switching to TSS - 3 questions from a neophyte

[duckrogers]

This past season I switched from lead to Boss bismuth for chukar hunting out of a desire to go non-toxic. I shot a case of Boss bismuth. I'm not happy with the results. I had to go with #5 bismuth to keep the pellet count similar to my lead shells but #5 bismuth does not have the lethality of #5 lead at 40 yds. Penetration of intact bismuth pellets is not as good and I get lots of shattered pellets which is a mess for eating and has to degrade lethality. Anecdotally, #5 lead seems like it "smacks" birds much harder at 40 yds than #5 bismuth.

I would like to explore a switch to TSS. Before I go down the rabbit hole on the technical details of loading TSS for chukar I have 3 questions. I have been unable to answer these questions by searching forum posts.

1. How much time does it take per shell to hand load TSS? Is it at all practical to hand load a case of TSS?

2. Is it possible to get a modified pattern with a pure TSS load (i.e., 60% @ 40 yds)?

3. Is TSS #9 shot going to render my birds inedible (e.g., breaking teeth)? What is your practical experience?

 

[C M Wings]

1. I don’t know about others but it takes me longer to load TSS than steel shot because I typically have to trim hulls first (seconds) and add buffer last (takes time to weigh out and vibrate down). So say an extra 2 minutes a shell, max. Plan on an hour per 25 shells if you have a powder measure and a good technique to weigh shot and buffer.

2. There are techniques to help open a pattern. You can add a large steel pellet to the top of the shot column. I suppose you could use or make a spreader wad. What I found is speed helps open patterns especially with lighter loads like one ounce. For geese I try to load one ounce at 1600 FPS or better. Also shoot an open choke like cylinder and don’t buffer loads. TSS patterns tight.

3. Number 9 shot at 1400 FPS should pass right through a chukar. Biting down on TSS will ruin your meal. Maybe your day. You center a chukar at 20 yards with an ounce of 9s and I’m guessing based off of geese with 7.5s that it will be pretty shot up.

Good luck!

 

[cd2]

1) Loading standard TSS shells starting with new hulls takes no more time than loading anything else. I hand weigh my shot, so I guess that is additional time versus say a progressive press reloading trap loads with a volumetric shot drop. It is definitely feasible to load a case of shells, I've loaded about 6 cases in the past year. No buffer necessary in wingshooting tss loads. A box takes me about 35-40 minutes to load and that's not getting in any great big hurry

2) A cylinder choke will get you over 70% at 40 yards. Due to its density and hardness TSS patterns extremely tight

3) I would have to run the numbers, but I would bet tss at 40 yards would probably come close to passing through a chukar. It will not render your birds inedible

 

[PaulinKansas]

1. Weighing the powder charge is the most time consuming step for me in reloading TSS/Steel duplex loads. I don't trim cases or add buffer. Resize, prime, weigh, drop powder, weigh, add powder if necessary, add wad, weigh tss and drop, drop steel, pre crimp, final crimp. About 60 seconds. I suppose it could be done faster if you resize and prime them all at once. then drop all the powder and and wads, then the good stuff.

 

[cd2]

Paul, get you an RCBS Chargemaster. I don't know how I ever loaded without one

 

[bustsducks]

Cleaning some geese yesterday this is what I found. My friend was shooting Boss #5. He thinks they're wonderful. Me not so much. A couple of the birds he shot were a mess to puck through.

 

[JP]

Take a look at HW-15 as it's more than enough lethality for any bird at the range(s) you referenced.

 

[derbyacresbob]

Take a look at HW-15 as it's more than enough lethality for any bird at the range(s) you referenced.

I agree, go with 15g/cc #7 shot for Chukar if you can find it.

I have seen 1 oz of 15g/cc #7 shot at 1430 fps kill Chukar, big ducks and Snow geese. A Skeet or I/C choke will pattern 15g/cc or TSS shot pretty tight.

 

[TXMT]

Boss has a test load with TSS equivalent at $2.00 per round right now. Initial production run...I got some for next season but the copper plating on bismuth at $1.40 is OK for me...I shoot 2-3 cases per year.

 

[duckrogers]

Boss has a test load with TSS equivalent at $2.00 per round right now. Initial production run...I got some for next season but the copper plating on bismuth at $1.40 is OK for me...I shoot 2-3 cases per year.

I thought this load was buffered bismuth, not TSS.