Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting TSS shot

Keep in mind, that I'm an old fart that's been hunting turkeys since they asked "you're hunting what?"! I grew up reading about Dwaine Bland's expoits! I've been using #5 nickle plated lead on turkey for a long, long time. The small size TSS shot I've been reading about almost goes against the grain. I'm not denying peoples success with it, just going to take a little getting used to. I just finished my 20ga project, and keeping with my old school thinking, bought a case of 3" - #5's. But, thankfully, I'm not adverse to learning and am going to pick up some TSS loads and have at it.

Just pattern both of them against something stiffer than paper (I use cardboard stapled to plywood) and compare penetration in addition to patterns

In a 20 the pellet count of 5s just isn’t confidence inspiring unless you are really going to limit your range

TSS 9s in your 20 will produce patterns infinitely better than what was considered good (to those who actually patterned) from a 12ga not too long ago.

I like tss 9s. Dense enough patterns a bumblebee couldn't fly through.

Guess I need to look at results and stop thinking about it! LOL! Right now, #9 shot for me is a skeet load, not a turkey load.

TSS is not necessary unless you cannot get the bird to within 60 yards...

It shines in sub gauges... if you need that handicap.

TSS is not only for extended ranges but that is a reason for use! The biggest advantage is pattern density! There are 362 per oz of #9's of TSS compared to Lead #5: 173 per oz!. Outside of depleted uranium, osmium or iridium, TSS is the hardest and densest thing going! That hardness, roundness and density allows it to retain energy farther out and has a better pattern. It turns smaller gauges into killing machines! The only draw back to TSS is the cost!

Side topic...

Im trying TSS in my 20 to see if it works for me...

Do you think it will get cheaper as more companies offer it?

Or will prices stay high for us suckers willing to pay for it?

I ask because copper bullets came out expensive and then some cheaper ones have come out now.

I’ve used varying densities of TSS in factory and hand loads, 3” and 2-3/4, in 20ga for the last 6 or 7 seasons.....exclusively. Federal Heavyweight 6/7, and 18gcc TSS 8s and 9s, mostly. 20ga TSS 9s will hold a better pattern, and hit as hard or harder, than any of my old 12ga 5/6 lead loads. I still have some of my 20ga #5 lead loads, that were for woods/under 30yards, only....but I don’t use them anymore. I just change chokes for thicker cover, if needed. You should have ZERO lethality concerns for a #9 TSS on a turkey head, to maybe 60 yards, or much further. Not saying to shoot them that far, but the pellet will penetrate more than a #5 lead. For turkeys AND coyote shotgunning....it’s about all I use. I haven’t had one leave yet. TSS shot may start going up even more, as I was thinking the material was sourced from China, and processed here?

TSS will not get cheaper. It mainly comes from China, for the most part and is a powder that is mixed with other things to create a alloy that is then form into pellets.

IMO, It will not get cheaper! So pucker up!! LOL

I was hesitant to try 9s because lead nines don't even break clays consistently. I listened to experienced TSS users and tried 9.5s in .410 first. Wow. Tried nines in 20ga. Nuts. You have to use a lot more lead and faster to equal TSS.

Thing is the patterns are so dense and penetration so complete, you don't need individual pellets to carry much smack. Lots of little holes all the way through do more damage than fewer bigger holes, some not all the way through. TSS patterns sieve the bones. The birds go straight down. Might flop some minutes later.

Roll your own if you wanna save a fair bit. If you already have a powder scale, you can be setup to roll crimp hulls pretty cheaply. Buy a bag of hulls and wads and a box of primers and a pound of powder and the shot...some of the factory load prices are pretty crazy.


I shoot it from a flintlock and I can shoot it cheaper than. I was shooting Magnum Blend in my 12ga.

Bass Pro shows 20 gauge 3" #9 TSS on sale for $15 a box, and they show it as in stock. Tried multiple times online to buy it with no success. Called their order number and finally hung up after being on hold for more than a half hour. Did I mention I really dislike big box stores!

Been that way for a couple weeks. Aggravating

Absolutely. I had a Tom I had lasered at 43 yards and shot because he was hung up. He was standing broadside at the shot. Upon cleaning, there were a couple of errant #9s that had entered his chest, after going through his wing bones. I went to make sure I got them out before eating, and discovered they were complete pass throughs, breast bone, wing bones and all. I’ll second that they generally just lay down or disappear it’s over so fast, and they’ll start kicking and do some flops in the next few minutes. It’s a bit different than a lot of my lead kills back in the day, where they flopped around immediately on the shot. I hadn’t really thought about it until it was mentioned. Kind of a head scratcher.

according to the guy on the customer service line at BPS, they are all out of the TSS shells

but, they are still shown "IN STOCK" on their website.

oh well.....

TSS is the schnizzit for killing turkeys.

burt2506

Bass Pro is well known for this ..

Longbeard XR is an incredible lead load, but this tss is absolutely amazing! I’m shooting 9’s out of my 20 gauge and it’s an absolute hammer. I don’t even want a bird within 40 yards, the pattern is that tight.(IC .555)
I converted 2 of my buddies to 20 gauges now.

The couple shots you take a year at a turkey and a couple patterning is the cheapest part of your hunt if you factor gas and time.
I’ve got enough to last a few more years

I've always said that about ammo... cheapest part of the hunt!

I wish this stuff was cheap enough that I would use it for beaver eradication

I traded a local LGS 10 boxes ( 500 rds).of geco 9mm 115 gr.
10.99 apeice at Rural King
12.23 after tax and 10 cent state ammo tax.
Little under 125 bucks.

LGS guy said he could sell the 9mm fast versus the TSS sitting on his shelf.
Dont care what he charged per box for the 9mm

Under 5 bucks a round for the TSS aint bad when it all worked out .

3 maybe 4 to get it zeroed.
Leave me with 22 21 shells.
Should last 4 maybe 5 yrs.

He has more of the same lot # on his shelf.
I might bring him some more 9mm and trade some more.
I havent gone to a academy or rural in over a week playing the 9mm game with lgs around here.


I think these are loaded for browning by winchester.
Or browning is buying the winchester LB hull to load.
Look really similar appearance wise minus the LB roll crimp and shot retainer disc.

holeeee fugg shoot gun shells cost that much ????

Yep....

Whats 10bucks a shell after all tractor work, plots, gas too and from the hunting woods, etc. At most in Ga I spend 30 bucks on shells a season.

Ammo is, and always will be, the cheapest part of a hunt. And when it comes right down to it, the most important part!

Loading my own cost me around $5 per shell for 20 ga. TSS is not cheap but it is good stuff. I can believe $10 per shell retail with no problem.