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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Lou2024 on February 05, 2026, 10:09:42 PM

Title: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: Lou2024 on February 05, 2026, 10:09:42 PM
I recently made a purchase from a online gun store, which is well known, after seeing pre-tariff prices and their web page showing the typical photo of Apex TSS GT-20 20 gauge 1 5/8 oz #9 shot. On taking delivery this week, two things stood out, first the packaging box for the Apex GT-20 was completely different, all black with a image of a turkey on it, though it was label was correct, second one of three boxes was the wrong size shot 7.5 shot, which is considerable less in load (about 140 pellets). First has anyone seen anything new from Apex on the GT-20 or is this an older lot. Second never shot 7.5 and have no idea how well it will pattern, should I just return, at the price don't need a lack lusting premium shell.
Thoughts appreciated
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: mcw3734 on February 05, 2026, 10:34:46 PM
I received some Apex ammo just a few weeks ago. Like you, the packages were all black with a turkey on it.
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: Dtrkyman on February 05, 2026, 11:05:48 PM
I loaded some 7.5 for legal reasons to hunt a state I drew one year, they were adequate but no where near the 9s I typically shoot!

Apex should make it right.
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: accttiger on February 06, 2026, 12:37:35 AM
The Apex 20 gauge no. 9s I purchased last year were all black box...blue writing with the Apex logo in blue with a raised silhouette of a turkey behind the logo in black.
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: Number17 on February 06, 2026, 08:09:13 AM
The 7.5 will run out of pattern density before they run out of range.
9's are the better choice.
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: GobbleNut on February 06, 2026, 03:48:01 PM
It all depends on how dead you want that gobbler to be. At the ranges you should ethically be pulling the trigger, either load is gonna kill 'em plenty dead.  :angel9:
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: crow on February 06, 2026, 10:05:42 PM
Those 7.5's will make a good 2nd shot (follow up shot) if ever needed.

I sometimes hunt with a single shot 20 ga. With fixed xfull, #8 tss first shot, #7 tss for a fast reload follow up if needed
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: Brian Stewart on February 07, 2026, 02:23:08 AM
Ive killed a boat load of turkeys with #7 hevishot from Nitro company back when they first started loading with it a long long time ago.  Thats all I shot in my 20ga for years. Back then I was hunting multiple states and they were a lot more turkeys and tagging out was something that was important in my younger years.  Back then 50 yards was dead with my 20 gauges .  The #7s is the reason I've not used a 12ga since my first season with them.  Turkeys are not hard to kill. 7.5s might not be the #9 band wagon  that most  people are  on.  If they're good enough for follow up shots why aren't they good enough for 1st shots? If I remember right I was getting 230+ pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards. Again  turkeys they're not that hard to kill with about any turkey load inside of 40 yards thats made today. You can only kill them so dead.  Im pretty certain a 7.5 nickel plated lead will kill one at 40 yards all day long by my testing on tin. 
Title: Re: Apex GT-20 TSS 7.5 Shot
Post by: davisd9 on February 07, 2026, 07:55:09 AM
If you shoot respectable yardages and do not feel the need to crack shot one at 55 then you will be fine. You will not see the blow me away patterns at 40 yards but many must have never shot a can at 20, went and counted 10 hits, and then back up 5 yards continuing the process until you could not get 5 hits or so in the can.


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