TSS ammo...is it worth it?

[BeeMaa]

A very interesting podcast generally on this topic for those of you interested. It’s duck season somewhere episode 551View attachment 662215

Appreciate a link to go with this because "Duck Season Somewhere" hasn't posted a video on YT in three years.

 

[Firebird]

The accompanying YouTube videos for this specific segment are called Surviving Duck Season and are produced by Joel Strickland

 

[BeeMaa]

The accompanying YouTube videos for this specific segment are called Surviving Duck Season and are produced by Joel Strickland

I like that guy. His videos with the ultra high speed camera on shot strings, chokes and loads was really good. He also appears to be very honest, transparent and genuine.

 

[CoElkHunter]

My father in law told me he was going to ditch his 12 ga. Benelli Super Black Eagle because the recoil was getting too much for him at 81yoa when pheasant hunting. He was looking to buy a 20ga O/U because one of his hunting buddies told him he was using this TSS ammo with #7.5 shot in his 20ga O/U because the penetration was better than #4 or #5 shot in a 12ga EVEN when shooting 50-60 yds on WILD pheasant. He said the larger shot wouldn't/didn't penetrate the feathers as well as the #7.5 shot. I've never used the TSS ammo but have taken many wild pheasant with #4 and #5 shot with a 12ga. with no "penetration" issues. So, I'm calling BS on the "better" penetration with #7.5 shot, especially at distance on heavily feathered wild pheasant. What say ye?

 

[Firebird]

Why shoot expensive tss at pheasant when lead is still legal? Even on a waterfowl refuge you can sling bismuth or other options for pheasant-kudos to your dad, my girls use an over under 20 2 3/4 #5 bismuth on ducks and pheasants and do just fine

 

[BeeMaa]

TSS just hits different. There’s no other way to explain it. Like the difference between using 375H&H on a Cape buffalo when a 458LOTT is available. They will both get the job done, but there is more margin for error on the 458 (TSS).

On the subject of penetration. There have been very few (comparatively) pellets left in the meat of the birds taken. I remember distinctly picking shot from between my teeth when eating duck and goose as a young lad. With TSS, the smaller size, higher density and more retained energy make pass through pellets the norm.

And head shots…forget about it. They just fall from the sky like stones.

 

[Mully]

I'm thinking of trying TSS in a Remington youth 20ga for turkey this season. A nice light run and gun type gun. Any advice on shells or chokes would be appreciated. I'm thinking of #9 shot and I don't want a super tight pattern for when a close shot presents itself. I have read a factory full is a good place to start, but my chokes do say lead shot only.

 

[BeeMaa]

I'm thinking of trying TSS in a Remington youth 20ga for turkey this season. A nice light run and gun type gun. Any advice on shells or chokes would be appreciated. I'm thinking of #9 shot and I don't want a super tight pattern for when a close shot presents itself. I have read a factory full is a good place to start, but my chokes do say lead shot only.

Carlson’s and Müller make chokes suitable for TSS. I’ve been using a super full turkey choke (.650 diameter) in Benelli SBE3 12 bore with incredible results. As you have stated, it's much like a rifle shot at close range, so it's best to do pattern testing at different distances. Contact either (or both) of these companies for the details. Both have very good customer service and I've been very happy with them and their products.

The other alternative is to use an over/under with two different chokes and two different loads. This is what a friend of mine is doing in a Browning Cynergy 12 bore & 3.5" chamber. He loads the bottom barrel with Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS 3.5", #7 shot, 2 1/4 oz, 1200 fps using a TKY choke that's good out to 70 yards. Top barrel is Winchester Last Call TSS 3", #7 shot, 1 1/4 oz, 1500 fps with a SKT choke for shots up to 30-40 yards. He also happens to be using a RDO on this rig because aging eyes suck.

This option would give you solid patterns from 10 yards out to at least 60. I've found the Browning Cynergy to not shoot quite as tight as my SBE3 which has killing capability with this load out to at least 70.

As for the particular shot size, that's your choice. From personal experience, I've found that #7's work wonders on goose. The anatomy of a turkey is quite similar when it comes to them floating in the water or walking on land. I've seen TSS #9's in YT videos taking all manner of game, but I'm not sure of the distances, loads, chokes or shotguns they were using. #7 works for me, so I'm sticking with it.

 

[Mully]

Thanks for the information BeeMaa.