TSS Questions

[BDeal]

I've been shooting Longbeards out of my 12 gauge and my son has been shooting the Federal Heavyweights out of his 20 gauge (we are almost out). I am looking at switching to TSS for next year for both guns and have a couple of questions:


What shot size would be recommended for the 12 and 20 and is #9 shot TSS basically the equivalent to #5 lead in performance?

What brand of TSS would you recommend?

Is a 3.5 inch shell for a 12 gauge in TSS overkill? I would think it might be and that the 3 inch shell would be more than enough.

What range of choke constrictions seem to work best in the 12 and 20? I don't want the patterns to be too tight at close range. I am currently using a Wrights #1 .680 on the 12 gauge (Super X2) and my son is shooting a Remington Superfull with his 870 20 gauge.



Thank You!!

[ChesterCopperpot]

The x shot size in Tungsten18 = x shot size in lead doesn't really work out, but in TSS there is no good argument in my opinion to choose a shot size larger than #9 unless you are in a state with a shot size restriction. TSS #9s will flatten birds well beyond ranges we should be shooting so there's no reason to sacrifice pattern density (the real advantage of shooting it). As far as brands, pick your poison but I've had exceptional luck with Apex and Foxtrot. Didn't like the Federal at all. In a 12ga, no real advantage to shooting 3.5" shells. I can shoot 2-3/4" loads of #9 with plenty of down range energy and still have nearly twice the pellet count you were getting out of 3.5" LongBeards. With constrictions, honestly what you've got sounds great. Most seem to prefer more open constrictions. Your set up should be good to go.


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[RutnNStrutn]

I've only tried Apex, and am very satisfied with the performance. I shoot the Small Town Blend, which is a combination of #7-1/2 shot and #9 shot. In my 12 gauge I shoot 3-1/2" shells through an Indian Creek choke, and it throws a really good pattern out to 60 yards. In my 20 gauge I shoot 3" shells, also through an Indian Creek choke, and it throws a really good pattern out to 50 yards.
This season I took 4 gobblers. One with the 12 ga, dropped him in his tracks at 56 yards. Three with the 20 ga, dropped them all in their tracks at 20, 22 and 42 yards.

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[zelmo1]

I think #9's are awesome in TSS. I am shooting 1.5 ounces of shot in my 28 gauge. Personally I see no need to use a 12 gauge shooting TSS. I am getting old and am beat up. I switched from a 12/3.5" shooting longbeards to a 20 shooting the old Federal heavyweights and they were fantastic. I started shooting my 28 sporting clays and loved it. Thus the reduction to the 28 with TSS for turkeys. It patterns well and hits like a truck and is much lighter. Only my  , but a .410- 20 is plenty of gun with TSS.

[USMC0331]

Go to the section on here with shotgun patterns. Look for your type shotgun. There are plenty of patterns with choke and shell combinations that will get you very close. Typically for TSS you want a more open choke than a lead shot set up. If your 12 guage patterns with a 3 inch better than 3.5  us a 3 inch TSS shell, if 3.5 patterns better then use a 3.5 TSS shell.  Dead is dead so I do not buy into overkill. I do not use factory loaded TSS as the hand loaded or companies like Apex, Foxtrot and several others will out perform the big company TSS ammo. My 870 20g I use a 565, Mossberg 20g a 562, BPS 20 a 585. 870 12g a 665.


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[Dtrkyman]

In my opinion anything over 1 5/8 oz of shot is a waste of shot.

Number 9s or smaller give you the most dense pattern!

Fox Trot makes a mini twister 12ga 1 5/8 oz 12ga.

