TSS article Outddoor Life

[GregGwaltney]

Could the rising prices of TSS discourage a new Turkey hunting from turkey hunting? Has TSS caused some to take up turkey hunting?

A lot of us older turkey hunters have the experience of hunting the copper/ lead loads that are not TSS shells.

I bet most of us older guys have a gun still setup for lead loads ... IMO

Yeah, I am in that category, not the least bit interested in shooting TSS loads. I am however thoughtful about guys on public shooting it in my direction.

[WLT III]

Could the rising prices of TSS discourage a new Turkey hunting from turkey hunting? Has TSS caused some to take up turkey hunting?

A lot of us older turkey hunters have the experience of hunting the copper/ lead loads that are not TSS shells.

I bet most of us older guys have a gun still setup for lead loads ... IMO

Yeah, I am in that category, not the least bit interested in shooting TSS loads. I am however thoughtful about guys on public shooting it in my direction.

Agree with this. With 35yrds being my chosen cut off, I have no need for tss, nor will I ever. I too worry about coming back the other direction, especially with the amount of clowns in the woods these days. More dangerous than ever, sure nuff

[Number17]

Now I see why Winchester has the 17gcc shot! Was curious as the amount of tungsten could not have been enough to make a price difference.

Maybe we will see a tungsten/lead blended shot?

Migra already has it. #5s over #9s

[Number17]

At one time I remember some company toying with a 3.5 inch 20 gauge shell. Maybe that needs to resurface to get the 20 gauge guys more performance from lead

How many guys have a 20g chambered for 3.5" shells?

[Gooserbat]

Lots of good information and a lot of strong opinions.  Personally I think the price will come down or at least stabilize at some point but it will never be cheaper than it was.  I saw it coming a bought what is literally a lifetime supply.  The thing is my best year ever I killed a dozen birds.  And probably whiffed a shot or two so that's essentially 3 boxes. Normally I shoot less than ten rounds per year and sometimes five or less.   Figure out if it's worth it to you and proceed

[runngun]

Thanks for posting this article it's a great, informative reading. Just me reading between the lines it surely seems like APEX is currently sitting on a pile of Tungsten.....waiting to see what is going to happen with prices the rest of the year. Greed is a powerful thing. According to what I am learning now, the greed didn't just start either. Last year I paid $50/pound and $55/pound. Seems like the supplier was paying $30/pound!!! That is quite a mark-up.
I have been loading and testing Tungsten since it 1st came out. I can not tell you how many POUNDS of loaded shells I have gave to friends over the years, to let them try and several shells for them to be able to hunt with. All because I love the testing/learning and sharing the knowledge gained. At least Winchester is trying to work with the 17g/cc. I will be testing those, but I definitely will not buy anything from APEX. Y'all have a good one and May God bless y'all, Bo from Southeast Louisiana

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[CALLM2U]

I'm probably done buying it unless it's just a smoking deal.  And only in 410 if I buy anything. 

If some of the big companies bow out, that takes out some of the lower priced competition for the small guys which means prices will probably even go up more. 

[Number17]

Prices will go down in the near future. American mines are opening back up to produce more raw tungsten powder. More raw materials on the open market will drive price of finished goods down.
You'll see more offerings in the 15-17 g/cc range and more stacked load options with lead. As buyers see patterns produced with the new offerings they will accept that as the new standard

[Gooserbat]

Prices will go down in the near future. American mines are opening back up to produce more raw tungsten powder. More raw materials on the open market will drive price of finished goods down.
You'll see more offerings in the 15-17 g/cc range and more stacked load options with lead. As buyers see patterns produced with the new offerings they will accept that as the new standard

The problem is that the Chinese actually produce a better finished product than the American shot.  The shot produced here is not polished and it doesn't pattern as well.  The American manufacturing needs to address this but the thing is that the military is using tss to develop their anti drone loads and they don't care about it being polished.

[Dtrkyman]

Anti drone punt gun, 5 lbs of TSS T shot


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[Number17]

The problem is that the Chinese actually produce a better finished product than the American shot.  The shot produced here is not polished and it doesn't pattern as well.  The American manufacturing needs to address this but the thing is that the military is using tss to develop their anti drone loads and they don't care about it being polished.

I understand that. I don't think the majority of hunters care about polished shot either. It still patterns and hits far better than lead.