NDR: Turkey Shells?

tod osier said:
I always wonder why people who have never tried something feel so strongly to share their experiences and then say something isn't needed. Just because you aren't curious to understand what you are missing doesn't mean it is not way better.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mind trying it but I don't want to try it at the prices that the ammo commands. I know that ammo is the smaller part of what I pay to hunt turkeys but as fun as the patterning would be, I'm not sure it would be "worth it" in my turkey hunting areas.
 
Dani said:
I wouldn't mind trying it but I don't want to try it at the prices that the ammo commands. I know that ammo is the smaller part of what I pay to hunt turkeys but as fun as the patterning would be, I'm not sure it would be "worth it" in my turkey hunting areas.
Click to expand...
I get it, I would never have tried it if I didn't choose to shoot notox instead of lead and if they hadn't discontinued what I was shooting. I do not get excited about ballistics or new fangled stuff, but I'm shocked what the stuff can do and how hard it hits.
 
tod osier said:
I always wonder why people who have never tried something feel so strongly to share their experiences and then say something isn't needed. Just because you aren't curious to understand what you are missing doesn't mean it is not way better.

Nearly everyone who has shot TSS has already shot lead, but they to TSS when they have a choice. I've killed turkey with lead, several other heavier than leads and TSS out of some of the finest choke tubes made in the heaviest loadings. I would pick TSS in a 20 over them all if I had to pick a forever combo.
Click to expand...
I would pick TSS too if money was not an object, just like I would choose the premium gas over regular. I definitely feel like for sure it's superior especially by closing the margin of error if someone was off their mark at long distance.

From someone who chooses TSS over lead, why do you choose so other than wanting a non-toxic option? Truly just want to know, it's not to argue just want to understand. Is it just a confidence booster? Did you have issues with lead?
 
benp said:
From someone who chooses TSS over lead, why do you choose so other than wanting a non-toxic option? Truly just want to know, it's not to argue just want to understand. Is it just a confidence booster? Did you have issues with lead?
Click to expand...
I never had issues with lead, and killed many turkeys with it. I choose TSS now because I want to have the best tool available for the job. This tool costs me $18/shot instead of $5/shot. I (hopefully) fire two shots per season. $36 instead of $10 is a $26 difference. I'll happily pay $26/year to have the best tool available.
 
Carl said:
Lively discussion, wish I had more to add
Just keep it civil!
😁
Click to expand...
I converted to the TSS last year. My reason was two fold. First, I didn't have any more of my old lead shells left that I had been killing turkeys with for year and when I ordered several different brands to try and replace them three years ago I was not impressed with any of the patterns I had. They would "do the job" but I lacked confidence in the patterns. Second, the year after that my wife and I wanted to convert to all non-toxic in our hunting ammunition so trying the TSS was a natural fit. I found the same results as everyone else has reported great patterns even at ranges farther then I shoot turkeys.
 
benp said:
I would pick TSS too if money was not an object, just like I would choose the premium gas over regular. I definitely feel like for sure it's superior especially by closing the margin of error if someone was off their mark at long distance.

From someone who chooses TSS over lead, why do you choose so other than wanting a non-toxic option? Truly just want to know, it's not to argue just want to understand. Is it just a confidence booster? Did you have issues with lead?
Click to expand...

Lead is a toxic metal, I switched away from scattering it around when I can many years ago.

TSS is so much better than lead it is silly. The money isn't an issue for me.
 
I had previously made the switch to Hevi-Shot from lead in the 12 gauge years ago after sampling its effectiveness in Waterfowl loads. Was extremely impressed with that in 12 gauge but when I switched to 20 gauge I couldn't find a suitable patterning load . Made the switch to TSS in 20 gauge . Easily makes a 20 into a 12 far as effectiveness.
 
Dani said:
What do you and others mean by this?
Click to expand...

It means if you have a 20 gauge with TSS you can easily get the the performance of a 12 gauge shooting lead or hevishot (I'd say a 10 gauge with lead).

9s in TSS carry out beyond 50 yards with killing energy per pellet that compares to a lead 5 (or even a 4) - but think of how many there are compared to the 5 lead. The combination of being able to drop that many sizes increases pellet count dramatically AND allows you to shoot less shot (this is why a lot of people that used 12s now use 20s or 410s). This extends the range dramatically and really increases the authority of the kill at longer ranges.

