TSS ammo...is it worth it?

Challer said:

It's be interesting to see BOSS all copper into that test

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That's the link for the Boss copper test he did a few weeks ago. I shot some OG Boss #1s at geese yesterday, it smashed them.

Cheers

503

Over 4 years ago I saw TSS shot did a lot of research on the avalible shells back then picked up a Mossberg 500 410 turkey gun with ex-full choke tube with a 24" barrel. Picked up a couple diffrent boxes of TSS shells and went to the Club to see what they would show me on paper. I was amazed on the patterns I got several great out to 40 yards. I settled on Federal 13/16 oz. with no. 9 TSS pellets.

That spring I shot a 22 pound 7 ounce Tom with a 10 1/2" beard at 30 yards. Every spring and fall I have shot some very nice Toms with the gun. 30 yards has beeen my longest shot evey bird ....DRT....a little wing flopping after the shot but most bird do.
For a inexpensive shotgun it just hits them hard with TSS shot. I did put a Williams LRS reflex sight on the gun that I like much better than any other made. It design is much better it can be mounted to the gun not neededing a rib mount so a shotgun your head is in the right place for shooting, not off the stock.

I hunted sandhill cranes for the first time this year. I have not hunted waterfowl in the US in many years. Always been more of an upland bird hunter. I used the Apex TSS on the cranes. I have never seen big birds hit so hard or drop so suddenly. The guides and other shooters in the blind all commented that it was obvious when I hit a crane with the TSS ammo.

Safe hunting and Happy Christmas

the last time I killed a goose it was with lead shot- that was about 40 years ago, the rest of you can argue about what's better. I'll wait until after the collapse of the Communist's agenda.

I just received this via email from @PENDLETON AMMUNITION this morning. Glad I stocked up a couple years ago.....
@BeeMaa

Mekaniks said:

I just received this via email from @PENDLETON AMMUNITION this morning. Glad I stocked up a couple years ago.....
@BeeMaa

TSS SHOTSHELL UPDATE DEC 23 2025

This is "TSS SHOTSHELL UPDATE DEC 23 2025" by Steve's Outdoor Adventures TV on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

vimeo.com

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Thank you for the heads up. I just picked up another flat of Winchester Last Call. Hopefully this is just temporary.

BeeMaa said:

Thank you for the heads up. I just picked up another flat of Winchester Last Call. Hopefully this is just temporary.

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@BeeMaa - I never worry about a shortage of TSS ammo….because I always know where to find it, YOUR HOUSE !! Plus, it will already have been: Load & pattern tested in every major brand shotgun and thru every after market choke. All I’d have to do is pay You and “gift” a bottle of Hendricks Gin to thank You for all the research you’ve done. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year !

I have a buddy that shoots way more birds than I do.
He said for him it’s not worth the money.
But to give his son the best chance of success.
He said it’s worth buying for him.
I know he taken Canadian geese with a 20 ga 2 3/4

Sure glad I just by chance last week picked up several years worth of TSS 410 and 20 ga. 3" shells. Got them for 10% less than last year.

I've officially been priced out of TSS. I went to my normal supplier for Winchester Last Call 12ga/3"/1.25oz/1500fps/7 shot TSS...$130 for a box of 10. On top of that, it's not available...ANYWHERE!

I have a few cases (now going for $1300) laying around, but when that's gone I'll need to find something else. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone know how long it will be before TSS prices come back down?

EDIT - I'm talking about the full TSS loads, not the Last Call Double Shot that mixes TSS with steel. But even the Double Shot is going for $50 for a box of 10.

No time soon!

BeeMaa said:

I've officially been priced out of TSS. I went to my normal supplier for Winchester Last Call 12ga/3"/1.25oz/1500fps/7 shot TSS...$130 for a box of 10. On top of that, it's not available...ANYWHERE!

I have a few cases (now going for $1300) laying around, but when that's gone I'll need to find something else. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone know how long it will be before TSS prices come back down?

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Probably never? Bismuth, Hevi-Shot, No-tox, Nice-Shot, Tungsten, TSS, all of these are rare commodity based metals.

I commented that in 2006-2007 I went into a Cabelas and bought Bismuth shells in ten packs for a paltry $7 a box. That's $0.70 per round. At present, it is now $100 a box of 20, or $5.00 per shell. Twenty years, 700% increase.

