Is the juice worth the squeeze concerning tungsten-filled shotshell ammo for turkeys. Let’s find out!
For turkey hunters, choosing the right shotgun load can mean the difference between success and a long, empty-handed walk back to the truck. While the kill isn’t always the goal, the pursuit of wild turkeys begins long before the hunt—and the memories last a lifetime. With more hunters turning to Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) for its tighter patterns, extended range, and improved lethality, finding the right load has become just as much a part of the chase as the hunt itself.
I grew up when “heavy” loads were new, and now, most manufacturers offer a tungsten alternative. Like many, I found a load that worked and stuck with it. But as technology has evolved, so has the debate: Does TSS truly provide an advantage in the field? Some like it, and some prefer lead.
One of its biggest selling points is the increased range, which allows for clean, ethical shots on birds that hang up just outside the decoys. But with that comes responsibility—extending the effective range, not encouraging longer shots.
However, TSS comes at a cost. At over $10 per shot, it’s a serious investment, especially when patterning different loads initially. While a special choke isn’t required, getting the best results out of tungsten is highly recommended. A proper choke-and-load combination maximizes lethality while maintaining downrange energy for a clean kill.
The Test
To see how today’s TSS loads really stack up, I hit the range with a 20-gauge Benelli and a 12-gauge Remington 1187, both running Jebs chokes. I ran each load at 20 and 40 yards to get a feel for pattern density, consistency, and overall performance.
20 Gauge: Benelli Montefeltro with a Jebs .565 Choke
12 Gauge: Remington 1187 with a Jebs .655
For me, 20 yards is the sweet spot when setting decoys and choosing cover for a setup. With a 12-gauge, some tungsten load patterns are so tight at that range that they are almost too close, while others can extend well beyond 40 yards. Anything less than 20 yards is tough. With a 20-gauge, 20 yards is optimal, and 40 yards is the longest shot I’d take. But no matter the setup, the goal remains the same—a bird committing to the calls or decoys and a clean, ethical shot within a responsible range.
I have killed countless birds with the Remington 1187 and Jebs Choke (.655) combo. The first box of TSS I ever patterned was a 3-inch APEX. It worked well, giving me a range of 20 to 60 yards. I liked it and built confidence so much that I got the same Jebs Choke (.565) for the Benelli 20 Gauge my son uses in the field.
I used a Caldwell Stinger adjustable rest to be consistent with each shot. The fun thing about different combinations is that each load shoots differently, and firing two or three rounds of each TSS will give an accurate picture. For this test, I shot a couple of each brand, adjusting as needed to shoot as close to the center target as possible.
With most tests, writers count individual pellets within a circle, but in this case, we are examining different loads from the same two guns for what they are visually to give readers the opportunity to make their own decisions on turkey ammunition.
APEX
20 Gauge APEX Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS – 3″, 1-5/8 oz
Having shot APEX for years, I was already familiar with their 20-gauge loads, but this was my first time patterning the Mossy Oak Greenleaf TSS—a blend of #9 over #10 pellets with the sub-gauge. Each shell contains approximately 774 pellets, designed to deliver higher pellet counts and denser pattern coverage.
At 20 yards, the shot landed slightly low but was well-centered from left to right. The bulk of the pattern fits within a 6-inch circle, with plenty of impacts extending into a 12-inch radius. The #9 pellets delivered the most damage, while the #10s effectively filled in gaps.
At 40 yards, the spread opened up but remained evenly distributed across the 12-inch target. The pattern is solid at this distance, making it about as far as I’d comfortably take a shot with a 20-gauge. Overall, a reliable option with consistent results. MSRP: $62.99/5pk
12 Gauge APEX Mossy Oak Greenleaf Turkey TSS – 3″, 2-1/4 oz
Having taken plenty of birds with APEX and patterned it multiple times, I knew exactly what to expect—especially from the Remington 1187 and Jebs combo. At 20 yards, it shredded the 6-inch circle and laid down a dense spread inside 12 inches. Beyond that, it still covered a solid portion of the target.
At 40 yards, like the other loads, it delivered a clean, even pattern across the entire sheet. The blended #9 and #10 TSS packs roughly 1,096 pellets, ensuring full coverage at longer ranges. While the smaller shot size carries less velocity and knockdown power than some, it has consistently put down birds at 40 yards and beyond. MSRP: $72.99/5pk
Boss Shotshells
20 Gauge BOSS Tom – 3″, 2-1/16 oz
At a SITKA Gear writers’ event in 2022, BOSS provided TSS ammo for the camp, and its effectiveness was undeniable on the Florida Osceola. This load is available in either #7 or #9 shot (not a blend), giving shooters a choice between 382 pellets in #7 or 747 in #9. For this test, I opted for #7.
At 20 yards, the shot produced a dense, well-placed pattern. The 6-inch circle was packed with impacts, while the 12-inch target was evenly filled. At 40 yards, the 1,050 FPS shot landed slightly low, with some pellets missing the target, but the spread was well-distributed, covering the entire 12-inch by 12-inch area. MSRP: $60/5pk
12 Gauge BOSS Tom – 2-3/4 “, 2-1/2 oz
New for 2025, the BOSS Tom 12-gauge load delivers a lethal pattern with 472 #7 pellets. At 20 yards, the test shot was slightly high and right, but most of the pattern landed within a 6-inch circle, creating dense clusters and tearing through the target. The surrounding 12-inch ring was well-filled.
