TSS handloads

[253shotgunner]

I just bought the starter kit from Hal at https://www.super18tungstenshot.com/
Does anybody else handload TSS for turkey or waterfowl? I would like to ask you some questions.
Tks, 253sg

[MerriamMagician]

I don't reload shells with tss, but I do buy it in loose bulk and use it in my muzzy shotgun. It's a good bit cheaper actually than buying tss shells. The results are impressive. Around 2 ounces of #9 behind 120 grains of triple 7 makes for a magnum turkey load. All of the birds I've taken have been dead on contact with zero flopping around like what they typically do after shot with a standard turkey load.

[birddogdad]

everything but the cooked load data from Hal right here!

[GWP]

What specific info are you looking for? I load Bismuth, Hevi-Shot (Tungsten), Tungsten Matrix. And lead.

Basically you don't want any of the Tungsten shot touching the barrel, which usually means a taller, thicker cup. If it touches the bore it can score the barrel.
The jury is still out on whether it actually has a detrimental effect other than cosmetic.
Other than that, don't shoot it in a choked barrel tighter than light mod. On a single barrel gun with a tighter choke it will just hammer them out to light mod eventually, and leave a shiny ring on the outside of the barrel where the choke starts. Any double barrel (soldered) it will break the barrels apart eventually, starting from the choke end.
Most of the manufacturers have load data you can follow.
One caution I will give is shotgun shells DO NOT have the same 'pressure signs' as metallic, and if you do not follow load data you can have dangerous pressure and not know it. There are a few people around that can pressure test loads for you 'for a fee'.

[salish]

What specific info are you looking for? I load Bismuth, Hevi-Shot (Tungsten), Tungsten Matrix. And lead.

Basically you don't want any of the Tungsten shot touching the barrel, which usually means a taller, thicker cup. If it touches the bore it can score the barrel.
The jury is still out on whether it actually has a detrimental effect other than cosmetic.
Other than that, don't shoot it in a choked barrel tighter than light mod. On a single barrel gun with a tighter choke it will just hammer them out to light mod eventually, and leave a shiny ring on the outside of the barrel where the choke starts. Any double barrel (soldered) it will break the barrels apart eventually, starting from the choke end.
Most of the manufacturers have load data you can follow.
One caution I will give is shotgun shells DO NOT have the same 'pressure signs' as metallic, and if you do not follow load data you can have dangerous pressure and not know it. There are a few people around that can pressure test loads for you 'for a fee'.

That's a ton of good info, thanks. I'm thinking about reloading TSS myself. I will be using a brand new Mossberg 20ga with a Jeb's Choke which is constricted to .555, so it's a very tight turkey choke. Are you saying TSS should NOT be used in chokes tighter than Light Mod?

[GWP]

You will want to check with the manufacturer to be certain what they recommend. I have Tungsten Matrix that is ‘Ok’ with a little tighter choke, and Bismuth that can be shot out of a full, but much of the Tungsten will beat out a choke if it is too tight. Worse if it is a removable choke as you ‘may’ not be able to remove it.
Tungsten does not compress like lead does. The Tungsten ‘mixes’ are softer and are made to shoot out of an older fixed choke gun.

[WSU]

What does the cost end up being per shell for waterfowl loads?

[GWP]

It all depends on which component’s and how much paid for the shot.

[253shotgunner]

Update re my TSS project: I obtained some Hodgdon Longshot powder so I can handload at least a few shells if needed. However, I have a pretty decent amount of factory TSS shells for spring turkey now. I may just move my TSS project for waterfowl this fall so I am pretty excited about that.
Good luck turkey hunters, the season is just around the corner. I can't wait. Best, 253sg

[phildobaggins]

I bought some factory TSS turkey loads last year and ended up getting my tom with a bow. This is getting me excited to use the TSS!!!!