Question on Apex vs Federal Premium TSS...

[Stevie Ray]

Thought I was going to get some Apex Mossy Oak Greenleaf or Apex 3" #9 TSS but I see they're out of stock now but Apex has 2 3/4" #9 TSS in stock and I can find Federal Premium 3" #9 TSS available, out of those two loads which would y'all choose ... this is for a 20 gauge Mossberg Bantam.

This will be my first year shooting a 20 gauge and my first year shooting TSS so I am in the dark as to which load to use.

Also, whenever Apex is out of stock on a particular ammo how long does it typically take for them to have it back in stock?

Thanks!

 

[Dupree]

I shoot the apex ninja loads. They are 8.5’s. You may be able to get them from Mack’s PW or woodhaven.

 

[Dupree]

Mack’s PW doesn’t have the ninja in stock, but they do have 3” #9’s. In my experience apex is way superior than federal.

 

[BASS1FUN]

Neither I would buy from Nitro Ammunition out of Missouri

 

[Beagler282]

I shoot the Federal 7s, 9s and Apex 9s in my Mossberg bantam. All do very well. I do prefer that Apex since it has more pellets. All are 3" shells.

 

[Stevie Ray]

Mack’s PW doesn’t have the ninja in stock, but they do have 3” #9’s. In my experience apex is way superior than federal. View attachment 1213440

Actually Mack's did have the Ninja's in stock so I ordered a box, after I pattern them I'll see how they do and will probably order a couple of more boxes ... Thanks Dupree!

 

[Stevie Ray]

I shoot the Federal 7s, 9s and Apex 9s in my Mossberg bantam. All do very well. I do prefer that Apex since it has more pellets. All are 3" shells.

Good deal, I ordered a box of Ninja's and I'll see how they do in my Bantam.

 

[Dupree]

Actually Mack's did have the Ninja's in stock so I ordered a box, after I pattern them I'll see how they do and will probably order a couple of more boxes ... Thanks Dupree!

They will be more than adequate in that gun with just a full choke. A turkey choke might be too tight for my liking. I’ve been more partial to a .575-.590 choke in 20gauges with tss. I like wiggle room.

 

[Dupree]

Good deal, I ordered a box of Ninja's and I'll see how they do in my Bantam.

And for the record, I own a bantam. My son killed his first couple of birds with it, but now I loan it out to friends with smaller kids.

 

[Stevie Ray]

They will be more than adequate in that gun with just a full choke. A turkey choke might be too tight for my liking. I’ve been more partial to a .575-.590 choke in 20gauges with tss. I like wiggle room.

I've got a Carlson's non ported extended .575 choke for that gun and I believe the factory extra full(?) choke that came with the gun measured .585 constriction IIRC. I did pattern test it and dialed in the red dot with the Carlson's choke using cheap game loads and I was really happy so I'm hoping a quick single round shot with the Ninja's will have it ready to roll.

 

[Dupree]

I've got a Carlson's non ported extended .575 choke for that gun and I believe the factory extra full(?) choke that came with the gun measured .585 constriction IIRC. I did pattern test it and dialed in the red dot with the Carlson's choke using cheap game loads and I was really happy so I'm hoping a quick single round shot with the Ninja's will have it ready to roll.

That .575 should throw a nice even pattern. I’ve got 7-8 boxes of the ninjas, if you were closer I’d offer you some to go ahead and try.

 

[sea trout]

I like apex a little more than federal but i like them both.
I would definetley get the 3" federal before I got the 2 3/4 apex though if that was my choice

 

[Stevie Ray]

That .575 should throw a nice even pattern. I’ve got 7-8 boxes of the ninjas, if you were closer I’d offer you some to go ahead and try.

Thanks for the offer, that's mighty nice of you!

I actually hand load most all of my rifle, pistol and some shotgun ammo so I'm planning on hand loading the TSS whenever I gather up the components once I get past this season.

 

[devolve]

Another vote for apex 9’s. I patterned them in A mossberg 535 with the factory turkey choke. The pattern is ridiculous, I forget the percentage of pellet retention i counted, but it blew me away. I was very skeptical about TSS 9’s for a long time because of the pellet size. I’m old school and shot 3.5” #4 lead forever.
I’ve shot 7 or 8 birds with tss now and I’m 1,000% sold forever.

