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TiminTN

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Jun 18, 2000
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Memphis,Tennessee U.S.A.
I am getting things together for loading some more TSS. I got 9 and 8.5 shot. The factory Apex Ninja shot well out of my 870 Compact with a .570" Anaconda choke so may load some to test. Tempted to pour all the shot together for a mixture. Mississippi opens the 15th and my friend I hunt with is getting encouraging pictures!
 

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My son Derek and I had lots of fun, and learned a few more things on loading TSS. We both had factory ammo as well and am telling you now it's going to be a challenge getting handloads to best the better factory loads. Ninja shot best for me, Rogue shot really well for Derek and was the fastest speed we chronographed. I took 2 brands of 3" 16mm hulls, Cheddite and Fiocci. I played with the shot height inside the case using 1/4" felt spacers under the shot inside the wad cup. More on that later, but 3 felt spacers outshot 2.
 
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My shotgun shot very well with apex ninja and rouge tss and a jebs choke tube, I switched to an Indian creek and my hand loads have beat apex and rouge tss.
 
^^^ Guaranteed choke plays a key role when comparing all things TSS. You can go as deep down the rabbit hole as you want when it compares to patterning and comparing, all at a cost. I patterned numerous 12G and 20G chokes back in the day with my handloads and have hunted with a $45 BPS 20G .575 choke (Made by Carlson) while my beloved Indian Creek .570 sits in my safe. I am an IC guy all the way, but it never sees the light of day with my current "20G hunting setup" where I am looking for more even 250/250 pellets counts at 40 yards, not a hot core 350 pellets in 10" circle. Every setup will shoot a little different than the exact setup next to it. The only way to know for sure is to burn shells, money and time to make a final determination. At the end of the day, we are splitting hairs. Find you a good 200-225 in the 10" and 20" and go hunting, and save yourself money and time. IMO, ensuring POA=POI is far more important than number of pellets. My .02
 
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Going to test again with higher powder charge. My last outing going off old notes gave me 1075 fps and the shot was not up in the hull as high as it used to be. New charge put it right, also my wads, I have 4 bags, have petals joined together in 3 places. I will test cutting all 3, 2 of the 3, 1 of them and no cut. It will be fun and learn more. I only took 2 chokes, the IC .562" and Sumtoy ..562" I have 2 Jebs, .560" and .565", and a Pattern Master Anaconda .570". My best target last trip was with Sumtoy, and the Ninja ammo. Came back with my tail tucked. I felt funny loading off those notes as I know me and bumped the loads back then.👍
 

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^^^ Guaranteed choke plays a key role when comparing all things TSS. You can go as deep down the rabbit hole as you want when it compares to patterning and comparing, all at a cost. I patterned numerous 12G and 20G chokes back in the day with my handloads and have hunted with a $45 BPS 20G .575 choke (Made by Carlson) while my beloved Indian Creek .570 sits in my safe. I am an IC guy all the way, but it never sees the light of day with my current "20G hunting setup" where I am looking for more even 250/250 pellets counts at 40 yards, not a hot core 350 pellets in 10" circle. Every setup will shoot a little different than the exact setup next to it. The only way to know for sure is to burn shells, money and time to make a final determination. At the end of the day, we are splitting hairs. Find you a good 200-225 in the 10" and 20" and go hunting, and save yourself money and time. IMO, ensuring POA=POI is far more important than number of pellets. My .02
I am the same with Indian Creek. They shoot great out of all my guns. In my Stevens 301 20 gauge I tried the Jebs .565 and .560 along with the Indian Creek .555 and .562. Went with the IC .562. Run a IC .660 in my Mossberg 535 which patterns great with #9 TSS, I was worried it would be to tight. And run a IC .675 in my Mossberg 835. I did acquire a Pure Gold .670 a few months ago that I am going to try out in the 835 this year. We will see I have heard nothing but really good things about the Pure Gold in that gun with TSS.
 

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