https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/what-are-five-new-critical-metal-exports-restricted-by-china-2025-02-04/
TUNGSTEN
Tungsten is an ultra-hard metal, in terms of strength outdone only by diamonds, and is primarily used in the production of goods including artillery shells, armour plating and cutting tools.
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Approximately 60% of its U.S. consumption goes to making tungsten carbide, a highly durable material widely used across construction, metalworking, and oil and gas drilling.
Like many other critical minerals, China dominates the production and export of tungsten and produced just over 80% of global supply in 2023.
Based on analysis by UK-based consultancy Project Blue, China supplies 30% of the ex-China market, mostly in the form of powders for tooling applications.
Other producers include Vietnam, Russia, South Korea, and Spain.
Tungsten has not been mined commercially in the United States since 2015, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
China restricted eight types of tungsten products and the methods to make them.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-expands-critical-mineral-export-controls-after-us-imposes-tariffs-2025-02-04/
Well, back to the 12 gauge and lead. Kills them just as dead and doesn't drain the wallet. For me, I never jumped on the TSS train, I have a lifetime supply of the True Hevi-13 7's and will continue shooting them.
Hasn't been mined in US since 2105 I'm sure that's due to some environmental BS so maybe that will change.
I have enough for a few seasons I think. This will pass. The US can't do without these minerals too terribly long. The trade deal will be worked out before too long.
Been considering using a lighter payload, maybe I will drop from the 1 5/8th oz to 1 1/4?
Oh well I guess the season of shooting all my birds with dove loads may come to fruition in the near future?
Based on my prior 5-year average, I have enough TSS to last me 14 more years. Therefore, at this point, I'm only buying it when it's a smoking deal anyway. I still have enough copper plated 6s to last me the rest of my life I'm pretty sure.
That being said, this too shall pass. They'll figure it out. Our govt printing money like it's a monopoly game is more of an issue than this tariff.
Supply will shrink for sure. China is the largest producer not the only producer. As supply shrinks prices will increase. And as we've seen with ammunition as a whole the last decade and a half, people will freak and panic buy further driving the price. Simple economics.
Quote from: joey46 on February 08, 2025, 07:41:24 AMBe curious of the reaction from those that attend the big NWTF Convention next week. As for me at 78 years old I probably have enough TSS for my remaining days. This will really put a crimp in those that switched to the smaller guns. the 410 will again be a squirrel gun.
I can see people stocking up like toilet paper during the pandemic.
Wouldn't doubt some serious price gouging going on! Perfect place and situation to increase your profit margin.
Quote from: bbcoach on February 08, 2025, 07:11:12 AMWell, back to the 12 gauge and lead. Kills them just as dead and doesn't drain the wallet.
Agreed....I just bought 16 boxes of turkey loads from a buddy at work. His Grandpa, long time turkey hunter, passed away recently. He asked me how many boxes I wanted, and I said all of them...good investment I suppose.
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I'm not going to worry about it, I have enough shells for all my turkey guns lead, TSS etc, I do hate it for others that are just now getting into turkey hunting. I do feel at some point TSS will price itself out of the market for most turkey hunters.
I have been telling others for years that you don't wait until you need to buy shells to buy them, you need to shop all year long for ammo. IMO
It's like guns the so called cheap guns are not so cheap anymore and now look at what the better guns cost..
Looks like Hevi shot brought back Hevi 13 20ga number 7s!
Quote from: CALLM2U on February 08, 2025, 10:46:45 AMBased on my prior 5-year average, I have enough TSS to last me 14 more years.
Same here. Unless breaking a fall flock. Some breaks can get a bit expensive till its said and done.
Buy TSS in the summer/fall. Buy rifle ammo in the spring/summer.
I had a fair amount of hand loaded shells stocked up, until last spring I had to return a choke that was bulged, got a new one and it did not pattern as well, tried another choke and got the patterns I wanted but had to dial it in.
Switched from iron sight to a dot.
Tried a speed bead that I rigged on a gun It wasn't made for, it lasted half the season and came lose, got a sumtoy mount and dialed in with that.
So I wasted more ammo than ever last spring!
Quote from: paboxcall on February 08, 2025, 02:39:08 PMQuote from: CALLM2U on February 08, 2025, 10:46:45 AMBased on my prior 5-year average, I have enough TSS to last me 14 more years.
Same here. Unless breaking a fall flock. Some breaks can get a bit expensive till its said and done.
Buy TSS in the summer/fall. Buy rifle ammo in the spring/summer.
