10ga TSS loads for coyote/bobcat

[UPEgger]

I loaded up some 10ga test rounds to decide what to use for the forthcoming predator calling season. Went out today and tested a couple of #2TSS loads. A 2oz and a 2.5oz load. I only shot two rounds of each load. 40 yds and 60yds. Choke is a Browning Xtra full turkey choke. Bbl is 24". My batch of #2TSS weighs 56 pellets per oz. Because of cost only four rounds total were fired.

2oz @ 40yards. 10"= 53 hits, 10-20"= 33 hits, 20-30"= 12 hits. 0-30" was 102 hits. 94% pattern.
20z @ 60 yds. 10"=18hits, 10-20"= 31 hits, 20-30"= 48hits. 0-30" 97 hits. 90% pattern

2.5oz @40yds. 10"=62 hits, 10-20"= 42 hits, 20-30"=17hits. 0-30"= 121 hits. 90% pattern
2.5oz @60yds. 10" 35 hits, 10-20"= 49hits, 20-30"= 17hits. 0-30"= 111 hits. 82% pattern.

The two oz load is a BP load and the two and a half oz load is Hal's. I did not use buffer. I will load a couple more of each and retest with buffer. If the buffer improves the patterns then I will use it when loading up the rest of my TSS 10ga rounds. I have enough #2TSS to load 55 of the 2.5oz rounds and enough #4TSS for 34 of the 2.0oz rounds.

Carl L.

[derbyacresbob]

And I thought I was crazy for loading up some 12 ga 3-1/2" 1-7/8 oz loads of TSS #2 shot! LOL

I have quite a few 3" 12 ga 1-1/2 oz loads of TSS #2, #3 and #4 shot loaded for coyotes. The 1-1/2 oz loads have worked great on coyotes for me.

I think I would stick with the 2 oz loads in the 10 ga and load more shells instead of loading the 2-1/2 oz loads. 112 #2 shot TSS pellets in a 2 oz load sounds unbelievably good to me.

I have had very good results on coyotes with 1-1/2 oz of Federal Heavyweight #2 shot on coyotes and it only has 90 pellets per shell.

Thanks for posting your great TSS #2 pattern results!

[hawglips]

Those look nasty....

[UPEgger]

My dental vibrator came in the mail today. So I can load up some buffered loads in both 12 and 10ga and then get back to the range and pattern papers.

Carl L.

[UPEgger]

Ran out of time. Got everything loaded with buffer included. Did not get a chance to get to the range to do some pattern testing prior to leaving the U.P.. I doubt that the PSB buffer will cause patterns to be less dense. ?????. Should be able to get out with "them" in a couple of weeks for some field testing. Hopefully this will be a good year. All my ducks are in line AND in step.

Carl L.
Winter Quarters

[UPEgger]

Update..... I stopped predator calling in Nov 2018. There seemed to be more callers than predators in southeast CA.......

Went out yesterday @ 2PM and did some calling. Results. Six stands, two female coyotes. stand #2 coyote arrived at the 42 second mark. Stand #5 coyote arrived at the 8min 30sec mark. Ranges were both about 45yds. Both came at a hard run.

Both coyotes were "victims" of my 2oz load of #2TSS(which I, of course, got from Hal). The shotgun is my old steel frame Browning Gold 10ga auto. It weighs in @ 11lbs empty.

An additional note. I have a Beretta A400 Xtrem Plus 12ga (left hand model) which I purchased to use for ducks and coyotes. My coyote load is a 1 5/8oz #4TSS. It weighs in at 8lbs even. The felt recoil from the 10ga Browning seems just a little bit less. Go figger

Carl L.
Winter Quarters

[Ridge Rooster]

Did you ever test the buffered loads? Fixin to start loading for my BPS 10 and curious about the 2.5oz load?

Thanks
Ridge Rooster

[UPEgger]

No buffered 10ga shells tested. Also agree with Derby Bob, 2.5oz is not needed. My hunting loads are: 2.0 oz of #2TSS in the 10ga and 1 5/8 oz #4TSS in the A400 12 ga. I have 10lbs of #3TSS waiting for ?????. Just counted my rounds for the forth coming "season". 55 rounds of 10ga #2TSS and 18 rounds of 10ga #4TSS. All 2.0oz. As backup I have 27 rounds of 12 ga #4TSS. Should be enough for awhile.

Carl L.

[UPEgger]

Finally got off my butt and loaded up some 12 ga shells with #3 TSS. 1 5/8oz. Gun is my Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus LH. Went to the range and shot two 12 ga rounds at 40yds. With the Kicks .670 I got 86 hits in 30". With the Beretta standard Full Choke (that came with the gun new) I got 102 hits in the 30" circle. It appears that my gun likes the .670 choke for #2 TSS(1 5/8oz) and the Beretta standard full choke for #3 and #4 TSS. All of these shells are/were buffered. My buffer of choice is Precision Reloading buffer. The load and shot is from "Hawglips". I find myself leaning towards the "lighter" TSS pellets. I rarely shoot a coyote in excess of 45 yards, so pellet penetration is not a factor. eg. #4 compared to #2. But I now have 72 12ga shells loaded up with 1 5/8oz of #3TSS, so that is what will be used. My next ten pound order from Hal will be #4TSS though.
Carl L.
Summer Quarters