Home Forums Reloading Shotshells - TSS and Unleaded Loading TSS??

Anybody on here loading their own TSS?

Thinking about getting set up to load some for a 20 gauge.

What equipment I need to get started?

A press, scale, TSS load data, shot, empty hulls of the called for brand and style that are plentiful and obtainable enough to be worthwhile, appropriate wads, correct powder, and whatever primer is called for in the recipe. Plus, enough common sense to stick to the recipe and not wander from it.

You need a motive to shoot $100 bills out of your 20ga. I could never find that motive.

That's why I want to handload it.

Go over to Gobbler Nation forum and talk with hawglips or shooter. They both sell TSS and will provide you with pressure tested load data as well as a list of what you need and where to find it.

Have a message in to hawglips. A bud has been buying from him.

Would be better off using a roll crimper than a press. It's slow, but you can still load 25 in an hour or so. If you buy new primed hulls, the roll crimper and something to spin it with as well as a scale, is all the equipment you need.

what is TSS?

Tungsten Super Shot.

Tungsten Super Shot.
It's heavier than lead, and harder than hell.
You can drop shot sizes, but maintaining lead type per pellet weight.
Much better energy retention and penetration. (Just hearsay, but full penetration of turkeys have been claimed)
Being hard, it patterns great.


But it is very expensive. And requires care in loading.

3# of #9 TSS is ordered.

Now I just need hulls, a shell vise and a roll crimp tool.

Anxious to get started on some 20 gauge ammo.

Federal TSS shells are cost effective for the subgauges. Handloading doesn't necessarily make sense until you get into the heavy 12 ga loads. Of course, the point of shooting TSS is you don't need a 12ga or heavy loads.

Pay attention to how your handload will protect the bore from the shot. TSS will score your barrel if there is not something between it and the bore.

Got the data from the guy I bought the shot from.

Time to get components ordered and work on a good load/choke combination for our Fall turkey season.

My data shows a wad with a Mylar liner inside of the wad.

What exact Mylar do you need?

Ballistic Products 16/20

Do you know the specs?
I work with mylar film, and have access to
Several thicknesses, let me know. If your are willing to use scissors,
I could send you a few envelope size sheets.

I could get 3 mil, which is what they show, and 10mil, not sure about others, we used to have 5 and 7 also.
They say the have 3 thicknesses, but only show 3mil.
At $7/100, it would be better to just buy, and be sure. You sure don't want to cut groves in your barrel to save pennies.

Headed over in a bit to buy a buddy out of all of his TSS loading components and equipment.

Good call to get.