Clocking in at 1,050 FPS, this TSS load hits hard. At 40 yards, it maintains an even spread across the entire target. Though the pattern remained slightly high and right, there were plenty of hits in the 6- and 12-inch circles, making this a highly effective turkey load. MSRP: $65/5pk
Federal Premium
20 Gauge Federal Heavyweight TSS – 3-inch, 1-1/2 oz
Having never shot Federal TSS before, I was eager to see how it patterned. At 20 yards, a well-placed shot delivered a devastatingly tight group within the 6-inch circle. The 1,100 FPS #9 shot load, containing 544 pellets, filled in the 12-inch circle evenly, leaving no doubts about its effectiveness.
At 40 yards, the pattern remained consistent. While the shot was slightly low, the pellets were distributed evenly across the target, instilling confidence for clean, ethical kills. MSRP: $69.99/5pk
12 Gauge Federal Heavyweight TSS – 3″, 2 oz
At 20 yards, a perfectly placed shot paints a picture of how deadly the Federal Heavyweight is at close range. While the 6-inch circle is hardly untouched, the 12-inch ring fills in evenly as well, ensuring a lethal shot at closer ranges.
While the test shot was slightly high, it is clear that the #7 and #9 blend shots do damage at 40 yards, boasting 1,150 FPS down-range velocity. Covering the target, most of the pattern is high due to shot placement and is evenly spread, filling both the 6- and 12-inch ring with many TSS pellets. MSRP: $94.99/5pk
HEVI-Shot
20 Gauge Hevi-18 Turkey TSS – 2-3/4“, 1-1/4 oz
Despite its shorter length than other loads in this test, the Hevi-18’s 451-pellet #9 shot performed impressively. At 20 yards, the pattern was concentrated within a 6-inch circle, with the 12-inch ring filling in evenly. The majority of impacts landed just below the center.
At 40 yards, the pattern held together well, maintaining an even spread. With a velocity of 1,200 FPS, this load disperses effectively at longer ranges, making it a solid choice for turkey hunters. MSRP: $75.99/5pk
12 Gauge Hevi-18 Turkey TSS – 3″, 2 oz
Loaded with 724 #9 pellets, the Hevi-18 delivers a devastatingly dense pattern at 20 yards. The 1,250 FPS load shredded the target, with the 6-inch circle packed full and the 12-inch ring well covered.
At 40 yards, the pattern remained lethal, evenly filling the target with just a few more gaps between impacts. The high downrange velocity ensures effective performance at extended ranges. MSRP: $94.99/5pk
MIGRA Ammunitions
20 Gauge MIGRA TSS Turkey – 3″, 1-5/8 oz
Best known for their waterfowl loads, MIGRA’s patented Stacked Technology—featuring #7 stacked over #9 pellets—proves as effective on turkeys. I tested this load in spring 2024 and succeeded with both 12– and 20-gauge. This 20-gauge shell contains 444 total pellets: 178 #7 and 266 #9, and flies at 1,100 FPS.
At 20 yards, the shot placement was perfect, concentrating tightly in the 6-inch circle while the #9 shot filled in around it, evenly covering the 12-inch ring.
At 40 yards, the pattern remained even, with the majority of impacts staying within the 12-inch circle. From close-range to 40 yards, MIGRA delivers a dependable TSS turkey load. MSRP: $55.99/5pk
12 Gauge MIGRA TSS Turkey – 3”, 2 oz
Similar to the 20-gauge load, the 12-gauge MIGRA patterns exceptionally well. At 20 yards, it delivered a dense 6-inch grouping with solid 12-inch coverage despite being slightly high and right. The 218 #7 pellets stacked over 327 #9 pellets tore through the target at 1,200 FPS.
At 40 yards, despite being a bit right, both the 6- and 12-inch circles were well covered, with the entire target showing ample impacts. Having successfully hunted with MIGRA in 2024, this test reinforced my confidence in their stacked loads. MSRP: $63.99/5pk
Rogue Ammunition
12 Gauge Rogue – 3″, 2-1/4 oz
I originally bought a box of Rogue 12-gauge in 2022 but hadn’t shot it until now. Including it in this test was a great decision, as its performance exceeded expectations. At 20 yards, the #9 shot nearly filled the entire 6-inch circle with devastating density. Though the shot landed slightly high, the 12-inch ring still had ample coverage.
At 40 yards, the pattern remained consistent and evenly distributed, maintaining a solid center hit. Another strong contender in this lineup, offering impressive results with my gun/choke combo. MSRP: $70/5pk
Conclusion
TSS is the real deal—offering tighter patterns, extended range, and serious knockdown power. But with a higher price tag, testing different loads becomes an investment.
This test wasn’t about counting pellets in a circle but about real-world performance and field-ready results.
Dialing in the right load for your gun and choke setup can make all the difference. The 12-gauge shines from 30 to 40 yards and beyond but can be overly tight up close.
With the right pairing, the 20-gauge excels inside 30 yards and still holds its own at longer ranges. Every manufacturer tested delivered a solid performance, and each is worth considering.
Ultimately, it comes down to knowing your gear, understanding your effective range, and planning your setup. That’s how you turn opportunity into success when it counts.
