I was a Hevi-Shot fan loaded by Nitro Ammo Co. until I tried Tungsten Super Shot. Lead has a density factor of 11. Hevi-Shot 13. TSS is 18-19. For example, there are 585 lead 9s in an oz. TSS 9s has 342 in an oz. TSS with 18 density factor is not presently available in commercial loads. There is a group of turkey hunters scattered over the US who are hand loading TSS with remarkable results. I hand load and shoot 1 5/8 ozs. of TSS 9s in a 20 gauge pump. It is flat out deadly. There are reports of stone cold kills at ranges I wouldn't consider.
I would not hesitate to shoot it out of my 686 but for the fact that it patterns so tightly that sights should be used--too much leeway with beads. The shot sells for $36-40/lb. Very expensive but in turkey hunting, shell cost is the cheapest part of the hunt. A mylar wrap inserted in the wad prevents wad break through by the hard shot which would scratch and mar the barrels otherwise. I wouldn't shoot it out of an NID.
Last edited by GLS; 04/30/11 03:39 AM.
