Reloading TSS

Mtns2hunt

Mtns2hunt

Member
Wondering if anyone reloads TSS? Seems as if everyone has jumped on the factory loaded TSS wagon in my area.

My question is does anyone load #6 Tss for coyote and Bobcat. Seems as if all recommendations go to #4 or larger for Coyote and Bobcat. I have killed coyotes with # 5 lead and thought I was doing great.

So how would #6 TSS stack up against a coyote or Bobcat? I know the cat is not hard to kill but as the coyote is tougher I thought I would see if anyone that has experience using #6 TSS.

I will be using 1 5/8 Oz load #6 in a 12g. This the same load I use in a 20g with #4 which by the way really slays them. My ranges are usually from 15 to 50 yards with a modified choke.

Thanks for any feedback. I am loading some 12g #6 tonight for use in the upcoming weeks and will advise at to the results.

Looks like I posted a similar post awhile back at: https://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3264937

Still looking for feedback on real experience. I still believe #6 or smaller is the way to go with TSS especially in a 12g.
 
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You might want to PM Derbyacresbob, he does a lot with tss coyote hunting
 
My TSS coyote loads are 3" 1-1/2 oz loads. I prefer TSS shot in #3 or #4 shot for killing coyotes. TSS #4 shot has plenty of pellets and will kill and break down coyotes much better than TSS #6 shot when the shot angle is not perfect.

1-5/8 oz of TSS #4 shot has about 135 pellets per shell you don't need more pellets than that for coyotes. A 1-5/8 oz load of TSS #6 shot has about 233 pellets per shell. I have had great results killing coyotes with 12g/cc shot, 15g/cc shot and 18g/cc shot with 70 to 120 pellets per shell.

Look at how the TSS #6, TSS #4 and TSS #3 shot compares to each other for getting 3.70" of gel penetration.

1250 fps TSS #6 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 43.7 yards and has about 233 pellets per 1-5/8 oz shell.
1250 fps TSS #4 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 76 yards and has about 135 pellets per 1-5/8 oz shell.
1250 fps TSS #3 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 93.3 yards and has about 100 pellets per 1-1/2 oz shell.

Why buy and shoot expensive TSS shot for shooting coyotes if you are going to shoot such a small shot size that it penetrates about the exact same as lead BB shot? TSS #4 shot will give you right at 30 yards more range than TSS #6 shot will.

 
Originally Posted By: derbyacresbobMy TSS coyote loads are 3" 1-1/2 oz loads. I prefer TSS shot in #3 or #4 shot for killing coyotes. TSS #4 shot has plenty of pellets and will kill and break down coyotes much better than TSS #6 shot when the shot angle is not perfect.

1-5/8 oz of TSS #4 shot has about 135 pellets per shell you don't need more pellets than that for coyotes. A 1-5/8 oz load of TSS #6 shot has about 233 pellets per shell. I have had great results killing coyotes with 12g/cc shot, 15g/cc shot and 18g/cc shot with 70 to 120 pellets per shell.

Look at how the TSS #6, TSS #4 and TSS #3 shot compares to each other for getting 3.70" of gel penetration.

1250 fps TSS #6 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 43.7 yards and has about 233 pellets per 1-5/8 oz shell.
1250 fps TSS #4 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 76 yards and has about 135 pellets per 1-5/8 oz shell.
1250 fps TSS #3 shot gets 3.70" of gel penetration at 93.3 yards and has about 100 pellets per 1-1/2 oz shell.

Why buy and shoot expensive TSS shot for shooting coyotes if you are going to shoot such a small shot size that it penetrates about the exact same as lead BB shot? TSS #4 shot will give you right at 30 yards more range than TSS #6 shot will.



Thank you for the information: very informative. I know that TSS #4 will kill coyotes very well. I have been shooting #4 in my 20g and the last one killed was at 60 yards. I have moved over to a 12g because my 20g is an Encore and I like to use it with a 22k hornet barrel and my muzzleloader barrel. Plus the 12 gives me multiple shots and on the public ground I hunt there is no telling what one may come across.

The main reason I am asking about #6 shot is that I do a lot of Bobcat hunting much of which is in thick cover. Most shots are at about 30-35 yards or closer. My goal was to open up my choke to modified or cylinder and shoot #6 TSS for less pelt damage on Bobcat but still be able to kill Coyote. 3.70 penetration on ballistic gel makes me think that would be workable. I may need to reduce the load weight along with opening my choke. Again thanks for the feedback.
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: Mtns2hunt
Looks like I posted a similar post awhile back at: https://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3264937

Still looking for feedback on real experience. I still believe #6 or smaller is the way to go with TSS especially in a 12g.

Your first post asking this question was over 2 years ago. Have you not killed anything with the loads you are asking about in that time?

Ah, time does fly. No I have not killed any coyotes with #6 TSS. I have with #4 though. I have killed Bobcats with my crossbow and a rifle. I am also running a trapline for cats. Basically I am looking for a load for short range that will be effective for both coyotes and cats with as little pelt damage as possible. I do not generally kill coyotes during the warmer months.

Should I not be able to find a good load of TSS for this project I may switch back to LB #5. Either way I will be continuing to experiment but just welcome any real world experience anyone would like to share.
 
Real world experience I have. Killed several 100 coyotes and a handful of cats with a shotgun. The majority have been with TSS #2.

In my experience, even #2 shot does no damage to a hide UNLESS they are extremally close. Like under 20 yards. People have this perception of a shotgun blowing gaping holes in stuff. Big enough that you can stick your foot through. You know, like in the movies.

In real life, it ain't like that. Go forth. kill stuff and you shall see.
 

Check out the Bobcat in the above video that was shot with 1-1/2 oz of TSS #3 shot at abut 35 yards away. You may not be able to tell the difference in the size of the holes that TSS #3 and TSS #6 shot makes in a coyote or bobcat hide.

One thing for sure is you will get more holes in the hide shooting TSS #6 shot. I have never seen a bobcat or coyote hide that was shot at 25 yards or farther away with a shotgun get torn up by shotgun pellets.
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesReal world experience I have. Killed several 100 coyotes and a handful of cats with a shotgun. The majority have been with TSS #2.

In my experience, even #2 shot does no damage to a hide UNLESS they are extremally close. Like under 20 yards. People have this perception of a shotgun blowing gaping holes in stuff. Big enough that you can stick your foot through. You know, like in the movies.

In real life, it ain't like that. Go forth. kill stuff and you shall see.


Thank you for sharing your experiences. I think I will stick with the #4 TSS as I have already experienced good results with this shot.
 
Originally Posted By: derbyacresbob
Check out the Bobcat in the above video that was shot with 1-1/2 oz of TSS #3 shot at abut 35 yards away. You may not be able to tell the difference in the size of the holes that TSS #3 and TSS #6 shot makes in a coyote or bobcat hide.

One thing for sure is you will get more holes in the hide shooting TSS #6 shot. I have never seen a bobcat or coyote hide that was shot at 25 yards or farther away with a shotgun get torn up by shotgun pellets.

Again I appreciate the information you have provided. It had not occurred to me that #6 would put more holes in the hide. I am going to stick with #4 TSS for the time being and perhaps shoot a smaller amount of shot.
 
Here's another thing. #2, #3, 4, 5 or 6 sized pellet holes in a hide will not be at all visible from the fur side when it's all said and done.
 


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