tss users

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WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
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ok guys, I ordered a beretta a300 turkey 12 gauge. prob wont get it set up the way I want til next year but want your advise for the guys that shoot tss.
1. indian creek choke tube or factory turkey tube and if indian creek which constriction 665?
2. Im torn between a blended 7.5/9 or 8/9 or just go with straight 9s. I could go with the ninja 8.5s. Im also considering apex greenleaf 9/10 for timber and smalltown 7.5/9 for open but where I hunt a bird might well be in a logging road and hang up in the timber just as easy as pasture. with that said Im leaning towards rogue 8/9 or straight 9s. but what do you guys use. Im only gonna shoot to 50 but lets say 60 just to give me peace of mind.
YES, I realize I will have to pattern this gun, Im looking for a starting point to see where you guys have ended up. I dont need a lecture on how far to shoot birds etc. Just looking for a good spot to start to save time, money, and shoulder.
 
With TSS you honestly do not need a 12. The 20 ga will whack them very efficiently at 50 yds. I use an older model 870 youth and shoot the Apex Ninja 8.5. Devastating patterns. Plus, the 20 is MUCH easier to tote.
 
I ran tss 7s through my 12ga this year. Absolutely pounded one at 20 and one at 50. Pretty impressive performance at very different distances.

If that helps you any, great!


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I'm not a fan of blends from tests I have done. For turkey stick to straight 8 or 9. Where the small shot really shines is in the small gauges where payload is low to get pellet count up. I run 9s for turkey and ducks. Then 7.5 for geese or sea ducks. 4 for coyote all out of a 20ga. The turkey and coyote is a 1 1/8oz loah and the waterfowl i cut back to 7/8. It will do it's thing way further than you should be shooting.
 
I run TSS Longbeard #9 out of a Benelli SBE 12 gauge with the original 660 Rhino choke and it has worked excellent for a long time. I don't know how many birds I have killed with this set up but its a lot. I figured I would answer your question rather than scold you that you're doing it wrong.😅
 
TSS is great shot. I have killed a couple slams with it and a bunch Easterns. I have been loading my own since before to Big name brands jumped on the wagon with all the fancy names.

I use #9 for turkey and #4 for coyote. No problems just don't over think it.
 
I use Federal Third Degree (bought it so long ago I was incorrectly under the assumption is was TSS). Both my A300 and A400 are crazy accurate with Third Degree. Knock on wood, it has been 100% one-shot kills on turkey past 60 yards.

A300 Choke: Red HeadBlackMaxx Tky 665 (Lead, Copper, Hevi-Shot)
 
thx most of you. I appreciate the thoughts. it helps me. I thought I was pretty clear I didnt need a lecture so not sure why I got the "out of a 12 why" stuff. just dont post. I didnt ask that
 
665 is about perfect for a plug and play pattern forgiving choke and I'd run 9's all day. 9's hammer. There is no need for shot bigger (8,7,6,5) etc...
 
thanks guys, I will see what the factory choke is and go from there. I will just go with 9s and stop overthinking it. Or just stick with my xr longbeard 6s lol
 
thanks guys, I will see what the factory choke is and go from there. I will just go with 9s and stop overthinking it. Or just stick with my xr longbeard 6s lol
I used a 18” barreled 12ga with a Carlson longboard XR choke .665” and found the following at 30yds on a 3’x3’ target:
Win LBXR 5s was terrible with a large amount of shot was off target
Win LBXR 6s was good all shot was in a 18” circle
Browning TSS 7/9 most/all shot in 18” 3 times denser the XR 6s.

I found similar results in a different gun with a .665 patternmaster.

I ran out of time and money prior to season and used the XR 6s and smack the silly out of a tom at 20yds.
 
If I were using a 12 ga, I’d use #7.5s. Actually, I started off using 7.5s in my 20 ga. Personally, I would not use #9s, unless I was loading a low payload shell.
 
It's hard to make choices on this stuff because when starting with it you have a hard time not thinking in terms of lead. This ain't no lead.

My first TSS bird was with 9.5s out of a .410. I made sure I had an easy shot inside 30 yards, because I was skeptical it would work like people said it would. I know a Pb 9 won't even break a clay like a Pb 8 will.

Up 'til then the smallest I had used was the old heavyweight #7s. Now, I don't use anything bigger than 9s. I probably won't buy anything bigger than 9.5s when the 9s run out.

T10s will do to 50 at least. T9.5s, to 60. The only reason to go larger is if you plan to shoot through heavy cover or expect defensive use. Then you'd go 8s, or so I've read. The biggest pellets I've used on turkeys are the T9s.

12ga TSS loads of these sizes have so many pellets you shouldn't need anything tighter than factory full. You may decide you want a tighter pattern to be sure no stray pellets lodge in the breast. That's why I use a turkey choke in my 20ga.
 
I’m using #9 TSS out of a factory turkey choke in my 12. I think it’s about .665 constriction, but can’t remember off the top of my head. Hammers them hard. I’ve taken birds out to 50 with it with no rodeo. Don’t over think it.
 
Get some Foxtrot ammo mini twister 1 5/8th oz loads in 9s.

If I were going to shoot a 2oz load I would go 8 over 9 or straight 8.5

Good news is with TSS it’s all devastating, .660-.670 choke range likely will do well!


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thx again guys. Im gonna go with 9s, now to pick a company. Im leaning towards rogue or apex, prob rogue.
 
I’ve never had a factory choke give me the pattern that I wanted in any gun, ever. However, I’ve only tested that in 10 shotguns. Indian Creek chokes, however, have always performed the way I wanted.
 
9's are effective out at 50 yards

You can choose from lots of chokes, I'm using Carlson chokes in my 20 and 28g and they're TSS rated and pattern amazingly
 
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