[Ridgerunner]

I am wanting to do a little experimenting with the tungsten super shot (handloading)

Yes, I know, it is high dollar, but I would just like to try it out for performance.

Does anyone know of a supplier of this "shot"? I see where BPI offers a "tungsten iron shot", but the sizes are quite large, and I'm not sure if this is the same stuff.

I am looking for something in the #7 or preferably #8 size.


I do understand that it takes special protective wadding, such as a mylar wrap inside a steel type shot cup, or even a 20 gauge wad inside the 12 gauge steel shot cup.

Also, data for these speciality loads is terribly difficult to find.

Any and all comments/information would be very much appreciated.

Ridgerunner

 

[unclenick]

I don't have any specific load information, since I've never played with tungsten shot, but I'll hazard a guess that the iron-tungsten is an alloy attempting to bring iron shot up to the density of lead to get lead carrying characteristics. The super performance demands density higher than lead, which pure tungsten will provide.

 

[Ridgerunner]

unclenick,

Yes, the density is way up there ... ie: Lets say that lead is at density value 11 or 12. From what I have read, the density of this TSS comes in at around 18. Thus, a #8 TSS pellet delivers about the same energy at 40 yards as about a #3 or #4 lead pellet Couple that with the fact that each and every pellet roundness is maintained to near perfection, and the advantage becomes even more apparent.

Of course with the higher density, there are fewer pellets in a given size than there would be with lead, but the smaller pellets more than make up for that difference.

Going from what I have read thus far, test shooters are achieving roughly 85% to 90% patterns thru Skeet and IC chokings at 40 yards!

Interesting eh?

The loads themselves top out at around 1 1/4oz. in the 2 3/4" 12 gauge hull, and recoil is reported to be quite mild.

Sources were "Shotgun World", and NWTF, so I tend not to think this info is overly hyped.

I have indeed searched a lot, but as yet, have not found a supplier.

Ridge

 

[Ridgerunner]

Folks all,

I finally found a source ... It is called Tungsten Super Shot Inc.

I had to buy it in "kit" form, and only enough in the kit to make up 10 shells, but that is ok, as all I wanted was a few for testing.

I bought 2 kits, so 20 shells total. $$$$ Yep, the two kits came to around $43 + shipping. I bought one for the 1-1/4oz load, and the other for the 1 oz load.

The 1 oz load is listed at over 1400fps with no pellet deformation!
Should be a humdinger!

The smallest pellet they had was the #7, and that is what I ordered.

Choking choice may be an issue, but I plan on going no tighter than modified, unless testing should show otherwise.

After pattern and penetration testing, I hope to have a few left over for bushy tails, but due to seasonal dates, I may have to wait till next autumn on the squirrels.

Ridgerunner

 

[sadsit]

Keep us posted; it looks interesting. I am a big user of the tungsten alloys. I really really like the Kent Impact tungsten polymer, but it's hard to find, and expensive as all get out. I find it equals about the best I could ever get with the old nickel plated lead #1s and #3s, and that was darned good. And it's safe in anything that's safe for lead. Original Hevi-Shot is somewhat baffling. It does everything better than it should if anything we ever heard about round shot was right. I am wanting to try some Remington HD, too.
I know from an energy standpoint the Super Shot get it there in a smaller pellet, but I am wondering if the smaller wound channel will kill as efficiently. Once you get to where the pellets are going clean thru the duck, it would seem a bigger pellet is good --- I think.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good Point sadsit. I too would expevt the wound chanels to run fairly straight.

Of course, certain bone and brain hits should be quite lethal.