Opinions on shooting hand load TSS thru this old Ithaca 20. It's a fixed full 2 3/4 chamber(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/a2693e6b1dfbd094296e1899d304fa0a.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
JMHO........I wouldn't but that's just me. If you really need to both Kent and Hevi-Shot have TSS loads that are safe in older guns and double guns, special wads and buffers used.
TSS is hard no matter whose it is. I think the correct answer is a bismuth load that would be safer in older shotguns.
I didn't know if that a TSS will damage your barrel is just a wives tale. I might try bismuth. Killed a bunch of turkey with #5 lead
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Unless you're required to use nontoxic shot, stick with lead, it's more dense than bismuth. I like your old Ithaca. Still have from 1971 and my dad's from the 60's.
Short answer is no way. I'd shoot Longbeard 2 3/4" Rooster XR.
stay with lead.Just my 2 cents
Quote from: ahfox16 on February 23, 2020, 03:12:18 PM
Short answer is no way. I'd shoot Longbeard 2 3/4" Rooster XR.
They make this in 20ga?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tss is quantitatively harder than the barrel ...any barrel or choke ever made , if the correct precautions are taken it's safe to shoot (in modern shotguns ), if one pellet falls outside the wad and into the hull ...well that's how you get a long score right up your barrel , same could de said if it's a hand load steel , hevi or hw
But you should be concerned with the fixed choke ...these types of chokes are more abrupt in geometry
If it were me , I wouldn't do it
old guns deserve to used in used in nostalgia ways....lead only in my opinion.
I will echo Shannon's comments above about TSS being harder on a gun.
I would run a 1 oz load of 7 1/2 s in that gun and kill any turkey that stepped over the 30 yard line.
It will probably bulge your barrel at a minimum.
I would stick with lead those are nice guns not worth the risk. I have may grandfather's old Stevens 311 20 that I killed a turkey with 3 years ago with heavy dove load #6 patterned great I also rabbit hunt with gun every season it fits just right.
My suggestion is based on what I have done in your situation. Which is, enjoy the nostalgia of huntin' with your grandpa's gun and use some old lead shells like he would have done. Leave all the fancy gear behind and go hunt like he would have. I've done it a couple times and it's been some of my more memorable hunts.