New Turkey Loads

No special choke. In fact a factory full may be a good option and choke from there. TSS 8’s would be a good move

I run 12 Ga 3” TSS #9 with factory full and the pattern is ridiculous @ 50yds.

Not to hijack your thread - somewhat related - but did they quit making Longbeard XR 3.5” in 6 shot? I can find 4s and 5s but no 6.

Longbeard XR was good performer for the money. I can’t justify the money for TSS in my 12g.

My son shoots 3” TSS #9 out of his 20g and it’s pretty deadly.

What is TSS? Is that a brand?

longspurs said:

What is TSS? Is that a brand?

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Not a brand. It’s metal - stands for Tungsten Super Shot. Heavier than lead so more energy down range. And of course, more money. Bank on $10+ per shell.

And these loads with 8 shot will kill a gobbler no problem at 40 yards?

Some claim to kill em at 75 to 100 yards.

Onetrakd said:

Some claim to kill em at 75 to 100 yards.

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With a .410 no less..

longspurs said:

And these loads with 8 shot will kill a gobbler no problem at 40 yards?

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Depending on the gun choke combo, but yes even with 9.5 shot

longspurs said:

And these loads with 8 shot will kill a gobbler no problem at 40 yards?

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It’s pretty insane I know but yeah. Get you some 8 or 9 TSS and put a factory full choke in. Only way you don’t kill him within 50 yards is you flat out miss. At 35-40 yards the pattern is ridiculous.

longspurs said:

And these loads with 8 shot will kill a gobbler no problem at 40 yards?

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I've used 9 shot from 20 gauge the last couple years, turkeys dont stand a chance inside 50 yards. Some people are even using 10s, some also blending 8s&10s together.

longspurs said:

And these loads with 8 shot will kill a gobbler no problem at 40 yards?

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My son shoots 3” #9 TSS and he has green light from 50 yards and in.

luckless said:

Not a brand. It’s metal - stands for Tungsten Super Shot. Heavier than lead so more energy down range. And of course, more money. Bank on $10+ per shell.

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And worth every penny.

gutshot said:

And worth every penny.

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To be fair I didn’t pattern mine. I bought a box of 12 and 20 g. Have shot 1 shell of each. My son and I both laid the hammer down with factory choke at about 40 yards. I videoed my sons. We were in an elevated deer stand. The cloud of dust (showing the pattern) that kicked up behind my son’s turkey was wild.

gutshot said:

And worth every penny.

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I’m still not convinced they are worth the $ in a 12g. $5 per shell and I would agree. $10 per shell and I think they are overpriced.

luckless said:

I’m still not convinced they are worth the $ in a 12g. $5 per shell and I would agree. $10 per shell and I think they are overpriced.

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I thought this too initially, but realistically how many shots does the average hunter take at a turkey annually? I set aside a handful of days each year to turkey hunt and I kill 1 turkey every couple years. Amortize that out and it’s pretty manageable for most.

the key is not being one of those pattern nuts. People have “blown” that money for you. Put in a full choke and get some 8’s or 9’s and go hunt.

A turkey hunter spends so much time and money on equipment to get that shot... I'm willing to pay that 5 extra dollars to make sure all of my preparation doesn't end in me running after an injured bird. And if you shoot at enough of them with lead, it's going to happen. For me personally, they are too hard to come by to take a chance of losing one. One is too many.

I would suggest shooting the gun with TSS loads before you go out. The patterns can be extremely tight at 20-30 yds. I have 2 20ga guns set up with TSS. Mine has a scope and my wife has a red dot. With mine the POI did not change. It doesn't change with Long beard, Hevishot or TSS. My wife gun changes POI several inches with different loads. It would have made a difference at 20-30 yds.

I’ve obviously been oblivious to all this for too long. I’m going to try some. Any specific brands to look at? Can someone post a pic of a box of shells?