Because of the density of the pattern, you can also open up your pattern a lil bit and have a pattern that is larger and denser than lead.
 
Dani said:
Okay. That makes sense
Click to expand...

For you getting 8.5s or 9s with a full choke would give you a pretty forgiving pattern good for the dense areas you hunt and I'd be shocked if when you patterned if you couldn't kill to 50 with authority.
 
tod osier said:
For you getting 8.5s or 9s with a full choke would give you a pretty forgiving pattern good for the dense areas you hunt and I'd be shocked if when you patterned if you couldn't kill to 50 with authority.
Click to expand...

Maybe I will get a few boxes and do some experiments. I'm intrigued now
 
tod osier said:
Lead is a toxic metal, I switched away from scattering it around when I can many years ago.

TSS is so much better than lead it is silly. The money isn't an issue for me.
Click to expand...
Tod,

I have switched to a 100% lead free policy for hunting. After listening to some podcasts particularly around the California condor recovery it opened my eyes as to the damage lead can do not only to the environment but more to myself and my family by ingesting it unknowingly while consuming meat killed with lead. Obviously all my waterfowling is done with non toxic but I’ve voluntarily taken to only shooting small game and upland birds with steel as well. I’ll still target practice with lead but only at real ranges where I know it’s going to be concentrated then periodically remediated. If I still deer hunted I’d be switching to 100% copper slugs for sure or shooting some sort of hevi-shot buck shot for deer
 
William Mills said:
Tod,

I have switched to a 100% lead free policy for hunting. After listening to some podcasts particularly around the California condor recovery it opened my eyes as to the damage lead can do not only to the environment but more to myself and my family by ingesting it unknowingly while consuming meat killed with lead. Obviously all my waterfowling is done with non toxic but I’ve voluntarily taken to only shooting small game and upland birds with steel as well. I’ll still target practice with lead but only at real ranges where I know it’s going to be concentrated then periodically remediated. If I still deer hunted I’d be switching to 100% copper slugs for sure or shooting some sort of hevi-shot buck shot for deer
Click to expand...

That is where I'm at and have been for many years. I'll use lead at a range and I use lead .22 because I haven't found a good alternative. Steel is great for upland, copper works great for big game. I don't feel hindered in the least.
 
Kinda off topic, but I still have some 20 and 12 #6 and #4 high brass game loads with “duck and pheasant” stamped on the side. I figure I bought them sometime around 1988.
not sure they will ever get used!
 
Carl said:
Kinda off topic, but I still have some 20 and 12 #6 and #4 high brass game loads with “duck and pheasant” stamped on the side. I figure I bought them sometime around 1988.
not sure they will ever get used!
Click to expand...
Carl,
I had used some of those loads for beginners to shoot their first turkey. They were very effective out to 25 yards through the turkey choke and didn't pack the punch of those 3" ( or 3 1/2") turkey loads that we all love . Personally, turkey loads through a 12 are my least favorite load at the range they kick like a mule.
 
Carl said:
Kinda off topic, but I still have some 20 and 12 #6 and #4 high brass game loads with “duck and pheasant” stamped on the side. I figure I bought them sometime around 1988.
not sure they will ever get used!
Click to expand...

If they say "duck" on them who is Mr. Green Jeans to argue?
 
I think I have some 3” 1 3/4 oz buffered #6 turkey loads too, that I never I got a chance to use. I bet they are shoulder thumpers.
 
tod osier said:
That is where I'm at and have been for many years. I'll use lead at a range and I use lead .22 because I haven't found a good alternative. Steel is great for upland, copper works great for big game. I don't feel hindered in the least.
Click to expand...
I live in the extremely fun restricted state of NJ where using a .22lr for squirrel and rabbit hunting is not legal so 2.75” #7.5 low brass steel shot is my go to. That being said there are a couple options now for lead free .22lr and if you haven’t tried a .17hmr yet you’re missing out. A couple real solid lead free options there. I love when I get the chance to leave this state to hunt. That rifle always comes with me for afternoon small game hunts
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top