Pondering some options here for using TSS-18 or HW-15 in 12 gauge pheasant loads:
Option 1: Pure TSS-18 #9 shot - 7/8 oz at 1650 fps. This batch of TSS is actually a bit denser than 18, and so we are looking at 307 pellets, which happens to be exactly the pellet count in a 1 3/8 oz charge of lead #6. The TSS #9 retains lethality (1.5-inch penetration) to 73 yards at 1450 fps (I can't find this data for 1650 fps, but range will be extended!), so, assuming I can get it to pattern, just wow. The downside is it's roughly $3 per shell in payload, and I am not sure I can get it to open up fast enough for close flushers.
Option 2: HW-15 #7 shot. Still expensive, but less so by half: $1.50-ish payload per shell. A full one ounce load at a screaming 1550-1650 fps, 221 pellet count, which is about equal to 1 oz of lead 6's or 1 5/16 oz of lead 5's. The only lethality data I could find was at 1300 fps, where these babies carry energy sufficient to yield 1.5 inches of penetration out to 72 yards. Wow again. Add 300-ish fps and you have some serious range for wild-flushing roosters!
Option 3: Duplex: I can use 3-inch shells, and load a 1 3/8 oz payload to 1350 fps. 3/8 oz of #9 TSS (115 pellets), behind 1 oz of lead #5's (172 pellets) say, the TSS #9's pushing the 5's into blossoming fast for the close flushers, and the core of 9's holding together for extended range ... at least in theory. Also, cheaper yet again at $1.10-ish per shell.
Option #4: Same duplex concept, but with #7 HW-15's backing up lead 5's or 6's. To get pellet count up, it looks like I could get a 1 5/8 oz payload to 1300 fps. 5/8 oz of the HW-15 is 137 pellets, then 1 oz of 6's is 223 pellets. Little less expensive still at under $1 payload per shell.
Obviously on the duplex loads I could fiddle with how much and what size of tungsten as well as lead to find an optimal combo of range, pellet counts, lethality, etc.
Any thoughts welcome ...