If I shot 12 ga with a heavier payload I would shoot 8 or 8.5


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[Gooserbat]

I've been using it for 6-7 years and 40ish birds later I will share these opinions.  On the small end#9 shot is going to be great.  On the large end #8 is goin to be great.  I would recommend Fox Trot ammo.  In fact I hunted with Brice (the owner of Fox Trot) in KS this past weekend and while we didn't kill anything I got to pick his brain some, and he's got it going on. I shoot a handload that is the equivalent to his 2 oz Twister load and ive used it in #9 and #8.  The 8s will beat brush a little better but both are lethal...LETHAL.  If you can't make up your mind shoot 8.5s or duplex 8 over 9 (I'm not going to explain the physics but a duplex will likely shoot tighter than a strait load) 

You don't need anything more than 2 oz in a 12 GA, and as stated before, actually the 1 5/8 is likely going to be all you need. I've used both a 20 and a 12...went back to a 12 because components are more available for hand loading... but the performance of the 20 is beyond that of any thing I had ever had in a 12 before and now my 12 Ga is not gaining much over the 20.   

[Wigsplitter]

Listen to gooserbat he has a lot of experience there - I too will say go with 9s if possible - I shoot federal because it WAS readily available a couple years ago when I changed over to tss - however it's hard to find now - I would look at foxtrot or apex as they seem more able to get you what you need especially if you help yourself and buy during the off season when they are caught up- longbeards will work but to maximize your pellets and pattern imo go with tss 9s- no need for 3 1/2 or anything over 1 5/8 as others have said- my best advice is when you do find that ammo that shoots and patterns great buy plenty and you will be set for a long time - folks complain about the cost off tss shells but in reality a 10-12 shell is one of the cheapest things in your vest - even cheaper than a lot of diaphragm calls- I'll pay it for the confidence and pattern it gives me!!

[Tail Feathers]

What Chester said.

[runngun]

APEX #9's. Find them =Buy them.  12 gauge, 2 ounces, or 2 1/4.
APEX makes a great 20 gauge load as well.

If you can not find the APEX,  I know that some say that they have had trouble with Federal but no me. I got great patterns with the Federal in both 12 and 20.
I am shooting the following guns/choke.
Benelli M2 12 3 inch APEX 2 ounces of 9's, Indian Creek choke 665
Ithaca model 37 turkey slayer 12 gauge. Briley factory turkey choke
Mossberg 835 3 1/2 inch, 2 9/16 of #9s Foxtrot ammo Original Stardot choke
Beretta a400 20 gauge Indian Creek choke with APEX 9s
Browning Gold "Light 10" 10 gauge, Indian Creek with handloads of TSS

Have a good one
Bo

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[bonasa]

TSS shines at sub gauges. The standard of 100 in a 10" circle is far exceeded, how dead is dead for you? A #9 tss pellet is lethal to 72 yards, the pattern falls below 100 pellets in a 10" circle at 70: do you typically shoot that far or have a need to?

Foxtrot, boss, apex, nitro just to name a few make good quality shells.

A 3.5" 12 gauge throwing 2.5+oz of 9 shot is either overkill or insurance, only you can make that call.

[longbeards]

I shoot TSS, 1 7/16 oz No 9s. SparrowHawk had loads and they are the hardest hitting round I have shoot in 40 years of turkey hunting!!!

[joey46]

Went with the Apex Ninja for my 12 GA 870 and .410 Stevens.  12 GA is 8 1/2.  410 is 9 1/2.  Did a little choke tweaking and found the 12 GA liked a more open setup. Not as tight a pattern but a whole lot more even. Good luck.

[Glades]

Go with #9 unless your state doesn't allow it. Try some different loads and chokes to see what your gun likes.

[PalmettoRon]

With TSS, if you have something at home less than a 12 gauge, there is no reason to carry the extra weight of a 12.

I've killed multiple birds with my .410 with TSS 9 and 9.5 shot the last several years.

Switched to my 28 this Spring as I can shoot 1 1/2 oz loads and it was truly a pleasure to hunt the mountains this Spring with a 5lb and change gun that was absolutely lethal. Used 9.5 where legal.

Very pleased with Foxtrot in my particular gun. I believe it zips along at around 1150 fps and the pattern with an XF Jebs choke is very impressive at 40 yds and quite lethal even at 50 yds.