 

[bfriendly]

Not gonna bust out the cash for TSS just yet, but has any of y’all shot the Herters brand? Cabela’s had a bunch of TSS in different brands……I’m not ready to $hoot a $13 shell

 

[Gaswamp]

Not gonna bust out the cash for TSS just yet, but has any of y’all shot the Herters brand? Cabela’s had a bunch of TSS in different brands……I’m not ready to $hoot a $13 shell

what gun and shell u currently using?

 

[Lumpkin Hunter]

I shoot a youth model 11-87 20 g. with a flush mount Carlson .580 choke and get very good patterns from the Federal #9 and the 2 3/4" Apex #9. The pattern opens up slightly around 10 yards to about 10" then at 40 yards almost all pellets are in a 20" circle. I can't ask for better than that.
My gun has an issue feeding the 2nd shell into the chamber when shooting the roll crimp 3" shells but the Apex 2 3/4" shells feed as a second shell very well. The first shell is the Federal 3" #9. I've killed a few birds with them and they are deadly. I shot one a little farther than I rhought it was due to the openness of the woods at the time. It hammered the gobbler hard, I'll just say it was past 40 closer to 50 yards. I miss judged the distance and he got skidish, I shot when the other two separated from the strutter.

Either shell will give you great results if you don't choke it down too much. From what I understand TSS doesn't need a tight choke a more open choke will perform great in a 20 gauge for most people. My son in law shoots a .575 extended Carlson, I've also tried a .572" extended ported choke which done OK but the .580" flush Carlson choke I bought from BPS for $15.00 works the best in my gun.

 

[bfriendly]

what gun and shell u currently using?

I’ve got a Baikal(Russian Remington) semi-auto 12 ga. Shooting Winchester #s 5&6 in 3”. Black box like @antharper has and the silver box Turkey load.

I shoot a youth model 11-87 20 g. with a flush mount Carlson .580 choke and get very good patterns from the Federal #9 and the 2 3/4" Apex #9. The pattern opens up slightly around 10 yards to about 10" then at 40 yards almost all pellets are in a 20" circle. I can't ask for better than that.
My gun has an issue feeding the 2nd shell into the chamber when shooting the roll crimp 3" shells but the Apex 2 3/4" shells feed as a second shell very well. The first shell is the Federal 3" #9. I've killed a few birds with them and they are deadly. I shot one a little farther than I rhought it was due to the openness of the woods at the time. It hammered the gobbler hard, I'll just say it was past 40 closer to 50 yards. I miss judged the distance and he got skidish, I shot when the other two separated from the strutter.

Either shell will give you great results if you don't choke it down too much. From what I understand TSS doesn't need a tight choke a more open choke will perform great in a 20 gauge for most people. My son in law shoots a .575 extended Carlson, I've also tried a .572" extended ported choke which done OK but the .580" flush Carlson choke I bought from BPS for $15.00 works the best in my gun.

Ok, these chokes are 20ga models right? I was looking at these numbers and getting baffled. I have a Turkey choke that’s a .665. This gun takes a tru-choke thread and it ain’t been easy to find them. Before that I had a .700 which was listed as full Turkey……I think the .665 is super full

 

[Gaswamp]

I’ve got a Baikal(Russian Remington) semi-auto 12 ga. Shooting Winchester #s 5&6 in 3”. Black box like @antharper has and the silver box Turkey load.


Ok, these chokes are 20ga models right? I was looking at these numbers and getting baffled. I have a Turkey choke that’s a .665. This gun takes a tru-choke thread and it ain’t been easy to find them. Before that I had a .700 which was listed as full Turkey……I think the .665 is super full

If you are using a 12ga and ur not into shooting long distances, then I would just stick to lead

 

[Ruger#3]

Not gonna bust out the cash for TSS just yet, but has any of y’all shot the Herters brand? Cabela’s had a bunch of TSS in different brands……I’m not ready to $hoot a $13 shell

TSS lets you use lighter gauges, lighters guns. If you’re going to tote a 12 it makes little sense, stick to lead. I like toting a 5 lb Turkey gun, got rid of my 12.