What Are Your Thoughts On Spring Turkey Hunting Using TSS- #9s?

[blackbeltbill]

I recently  bought 2 Boxes of Federal- Heavyweight/TSS- #9s in 12 Gauge. They go 3"s with 1 3/4ozs of #9. 

  VERY Expensive! I wanted to go very early because of the Demand. Picked my 2 Boxes up at Davis Sporting Goods. The Sloatsburg Davis did not have any- but the Goshen Davis Store did. The Guy behind the counter at the Sloatsburg store actually made a call to the Goshen Davis that,I was on my way. I had to give my name when,I got there. 

   Definitely  no practice  shots with these in April! I also bought a New Choke for my Mossberg- 835 that is made for TSS.

   I Read in-" Manner Of Taking" that the legal size of shot is no smaller then #9s.

   Looks like,I am finally on the TSS Bandwagon. I also have 2- 20 gauge Boxes of TSS .

  So-- What are your Thoughts on TSS in #9 Shot?

[Lawdwaz]

New choke and new ammo but no pattering shots? 
 

[mowin]

Bill, you owe it to the turkeys to make sure of the pattern.  New choke could have the pattern miss completely, or worse a body shot.  Especially if you're shooting any kind of red dot or scope. 

I know you have high brass loads, and other turkey loads. 

Pattern at 15y with new choke and high brass to confirm, and at least stuff a magnum turkey through it too.  But for $12, the piece of mine knowing HOW that #9tss throws a pattern is priceless. 

 

[Fab]

I have 2 size 6s left I got from apex     They pattern well and the down range energy is insane.   It’s like shooting a size 1 lead.  
 

  I just got 2 boxes of 7s   3 in  12 ga   

 

from what I read 9s are like 6s in energy 

9s  I belive were designed for sub 12 ga guns to be more efficient  for small frame hunters and lighter weight guns 

 

good you got them.  At some point I see ny going non toxic shot on public land , they may be very hard to find at that point. 
 

 

[blackbeltbill]

     As far as April Patterning,I have plenty of regular #9s.

    All my shots on Gobblers are under 40 yards to this day. Most often- 30 or so yards. 

  I tell everyone- Aim for Mid-Neck where the Wattles are and Never the Head.  Just my personal  preference  from- 34 Springs and 34 Fall Seasons. That is 68 Turkey Seasons. Damn- that is the first time,I added that up.  No Scope for me. Just a tried and true fiber optic sight.

[blackbeltbill]

25 minutes ago, Fab said:

I have 2 size 6s left I got from apex     They pattern well and the down range energy is insane.   It’s like shooting a size 1 lead.  
 

  I just got 2 boxes of 7s   3 in  12 ga   

 

from what I read 9s are like 6s in energy 

9s  I belive were designed for sub 12 ga guns to be more efficient  for small frame hunters and lighter weight guns 

 

good you got them.  At some point I see ny going non toxic shot on public land , they may be very hard to find at that point. 
 

 

  That is the main reason,I bought TSS Twice now. I am aware of a possible  Lead Ban on Public/State Lands and Public is all,I have to hunt.  

[Lawdwaz]

5 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

     As far as April Patterning,I have plenty of regular #9s.

    All my shots on Gobblers are under 40 yards to this day. Most often- 30 or so yards. 

  I tell everyone- Aim for Mid-Neck where the Wattles are and Never the Head.  Just my personal  preference  from- 34 Springs and 34 Fall Seasons. That is 68 Turkey Seasons. Damn- that is the first time,I added that up.  No Scope for me. Just a tried and true fiber optic sight.

What could go wrong?!?!

[blackbeltbill]

52 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

New choke and new ammo but no pattering shots? 
 

Only January Larry.

[blackbeltbill]

1 minute ago, Lawdwaz said:

What could go wrong?!?!

Not much Larry. I look forward to seeing your 2 Gobbler Kill pictures this coming May.

[Lawdwaz]

Just now, blackbeltbill said:

Only January Larry.

So…..you’re already rethinking your plan.    That’s good to hear.   I’d hate to think a guy with 68 turkey seasons (very successful too) under his (black) belt would go afield with a new choke and ammo, fresh from the Jiffy Mart.    

 

[Lawdwaz]

3 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

Not much Larry. I look forward to seeing your 2 Gobbler Kill pictures this coming May.

Don’t hold your breath.  

 

[NYRturkeycall]

New choke and new loads, agree with mowin. Throw some brass through that choke and pattern something very similar if you have, then throw at least 2 TSS at 15-20 yds to confirm. I understand you only have 2 boxes, but from what I've seen you've killed turkeys with other loads pretty well and you'll have 8 shells left.... That's 4 spring seasons! Good luck.

[Robhuntandfish]

12 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

Don’t hold your breath.  

 

your Two Buck Larry! not Two Turkey Larry.   

[Buckmaster7600]

I’ve used it some, to me it’s just not worth the expense for my style of hunting and self imposed 25yds max range. I shoot most of my birds at under 15yds. That’s why I just use a high brass game load of 7’s. If NY ever goes to non toxic I’ll probably go to steel and continue to keep my shots close.
 

@blackbeltbill i’m hoping by “no practice shots in April”you mean no plinking after you confirm poa/poi with the new shells and choke combo? I’m assuming someone with your experience knows that every shell/choke combo has the potential to not get along.

Edited January 12 by Buckmaster7600

[blackbeltbill]

33 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

So…..you’re already rethinking your plan.    That’s good to hear.   I’d hate to think a guy with 68 turkey seasons (very successful too) under his (black) belt would go afield with a new choke and ammo, fresh from the Jiffy Mart.    

 

Larry- not rethinking the plan- lol. I always Pattern a few times when shooting Clay Pigeons in the Goshen Black Dirt starting each year in March.

  You have not communicated this much with me since- well last January or so.  Ahh- the off Season boredom- got it. Luck to you this May Larry.