In the July/August 2020 issue I wrote about TSS shot (“TSS: What It Is and Isn’t”). I described TSS shot as the latest tungsten-composite-shot variant having unique characteristics of super-high 18g/cc density, hyper-uniformity of both pellet sphericity and diameter, and a hardness level above that of any other shot. I concluded by stating I would conduct my own tests and report back when I had completed my data sets. Here are my findings.
Long-Range Goose-Lethality Claims
Contrary to certain reloading-component suppliers’ advertising hype for TSS shot that in size No. 9 it is lethal on long-range geese even in .410 loads, I have found these claims to be wildly exaggerated. In fact, in my testing I did not find No. 9 through No. 7½ TSS pellets to be lethal on flying Canada geese (with the possible exception of lucky head shots) at any shooting distance. My testing and necropsies showed that at least size No. 4 TSS is required for Canada geese out to 60 yards for 95% body-hit lethality.
A TSS No. 4 pellet weighs approximately 5.4 grains and is the equivalent in weight—and therefore downrange-energy-penetration ability on bird tissue—to a No. 1½ lead pellet, at 5.5 grains. A No. 1½ pellet on the American Standard Scale would be almost a No. 2 (.150"). And remember: No. 2 lead pellets (if they were legal) have always tested marginal on Canadas at 60 yards, with lead BBs performing much better at that distance. In short and overall, in my tests TSS pellets smaller than No. 4 did not prove to be a responsible choice for large geese.
Theoretical Performance Ideas
Once they learn about its high density, high hardness and high patterning-performance characteristics, many shotgunners considering using TSS jump to the conclusion that it is some kind of new wonder pellet for wingshooting, especially in the smaller gauges. The fact that there are abundant claims of TSS’s excellent performance as a turkey pellet—where in fact it does make an excellent head/neck projectile and its high pellet count and super-dense patterns allow shooting smaller-gauge shells a lethal option—tends to color TSS’s potential as a wingshooting projectile rosy.
But one must fully understand the typical turkey shot in the real world. First, a turkey is a stationary target, making turkey hunting basically an aimed, rifle-like shooting discipline. Second, responsible turkey shots involve shooting at the head/neck only at distances less than 35 yards.
Considering these elements, there is very little similarity between stationary turkey head/neck shots and the moving-body shots at a variety of the longer distances common to wingshooting waterfowl and second shots at upland birds. They are two very different lethality challenges and shooting disciplines.
Tested TSS Wingshooting Performance
Since my initial column on TSS, I have spent four hunting seasons firing a variety of TSS loads from 3" .410 through 2¾" 12 gauge at a variety of ducks and geese. The duck species have varied from small birds like teal through large birds like mallards and pintails. The geese have included both white-fronted and large Canada geese. My records show a total of nearly 450 rounds in a variety of TSS loads in shot sizes No. 9 through No. 4 fired at these birds at measured distances from 26 through 72 yards. I also have received feedback from SSM readers who have relayed their experiences shooting TSS loads at quail and ring-necked pheasants.
I found that shooting 3" .410 and 2¾" 28-gauge loads of TSS pellets No. 9 through No. 7½ at large Canada geese, white-fronted geese and large ducks was not lethal, especially at long range. The loads failed principally due to inadequate penetration. I now consider any such waterfowl hunting with TSS to be largely a non-lethal practice subject to high wounding losses.
Things improved when wingshooting larger-gauge loads of larger TSS pellets at these same waterfowl species at distances of 50 yards or less. But a new problem—hitting—reared its ugly head when employing these loads at closer distances. As I fired numerous rounds of various TSS loads in 3" 20 gauge and 2¾" 12 gauge at decoying or passing birds at distances less than 40 yards, I began to wonder if I had lost my ability to shoot a shotgun! I experienced missing like mad, and it didn’t matter what choke I used—Improved Cylinder through Full. I also received feedback from SSM readers who were experiencing big-time hitting difficulties shooting TSS loads at quail and pheasants at all distances, but especially at less than 30 yards. And again, it didn’t matter what choke they were using.
Extensive pattern- and shotstring testing clearly revealed the reason for the hitting problems. If you take the time to pattern-test, it will quickly become apparent that TSS patterns are very much tighter than any shotshell load of lead, steel, bismuth or any other tungsten-composite type ever produced. And I also found TSS 18 g/cc in its current form and hardness level to not respond to choke as we are used to experiencing. In short, it doesn’t seem to matter what choke constriction TSS is fired through. It always produces super-tight patterns commonly above 90% in a 30" circle at 40 yards and almost always a tight 100% at distances of 30 yards or less.
So then I experimented with trying to open up TSS patterns. I tried virtually every spreader-type component possible, including X-shaped devices and card-wad layering added to the shot charge as well as plastic Spred-R inserts added to the top of the shot charge. None of them had any significant effect on opening the patterns. The only thing that did was when I mixed TSS shot with lead or bismuth shot. Then I could get a pattern-opening effect. This was because by adding TSS to these soft, deformable and much-less-than-perfectly-round pellet types, there was now a diversity of pellet shapes in the shot charge. Greater pellet-shape diversity and deformation are what produce more-open patterns. And always remember that as patterns are opened, shotstrings are always lengthened.
It has always been and always will be pattern diameter and shotstring length that provide the margin of error in shotgun shooting that covers for the less-than-perfect pointing present on almost all moving-target shots. You can get away with much tighter patterns and shorter shotstrings on stationary targets, because you can aim and shotstring length becomes irrelevant.
So this is why TSS shot in its current nearly perfectly uniform and un-deformable spherical shape didn’t deliver for close and medium wingshooting distances in my testing and in the experiences of other shotgunners. The only solution would be to market a TSS shot that contains a variety of projectile shapes other than perfectly round. Then we can get back to a pellet mix that conventional chokes can regulate to produce practical pattern diameters and longer shotstrings that will facilitate hitting moving targets. And never forget that TSS is super hard, so be sure your barrels and chokes can handle it.
To consult with Tom Roster or to order his new Advanced Lead & Bismuth Shot Handloading Manual, his new 2nd Edition HEVI-Shot & HW-13 Reloading Manual, or custom loading data, contact Tom Roster, 1190 Lynnewood Blvd., Klamath Falls, OR 97601; 541-884-2974, tomroster@charter.net.
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