You guys that shoot factory TSS, what's your brand and shot size. I plan on toting a Win. Model 1300 12 guage mostly but have a Win. model 1300 in a 20 and a Stevens .410.

Dr. B

I purchased Apex ammunition in years past but they are sold out of just about everything. I ordered a box of the Browning TSS in #7 & #9 duplex load. I will report back after i shoot it and let you know how it does. Rolling your own would probably be the best / cheapest route but I don’t have time to fool with that at the moment. If you can find it, 12 gauge with straight 9s is what I’ve always used with excellent results. Straight 9s or 9.5s for the 410. The Federal TSS does not contain the flite control wad in 410. I don’t like the flite control wads so I don’t use Federal with my 12 gauge.

There is a fella that has a combo at called Foxtrot Ammo that I’ve seen patterns on another forum. He uses some popular handloads recipes, seems like a real helpful fella, and sells TSS handloads. If I was in the market for tss, and I didn’t want to make the investment or have the headache of loading my own, I’d seriously consider buying his shells. His 410 load has posted some very impressive patterns. His cost per shell is not unreasonable given the fact that you don’t have to invest in shot/supplies/loading equipment/etc.....

FG, I had some points on my Bass Pro card and bought a box of Federal 3 in #9 yesterday. I saw the Browning 7/9 combo but just went with the Federal. At $7 a shell, I'm gonna shoot 1 and hope it patterns good!

Dr. B

Do some reading based on what gun and choke you are running the federal through. I believe the federal does better through a more open choke and be careful using it with certain ported turkey chokes. I’ve never had much luck with it, but every gun is different. TSS is mighty expensive to be playing with different chokes and guns. Hopefully you got a one and done!

I went with Federal 9s cause it's cheaper than apex and seems to work good!

I think the new federal tss has a different wad. It’s similar to the flight control was but made to perform in ported chokes. It’s the flight control flex wad.

For my Stevens .410 and 870 20ga it's Apex, Browning, federal in that order. A clean barrel matters, also

The federal has been good to me. I bought some apex a few weeks ago for my 20. I don’t know why, my 12 and 20 have done great with the federal.

I may have to give them a look again, I believe the ones I shot were the old design and it never did put up the numbers the other TSS ammo did for me.

I shot them in 12ga 3” last year and Stephen shot them in 20ga 3”. His choke is way tighter then mine and will flat roll one further then I like to shoot them. Mine is a little looser than his but will roll one at 40 easy.

Doc, I shot 3” federal 9s out of my Remington 12 ga last year. Killed 2 dead as a hammer between 30 and 40 yards. Pattern looks good enough to kill at 60 but haven’t tried that shot on a turkey. I’ll be carrying them again this season. I think you’ll be happy with them, just need to pattern them and see how your setup does so that you will know for sure.

I’ve been using Federal #9 in my 20 gauge. I’m using an Indian creek .555 and they shoot fine with their new flex wad. I’ve killed 7 turkeys with them from 6-62 yards

Hevi-shot just came out with tss..called hevi 18

What choke in the 12? I have several but settled on the Undertaker .675. It patterns best for me with the long beards XR in #6.

Dr. B

I just saw where Natchez shooting supply has federal tss in a 1 5/8oz 20ga load. The ones I’ve bought in the past were 1 1/2oz. If I ever run out of the Apex loads I will try them.

I have been shooting an undertaker .675 as well. Used it when I shot longbeardXRs and it did fine when I switched to tss last year.

Last week I ordered the Carlson choke that is supposed to be made for Federal TSS. Gonna shoot it a few times when It comes in and see if it does any better than the undertaker. I kind of doubt it will though.

Holy crap I just looked at the heavy shot tss at academy and it’s over $50 a box. Not trying it out.

First mistake. On average you should be paying about $8 a shell commercially.

If it patterns remotely as good as most TSS loads, that is still the deal of a lifetime. Best turkey money ever spent!