TSS turkey loads are transforming turkey hunting with their smaller, heavier pellets.
But here’s the twist: turkey hunters didn’t need an alternative to lead. It was already effective and legal. But when new tungsten and bismuth waterfowl loads proved so effective, turkey hunters were quick to adopt the new technology.
And it’s why tungsten has changed the turkey world. It can turn smaller-gauge shotguns like the .410 and 28 into serious performers. Just don’t expect bargain pricing.
With today’s TSS turkey loads, “heavy metal” isn’t just a catchy idea, it’s physics. Let's take a look at the science.
READ MORE: Chasing Merriam’s Turkey With Michael Waddell | Hook & Barrel Magazine
Why TSS Turkey Loads Hit So Hard
One of the biggest benefits of TSS is it offers more pellets than traditional lead in the same size shells. This has completely changed the turkey hunting game by making smaller gauge shotguns powerful performers.
Shotshells are further defined by the size of the individual pellets inside, with a higher number (9) designating very small shot, and a lower number (4) representing larger.
If you’re like me, you want as many pellets in the pattern as possible.
The tradeoff is smaller pellets traditionally weighed less and didn't carry as much energy to the target. TSS changed that dynamic.
Weight Is the Key to Hard-Hitting Turkey Loads
Think of it this way: a golf ball and a ping-pong ball are about the same size and shape, but if both were shot out of a gun, which would hit harder and do more damage?
I’d much rather be hit by the ping-pong ball than the golf ball, and that’s because a golf ball is dramatically more dense.
Density (grams/cubic centimeter) is the main driver of the story. Steel shot is about 7.8 g/cc, lead is 11.34, bismuth shot runs around 9.6, and TSS is about 18.
That makes TSS roughly 60% denser than lead and about 130% denser than steel, which is why waterfowl hunters started looking beyond steel for more downrange energy!
The steel loads they were using at the time weren’t bringing down as many birds, and they were wounding more. No hunter wants to wound more game.
That's evidenced by the turkey conservation success story.
TSS and Traditional Lead Offer Plenty of Choices
In the late 1980s, manufacturers began to introduce alternative and still non-toxic pellet choices for waterfowlers.
Bismuth (9.6 g/cc) and tungsten (18 g/cc), both heavier than steel, became the most successful.
If you go to a sporting goods store today, you’ll see heavy metal turkey loads built around one or more of these principles: denser shot, higher pellet counts and pellet-size choices.
Keep in mind lead is still a heavy metal, and there are still lots of super-effective lead-based shotshells available.
Which type of load is right for you depends largely on your hunting preferences, and your budget. The biggest drawback of the newer tungsten shotshells is their price.
Expect to spend between $50–$125 for five for premium tungsten/TSS, depending on gauge and retailer.
I used to cringe about shooting a broadhead-tipped arrow that would cost me just a little over $20, so the thought of blowing an Andrew Jackson every time I pull the trigger on my turkey gun is mind-blowing. On the other hand, it’s really good stuff.
New Turkey Loads Are Easier on the Shoulder
TSS turkey loads have completely changed the way turkey hunters look at their turkey shotguns.
It wasn’t that long ago that turkey hunters wanted nothing but 3 1/2-inch magnum loads from 12 gauges only. And 10 gauges were a real option. Anybody who’s spent time patterning a turkey gun knows the drawback of heavy gauges and 3 1/2-inch magnum shotshells. Ouch!
Today, several gun manufacturers are making .410 shotguns specifically to meet the demand of all the TSS fans who now feel a 12 gauge is overkill. And they’re flying off the shelves.
Considering how stubborn turkey hunters are about sticking with their favorite turkey calls and turkey hunting vests, that's saying a lot.
I’m so old-school that I can’t get my head around the thought of using a .410 for turkeys, but I have a sweet-shooting little 28 gauge that will see some time in the woods this spring.
Just like with music, the more choices, the better, so if TSS gives you a case of sticker shock, there are plenty of great heavy-metal alternatives to traditional lead. And, to be clear, that 3 1/2-inch 12 gauge in #5 lead shot will still kill any turkey in the woods. It all comes down to how you hunt and how much you can spend.
What follows is a quick peek at some excellent options for spring toms.
Top-Rated Tungsten Shell Options (TSS / high-density tungsten)
Best For: maximum pellet count + penetration, especially if you’re running a sub-gauge or stretching your effective range.
Federal TSS
Federal offers a wide range of Heavyweight TSS turkey loads across multiple gauges and uses extremely high-density tungsten-based shot (about 18 g/cc), which is dramatically denser than lead.
They’re available from .410 to 12 gauge. Shot sizes of #7 and #9 are the standard in TSS because smaller tungsten pellets still hit hard and penetrate well for their size.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-18
HEVI-18 is HEVI-Shot’s high-density tungsten option aimed at hunters who want maximum pellet energy and penetration.
HEVI-Shot is also known for offering mixed pellet-size options in some turkey loads, so if you like the idea of a blended payload with a few ultra-hard hitters in the mix, it’s worth a look.
Mid-Tier Heavy Shell Options (bismuth and tungsten alloy)
Best For: a noticeable step up from lead without paying full TSS prices.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-13
HEVI-13 uses a tungsten alloy around 12 g/cc and is marketed as delivering roughly 20% more effective range and energy than comparable lead loads.
It’s priced between traditional lead and full-density 18 g/cc TSS options, while offering a noticeable upgrade over standard lead performance.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth
HEVI-Shot’s HEVI Bismuth uses a 100% bismuth payload (listed at 9.6 g/cc) and is marketed as 22% denser than steel, with a blended #4/#5 offering.
Depending on gauge and retailer, pricing is often around $25 for five (varies by SKU).
Proven Budget Performance Shells (plated lead)
Best For: proven turkey-killing performance at a friendlier price, especially in 12 and 20 gauge.
Winchester Double X
Winchester’s Double X is a long-time staple built around copper-plated lead shot and features like Grex buffering to help maintain pattern density.
It’s available in multiple gauges and is often priced around $20-$30 for a box of 10, depending on load and retailer.
Federal Grand Slam
Federal hasn’t walked away from its lead-based turkey ammo. New for 2026 is a Grand Slam Realtree 40th Anniversary Edition copper-plated lead offering. Federal lists the 20-gauge 40th Anniversary load at $23.99 for a box of 10 (pricing varies elsewhere).
Winchester Long Beard XR
Long Beard XR is another strong copper-plated lead option, built around Winchester’s Shot-Lok concept for tighter, longer-range patterns. Winchester markets it as putting twice the pellets in a 10-inch circle out to 60 yards compared to traditional lead turkey loads.
John Radzwilla's first-hand experience with Long Beard XR was an epic hunt in Nebraska that shows its field-proven, long-range dominance on wild turkeys.
If you’re looking for performance above its price, it’s a legit contender, typically $29-$35 for 10, depending on shell length and gauge.