Classic example of the benefits of hunting with a SXS in the fall. Quality trap load in the right barrel for shooting flushed grouse/or breaking a flock, tss in the left barrel.
It's much cheaper
Quote from: crow on February 08, 2025, 04:28:46 PMClassic example of the benefits of hunting with a SXS in the fall. Quality trap load in the right barrel for shooting flushed grouse/or breaking a flock, tss in the left barrel.
It's much cheaper
You're just trying to get me to break that old Fox out of retirement....maybe...
it's the perfect storm, and you look classy
https://apexmunition.com/shop/turkey-tss/gt-20-20-gauge-turkey-tss-ammo/
went from $60 to $80 for five, in the past 12 months
https://saltcreekammo.com/blogs/theturkeytimes/the-tungsten-shockwave-what-s-behind-the-tss-price-explosion
Quote from: 76chevy on January 02, 2026, 10:59:29 AMhttps://apexmunition.com/shop/turkey-tss/gt-20-20-gauge-turkey-tss-ammo/
went from $60 to $80 for five, in the past 12 months
Where I had been buying from, Rogers Sporting Goods, went from 49 to 54 since last year, and in the past week up to $76 I think it was.
Wow... pricey!
It's gone wild.
Sheesh! Glad I have a couple boxes squirreled back.
The shot has gone up $30 per pound in last 3 months.
I like 9s, but I can go right back to lead 5s with no problem. Will help stop some of the 70-80 yard pop shot participation trophies as well.
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I'm sitting on somewhere between 40-45 lbs. I shoot a 700 grain load that equals 10 shells per pound in a 20 and a 2 oz load in a 12. I can probably never buy anymore for the rest of my life but....
If anyone is looking for apex 12 ga Ninja 3 inch 2 1/4 oz load I have 2 boxes posted in the ammo classified section. These have gone to $100 a box now at Apex. $160 shipped for both.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55000526594_1a15288d70_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rNd5nh)
I hunted spring Gobblers 20 straight years with a bow or crossbow except for one morning i carried a 20 ga. The past several years i started shotgunning again.
I'll have to go count but i think i have 6 each 12 and 20 tss loaded up and 8 lbs of TSS and 2 boxes of .410. Ill run the over under 20 with TSS in the top barrel and lead in the bottom barrel or carry the crossbow.
The last TSS i bought was $55 a pound i see its $92 now. If i kill 2 a year at 67 years old i should be setting pretty. If i don't miss LOL.
I was not surprised to see the price increase, but approx 35% is substantial. I would guess that most turkey hunters don't shoot more than 5-10 rounds a year, the cost while high, most will still continue to buy a box or two for the performance and confidence they offer.
I replaced a red dot, and tightened another that I found loose last year.
Gonna hurt a little more to shoot those final sight in shots this year. Gotta happen tho.
I think I have enough to last me a couple decades. And if it's too pricy when I need to buy again, I'll happily go back to lead.
Ballistics products has the TSS 15 that the old Federal heavyweight #7's used to be loaded with. I love it and it is cheaper than the TSS 18. It can be loaded in all gauges and is deadly. Just another alternative. Z
I ordered some Winchester long beard XR's couple nights ago. Going back to lead. 95 bucks for 5 apex shells is a no go for me.
Search GunBroker. Still some 2025 prices if you look around. Shipping might be high but still cheaper than what you're going to pay in the days ahead.
Ive got a handful of apex. Just ordered a box of Migra. But soon will order some longbeard xr. Or something like that.
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I found some at 2025 pricing and added a few boxes last week. Shipping was a bit high and I added a box of Winchester Longbeards to try.
I live in WV and back 30+ years ago a gentleman named Gary Groves from Friendly, WV built me a turkey gun. Gary has passed on. I thought he was a great man, a friend and ahead of his time. I'm sure some of the members here from OH/WV may have heard of or known him. Anyway, long story short I'll have to break Gary's gun out and try my LB XR's in it. Hopefully he'll be smiling down on me.
Today's price is tomorrow's bargain.
Anytime you need help getting off the fence about buying something, just think of that.
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We will probably see a shortage of XR Long Beards in the future with the big increases of TSS ...
Never wait until you need shells to buy shells .. IMO
Has anybody ordered shot from Hal lately? What is his current price per pound of shot?
92lb from Hal, price goes down with volume, 82 and change per for 6lbs. Ouch!
I still have 2 boxes of Apex 12 ga Ninja 3 inch 2 1/4 oz for sale at last year prices