For Tungsten, it was trading at $380/MTU in 2025, and in August 2026 it was $2600/MTU. (not a typo)

Then beyond the insane prices of heavy metals, you have to make it into shot. That requires a shot tower and Obama and Biden's refinery regulations put all of them out of business.

Ten years ago, I remember seeing this coming and ordered two palates of shells from EleyHawk in the UK via their US import arm, Rio. Paying thousands in freight, it was still half the price of the USA at those volumes, although it took 6 months.

In short, we have rampant inflation and increased commercial demand for all the metals: copper, gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, bismuth, and many others. It's evidence of the declining value not just of the dollar, but all the sister currencies that are printing money at the same cadence to give the illusion of pricing parity while the underlying asset, nothing, fiat, remains nothing.

BeeMaa said:

I've officially been priced out of TSS. I went to my normal supplier for Winchester Last Call 12ga/3"/1.25oz/1500fps/7 shot TSS...$130 for a box of 10. On top of that, it's not available...ANYWHERE!

I have a few cases (now going for $1300) laying around, but when that's gone I'll need to find something else. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone know how long it will be before TSS prices come back down?

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@BeeMaa - that’s the most SHOCKING post I’ve ever seen from You…But I agree that $17 a shell for TSS is ridiculous and especially for waterfowl where on a good day you will be shooting dozens of rounds —-even with PERFECT shooting a 6 duck/5 goose/5 merganzers limit will cost you $300 in ammo alone. Save your TSS for Turkey and you’ll have a lifetime supply. You will still get your geese/duck limits shooting steel because YOU can still hit-what-you’re shooting at. With the $$ you save - go on a Trophy Elephant Safari and bring back 70lb ivory !! BTW - September Goose season is approaching —- do you have your annual trip planned?

@HankBuck - Not doing the trip this year. Recovering from arthroscopic shoulder (the shooting one) surgery. Hoping to be back in business next year.

FYI - I just looked and have three complete cases of Win Last Call if anyone is interested. I'll probably put it on GB at some point.

BeeMaa said:

@HankBuck - Not doing the trip this year. Recovering from arthroscopic shoulder (the shooting one) surgery. Hoping to be back in business next year.

FYI - I just looked and have three complete cases of Win Last Call if anyone is interested. I'll probably put it on GB at some point.

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@BeeMaa “3 CASES of TSS”? YOU are likely the Wealthiest AH member, I’d be disappointed if you sell all of your TSS - you are the resident expert on TSS ballistics and pattern testing

Yeah. And starting from scratch…again.

Not only with the pattern board but expectations. Having to recalibrate my head for shots that were once in range to something much closer…that’s going to be the biggest challenge.

Watching birds fall stone dead from 50+ yards. I’m going to miss those days.

Luckily, I have 10 more lbs of TSS #9 shot left and 20 lbs of boss #5 bismuth left over from my last purchase. I should be ok since most of my waterfowl loads are duplex loads up for my 28 gauge. But eventually I'll be in the same boat as you. Has anyone tried the new Boss Cooper waterfowl loads?

BeeMaa said:

Yeah. And starting from scratch…again.

Not only with the pattern board but expectations. Having to recalibrate my head for shots that were once in range to something much closer…that’s going to be the biggest challenge.

Watching birds fall stone dead from 50+ yards. I’m going to miss those days.

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This is so cruel. I wish I had never known the glory.

I have a stash of old tungsten, bismuth, and heavinshot I’ll probably use this year. I have some tss left but not enough to make me feel good about things.

If it ever comes back down I’m going to buy up a lifetime supply of the shot.

The "worth" depends on what you are using it for. If you are going to fire one or two rounds at a Turkey, the extra distance and knock down power is "worth" it.
If you are shooting a box of 25 shells at Waterfowl that is barely edible then it's not "worth" it. Buy steel shot and keep your shots under 50 yds and you will not have to cringe every time you pull the trigger.

archer36 said:

The "worth" depends on what you are using it for. If you are going to fire one or two rounds at a Turkey, the extra distance and knock down power is "worth" it.
If you are shooting a box of 25 shells at Waterfowl that is barely edible then it's not "worth" it. Buy steel shot and keep your shots under 50 yds and you will not have to cringe every time you pull the trigger.

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I probably have close to 100 shells of Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS. Bought it 5 or 6 years ago when the price was $25-30 for a box of 5. It's now going for $130!