TSS any good?

It's the absolute best shot you can get for pattern density and energy retention. 1200 fps TSS 7's will still penetrate 1.5" at 100+ yards.
The only downside is the cost.
But if you reload and shoot subgauge using payloads of less than 1 oz, it's not so hard on the wallet.
 
I've used it for spring turkey hunting the past 2 years. Both toms were within 30 yards though, and any turkey ammo would work at that range. As others have stated, its too expensive for my liking, even if I only take one shot all spring. I'll be going back to a previous version when my last round is gone.
 
I went down the TSS rabbit hole this year. I shoot 28ga exclusively so I thought it would help increase the pellets in-pattern at longer ranges. It did, but the first thing I learned is that at shorter ranges the pattern is very tight so I missed birds that I normally would have hit with lead or bismuth. I hunt primarily SD which has a lot of public areas that require non-tox shot, so my combination there is #6 Bismuth in the bottom barrel and #8.5 TSS18 in the top barrel. I have hit pheasants at 70+ yards with the TSS loads and they go down. I had to recalibrate my "too far to shoot" eye a lot as I would pass on birds that it turns out I could take down with TSS. That is helpful for crazy wild public area birds and late season birds, but I'm still trying to decide if it is worth the hassle of reloading TSS. It is a pain-staking process and in the end, a handloaded 28ga TSS shell still costs me approx. $2.50, not including my time reloading it. Worth it? For me, as I get older and am more mobility limited, probably. Ethical? Not sure. Every bird I've hit with TSS has come down. Are there some that I wounded? Not sure.
 
I’m going to throw out my 2 cents…. And it probably not worth the paper it’s printed on. TSS is awesome if you can afford it( and the possible dentist appointment if you miss it while cleaning). It will kill, at longer ranges than most can shoot. But I am tired of all the discussion of how far it will kill.
If you can’t kill it and recover it within reasonable range with lead or equal non tox you shouldn’t be shooting. A seventy yard shot with any material is possible ( I’ve done it) but I’ve learned it ain’t worth it. Birds are tough and by the time you or the dog get there it may be lost. And if you just break a wing let the chase begin, probably with a lost bird. I respect the birds more than that.
 
My question is and Iam sure all of us had this happen, you shoot a pheasant fold him like a cheap suit and get there and the bird is gone. what Iam after is what another member said, " deader than dead" Iam not after 70 yard shots late season birds are tough and I like late season hunting
 
I use TSS 9s turkey hunting. Deadly. I did make a not so good shot on one last year and he had some pellets under the skin. Now I know 7s would be much bigger and probably penetrate through and through but I could see where using that smaller shot could get you a trip to the dentist.
 
Am I correct in you can only shoot it in modern barrels, nothing vintage?
 
Im shooting 3/4oz 9s at 1490fps. No shot in birds yet, although all close shots. Im shooting skeet and LM chokes, which is a 30 and 35yd setup in my gun. If I go LM/IM its 35yd 50yd+ (it has adequate penetration to about 80yd). Im not going to shoot a pheasant that far, but i guess its there if I ever need it. I shoot it because i am tired of finding lead in my birds. I am loading my own and right at $2/shot. At 300 pellets, its a dead bird every single time the pattern connects.

Attached patterns from stoeger condor 20ga 'beater' gun. Each circle is 30".
 

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LC Smith said:
Am I correct in you can only shoot it in modern barrels, nothing vintage?
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I am going to say yes, i personally would not risk it as tss is much much harder than steel. However... The british have been loading it in lead shot wads and claim since the pellets are so small (7-10) that it doesnt score barrels. On the other hand, in the USA TSS is loaded commercially in very stiff shotcups and often have mylar wrapping as well so there should not be any barrel contact at all.

In the guns I have seen you talk about, there is no way on this planet I would fire a tss shell in one.
 
KEOutdoors said:
I am going to say yes, i personally would not risk it as tss is much much harder than steel. However... The british have been loading it in lead shot wads and claim since the pellets are so small (7-10) that it doesnt score barrels. On the other hand, in the USA TSS is loaded commercially in very stiff shotcups and often have mylar wrapping as well so there should not be any barrel contact at all.

In the guns I have seen you talk about, there is no way on this planet I would fire a tss shell in one.
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Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I really like the concept of the smaller shot for more on target and increased density, but damn it is pricey. I'll just stick with Boss for now. I don't even shoot Boss in a couple of the old guns.
 
LC Smith said:
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I really like the concept of the smaller shot for more on target and increased density, but damn it is pricey. I'll just stick with Boss for now. I don't even shoot Boss in a couple of the old guns.
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Take a look at salt creek ammo, they have some special loads for old guns. If they arent on his website, you can contact and ask about custom loadings. Hes super nice to work with and as far as bismuth goes, he uses the same shot I do and it is by far the best on the market. Night and day way way way better than boss shot.
 
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