TSS and 20ga, almost a concert

[hush]

Almost convinced to make the switch from 12ga 3 1/2s HV13 to a lighter 20ga with TSS. Help me make the decision. I've read up on the TSS loads from a 20 and it sounds like a win. Is this really a 40yd gun? Are 20yd shots too tight? Any downside? Will there be 9 shot in the breast meat? 7 or 8 a suitable choice? Best link to a ballistics chart with TSS energy? Rem 870 compact would be most likely.
Thanks.

[hush]

Whoops wrong section. If this could be moved please.

[Snoodsniper]

I plan to have my 10 yr old use Federal TSS in his .410.

Hopefully it patterns well through the standard full choke.

[Gooserbat]

Honestly the 20 ga and tss 9s will probably out perform the hevi shot 3.5" in a 12 ga. 

[owlhoot]

Lots of .410 become 40 yard turkey guns with 9's tss it would seem. 20 gauge shouldn't be no problem .

[fordhunt]

Hush .I know it's a big move ,but I went to a 20ga last year and I'll never go back to a 12ga .the groups I shoot at 40yrds is fascinating ..555 Indian Creek and #6 longbeards as bad news on a birds head .hope this helps .

[2nd 100]

I have always needed to be shown results , and the results are in TSS is the real deal in the sub guages
I have verified knowledge of 30 plus kills last year just between me and my friends. Yardages were  form 25 yds to what we don't talk about. Price wise its expensive but best stuff out there now. Its what keeps sub gauges viable. As long as revisit makes 12 ga loads I'm shooting that for backup when I'm calling for others. And don't think twice about backing em up with my 20 , when I vet back from Nashville I will be picking up a Tristar G2 410 to start work on . BTW 410's are the newest 40 yard gun . like anything else you have to do sone tinkering with em to get what you want but TSS is way badder than people give credit for . And yes if You shoot a 20 inch pattern and get a little low you will have #9's in the breast , or #7 or #5 . we all skin and cut up our breast so we check for shot in each half . if You cook it whole you have to be more careful. 

[Fullfan]

I was in the same boat. When I first started all this back in 1976 all I carried was a 10ga. Then moved on to a 3.5 12ga. I have no less than 1/2 dozen 12's that were only used in the spring to chase gobblers. I whish I had the money I have invested in shell/choke combo for each gun.    Never imagined I would be able to carry and kill gobblers with a 20ga, and then along came TSS. I will never forget the first bird I clobbered at 36 yds with 9 shot. Trust me I was very nervous when I puled the trigger. LOL  That was 5 years ago, since then  none of my 12's have hunted. I have added 4 20 ga's to the gun safe. We have killed prob 25-29 long beards ( we being me and my kids) with the 20s and TSS hand loads.

I enjoy loading the shells that we hunt with and more so enjoy hunting with a light weight very nimble shotgun.

TSS is the real deal, have never found a TSS bb in a bird. HAve seen where they have blown through the breasts meat tho.

Take the step with confidence, ya it is a lil expensive for the initial purchase if you are loading your own. But trust me I have spent way more money on dumber things...  And I have witnessed gobblers dyeing at distances further that you can imagine with 9 shot...

[Spurs Up]

Honestly the 20 ga and tss 9s will probably out perform the hevi shot 3.5" in a 12 ga.

Agreed. Only thing better than most 20 gauges with TSS is a 12 ga with TSS...

OP, if you like carrying a light weight gun, get a 20 ga.  If you want high performance and low recoil, shoot a light (<1-3/4 oz) TSS load out of your 12 ga. 

[Turkeyfever]

I Switched from a 12 gauge to a 20 about five or six seasons ago. I now have 3 different 20 gauge guns set up for me and my son. I will never go back to a 12 gauge. With the right choke and shells it is a 40 yard gun all day long! I try to shoot at 35 or less but I test my guns out to 40 and federal hvw#7 and federal TSS #9 are impressive! Federal no longer make the HVW #7 but I still have some. The TSS is unbelievable !

[LRD]

I switched last year. It outshoots my 3.5" 12 gauge that was tried and proven. I see no reason to ever pack a 12 gauge again.

[Duffer58]

I've made the switch over the past 2 years.  I was shooting an 870 12 ga with Winchester EXR #6's.  I picked up a 20 ga Weatherby SA-459 and started shooting the #7 Federal Heavyweights.  The #7 heavyweights worked great.  I was pondering buying the equipment to handload TSS but then Federal brought out TSS.  I've been shooting both guns but this year the 870 will stay at home.  I'm 60 and the lighter weight of the 20 ga is appreciated.