I made an impulse purchase yesterday and bought a very expensive box of 20 gauge Black Cloud TSS. They are 3" shells and consist of 60 percent No. 9 Heavy weight TSS and 40 percent No. 3 Flitestopper Steel.

We are in CA so no lead ammo is allowed...

I bought the shells thinking they might be an effective turkey load for the kids' 20 gauge. I will have the kids pattern a few to see how the do, but I would appreciate your thoughts, especially if any of you have had any experience with them on turkeys.

Thanks,

Beyond the cost, I'm not sure I've heard of anyone not being happy with the performance of TSS turkey loads.

I was considering the same load in a 410. Should be pretty hard hitting stuff BUT you might need to try different chokes to see which patterns best.

Randy Wakeman isn't impressed.

https://www.randywakeman.com/Prairie_Storm_Shotshells.htm

That link is about an entirely different load.

I have used a .410 pump with #4 buck and got my turkey. He was only 15 yards though.

what's the payload on the black cloud? I know the standard federal 3" TSS I shoot in 20 gauge with a longbeard choke would still be a legitimate 40 yard gun with only 60% the payload not even taking the steel shot into account.

Developed to be a waterfowl load I believe, but w/ that much #9 TSS I would think it would be just fine for turkeys.. if they pattern in your gun. Don't know your laws buy they would be illegal where I live... the 3's too big and the 9's too small... DE hasn't even addressed TSS or blended shot as a legal option yet.
Good luck, let us know how they do...

Illegal in Iowa as well. Dumb! I'd have 0 interest in the #3 steel but that TSS and a lightweight .410 would be awesome for long hikes in the turkey woods.

I bought some tss for my son's 4 10 it's the 1st year we get to go hunting and only shells available at the time I was looking. Number 9 shot 30 yards I put 20 plus pellets in the head I was impressed... However 40 yards I had like 5 so under 30 yards we should be good. I paid like 6 dollar a shell so we have to go sparingly.

I am sold on heavy shot 4's or 5's for turkey. I have some blended with 7 1/2, 5's and 6's too. Steel looses it's energy to fast, found that out waterfowl hunting for years. Real close shot wouldn't matter. Steel, so use a modified and not a tight choke gives you a better pattern with no chance of a bridge at the choke.

I had 3 different 410's and thought about buying into the idea of turkey hunting with them ONLY because my son was 6 when that craze started. I honestly don't see how ANY of my 3 could kill a squirrel at 20 yards! Even with the TSS, I was lucky to get 20
pellets on the poster board at 30. Absolute joke and I couldn't get rid of them fast enough. Thankfully, he was able to handle the wife's 20 with TSS and those patterns are absolutey vicious at 30 yards. I've patterned the Browning and Federal, both are excellent.

The only ammo that doesn’t fly off the shelves here - easy to get if you want to pay up for them, even the .410 loads.

Lol. Be nice to find them like that here. It’s like an Easter egg hunt even for those.

I wouldn’t shoot anything with steel at turkeys. It’s hard enough killing ducks with it. Not sure if Heavyweight or Hevi13 is still available anywhere, but that would give you a somewhat cheaper option over TSS. I shot Hevi13 #7.5 for years before switching to TSS about 5 years ago. It was good stuff...and it was in a 20ga too. I shoot #9 TSS now in the 20. If you go with TSS don’t buy the large shot, it’s not needed. Buy the smallest your State allows. #9 TSS hits harder than #4 lead, with over twice as many pellets.