean very little in the final outcome. The turkey seldom cares if he's laid to rest with a 7.5 or a 9.  Just the way it is. My ,410 likes the Apex 9 1/2. My 12 doesn't much care. One of my financial regrets is ever trying TSS in the 12.  Not needed. Won't make that mistake again. The 12s career will end with lead although some old white Hevi may sneak in at some point.
BTW - what is the point of aim on an ostrich?

[Gooserbat]

7.5 tss is akin to buckshot.  Well maybe not quite but it would make a great ostrich load.

We've got really big turkey here.
Did you read I stated it's the smallest that's legally allowed?
Did you also read the 9s off a rest, checked multiple times shoot a higher poi?
Did you read I only have 2 guns set up tss? One is a 410 so not part of the discussion. That gun is set with 9s. The smallest legal sizes in any of the states I frequent. Not legal in home state caliber or shot size.
I'm not switching my gun around like some chick changing her hair color.
The shot is dense enough. Way denser than anything I've shot lead and there are plenty of dead birds over it. In fact I've never yet shot at a bird with tss but it'd be stupid to think it'll not work given my patterning.
Who knows that may change too but I doubt it.
The one prob with this board is all the bandwagon jumpers. The experience is great. The advice is great but sometimes guys need to follow the leader per se and get on the same train. They all say the same thing while considering nothing not much else 

Wow, I think someone has their girdle a bit tight.  When someone who's got about 60 reasons to advocate tss and in particular #9 they're probably not saying you're wrong for using something else, it's just experience talking.  Best of luck and your right those 7.5s should out-do your lead. 

[tracker#1]

My 12s haven't left the safe in 4 years. With help from fellows on here, I started rolling my own for 20 gauge using #8s tss. They are devastating. I've been using Hals and Ronny's recipes. But because of the price of tss, I built a "shot trap" and collected 95% and reused it. Now I'm using Ronny's "lil Hammer" recipe and using a blend #9s X #8s, splitting 50/50 weight. The #9s fill the voids nicely. Let us just say I won't be doing much more experimenting...