Turkey Shot Shell Dilemma

[iRem]

This year I am thinking about shooting the TSS vs. our traditional Winchester Double X 12ga 3” & 3 ½” 6 shot. It seems to me that I will no longer need to shoot such a hot load if I switch over to the TSS perhaps in 2 ¾” and maybe #7 or #9 shot. Not sure if I should keep shooting what I know or switch over to the TSS for a lot more $$’s…wat do think, keep with what I’ve been doing or move on to something different. Curious what others are shooting and why.

[ShedHead20]

I have been going through the same thought process lately. For the last 6-7 years I have been shooting 3" Winchester Long Beard in 4, 5, and 6 shot. I am partial to the 5 shot. These have been great loads and hit hard and have a good price point. Especially when you're out to pattern a new choke.

I do want to try some TSS and my co-worker says I'll never go back if I make the change. Hard to justify 60 bucks for 5 rounds when the Long Beard gets it more than done each time. 

[h2ofowlr]

Why change whats working.  Does going from $15 a box of shells to $50 + dollar box get you an extra dead turkey. 

[baldopepper]

Old saying is if it ain't broke don't fix it.. brother has great luck with the tss in his 410, but only uses because the 410 is much easier to carry and really needs the tss.  Stuff is way to expensive for me to justify changing fron regular loads that do the job just fine.

[wadu1]

Why change whats working.  Does going from $15 a box of shells to $50 + dollar box get you an extra dead turkey. 

 

[hughjorgan]

I tried the tss last year but left the 12 gauge behind and grabbed a 20 gauge. Made for a lighter run and gun setup and was still able to shoot out to 40 yards when I patterned the load. Ended up calling in a long beard to 20 yards and the tss put him down hard. I’d like to try the tss in a .410 setup. I’d imagine if you used it in a 12 gauge it would pattern well enough to extend your range easily past 40 yards.

[iRem]

I do want to try some TSS and my co-worker says I'll never go back if I make the change. Hard to justify 60 bucks for 5 rounds when the Long Beard gets it more than done each time. 
[/quote]

That's the dilemma, want to try it but why accrue the cost...

[iRem]

Why change whats working.  Does going from $15 a box of shells to $50 + dollar box get you an extra dead turkey. 

Tru dat... haven't had a problem yet especially shooting 3 1/2".

[birddogdad]

its always seems to be a money argument from the non TSS peeps...TSS has changed the game. Downsizing guns, building a shotgun just for turkey, 20/28 or even 410 is now squarely in play. TSS density affords that smaller shot pellet size which effectively doubles shot count and when matched to right choke, makes a pattern density that is pretty devastating. No, you dont need 3 1/2 12 ga TSS rounds that is certain, it does afford dropping to 2 3/4 and still reaching with your 12 well north of 60yds, but where is the fun in that?

Sure in past times, i ran a SBE2 in 12 ga, 3 1/2" cannon loads! devastating results when i shifted to TSS, had partner tell me its a gimmick and i promptly (being a bit of a wise guy) shot a bird he passed on that i was calling to him as"  too far" as it spooked.  i have downsized to 20 ga with a purpose built Franchi Affinity running 3" 1 3/8 oz mostly in #9 but can drop to 7.5 if desired.. its absolute money and just over 6.5#, carries all day, nothing gets away period. built a break down savage 410 turkey gun and it too is wonderful, wont shoot past 35yds (ish) but it will kill well past this. this one tips scales around 5#.

TSS is the real deal  its expensive (but so is your time to get to the trigger pull on a bird). if you are an in-state couple birds a year, in your back yard or friends private property just for something to do, then its probably not for you or needed... but if you are addicted, several states, work miles and mountains shagging birds, consider the direction i have gone here.. calling spring toms in, watching the show, not needing to harvest every time out, that is where i am at in my turkey journey but i will say, driving 10 hours for a long weekend speed run, TSS price point is not even a consideration with all the other money i throw at my addiction...i know i will never look back from TSS


B

[duckmen1]

TSS is amazing no doubt. There are a lot of benefits. The only downside is the cost and as a reloader having to take more precaution when loading then lead shot. Using in the 410 shotgun tss has a huge advantage compared to any other shot on the market. But most here are using 12 guage. Most turkeys are probably 40 yards and less making most loads out of a 12 guage suitable when reasonably seen on patterns. It is fun to try something new. Positives to the shot is pellet count goes way up, density is way better for tss giving more nockdown power. And usually holds tighter patterns way further out. Personally I have shot at 8 turkeys with the 410 using TSS. Smoked every bird. Using this shot has been a gamechanger for me for my circumstances. For the average hunter it may not be neccessary and is very expensive to buy factory shells. For me being a reloader I reload 5 shells for the 410 for $15. But factory shells in both 410 and 12 guage I have seen 5 shells going for $45 all the way to $82 in store. if you are a 410 shooter believe me when I say you will be happy you bought this ammo. #9 shot is the sweet spot for tss on turkey. No need for any bigger shot size. It will reach out as far as you need. It doesn't hurt for any other guage to be prepared for anything having this shot. 

[ShedHead20]

For the guys saying you can kill bird 60 yards plus with TSS, isnt the mark of a good turkey hunter being able to kill them close and to be able tip your hat to the bird when he hangs up too far and walks off? I guess I'm old fashioned.

[ducks4days]

For the guys saying you can kill bird 60 yards plus with TSS, isnt the mark of a good turkey hunter being able to kill them close and to be able tip your hat to the bird when he hangs up too far and walks off? I guess I'm old fashioned.

I have a lot of experience calling turkeys into 80 yards and watching them hang up and strut in that spot for minutes before leaving. If I could kill a turkey at 75 with any shell, I would likely have notched 13 more tags than I have. To each their own; TSS can help make up for a lot of mistakes folks make. If youre travelling to hunt, its worth not wasting the gas to maximize your harvest opportunity. 

[ghosthunter]

I guess I see different than most here. I see TSS as the beginning of the end.

Why do we need to kill a bird at 60 yards? Now I am no turkey guru, in fact most would call me the worst turkey hunter on the planet. I have hunted them full length of this state,Colville to Asotin. I have been turkey hunting 10 years or more. Called them in to with in feet. Sit so still hens have stepped over my legs feeding.

Never killed one. Yep never killed a turkey. Now I have had offers for private land. But that’s not my style. Not interested in barn chickens.

One my buddies killed three, another buddies group kill about 20 a year road hunting them.
Again not my style.

I drive from western WA 8 hours to hunt them for one week out of my wall tent. I enjoy every minute of it. I don’t understand the person who has to kill one to justify the gas  and money spent.
Is the rest of the experience worth nothing? Hearing them gobble, calling them in, finding them on public land all worth nothing, spending time with friends and grandson all worth nothing.
Sorry I just don’t get it. It’s not like they are excellent table fare.

Too many people put to much emphasis on the kill instead of everything else you get to enjoy. I like 410, I understand TSS for it. But in the end you are just adding more cost.

Really if it came for a vote I would vote to not allow it. Yeah I use a choke and a gps to get around. At some point everyone can’t kill a bird, and at some point we need to find our way back to enjoying the experience instead of needing the kill advantage.

If you came for the meat , you came for the wrong reason.

 

[ASHQUACK]

I was a tss naysayer. Then I hosted a guy on a duck hunt this year and he was shooting a 20 with tss. I was impressed. I was a hevishot guy tried and true, I may have to switch to a 20 and start shooting this stuff.

[brokentrail]

I'll keep shooting my Longbeard XR's as I'm not shooting past 40 yards anyway...  I don't want to pick them off, I want the experience.