Federal Custom Shop TSS shotshells are long range waterfowl loads that travel up to 1450 fps and can put dense patterns downrange for duck and goose hunting with the right choke tube. Custom Shop TSS loads contain Tungsten Super Shot pellets that are heavier than any other shot on the market. These shells have proven to be a great choice for extending your range for those tough to bring down birds.
Several choke tubes work really well with Custom Shop TSS ammo. Carlson’s non-ported Cremator choke tube is the top choice when it comes to performance with TSS. In this review we’ll discuss the chokes that can work best with Custom Shop TSS waterfowl ammo and go into more detail of what Custom Shop TSS actually is.
Federal Custom Shop TSS Choke Tubes
These are the three choke tubes you should consider using with Custom Shop TSS ammo. They provide dense patterns downrange and work well with TSS pellets.
1) Carlson’s Cremator Choke Tube
The Carlson’s Cremator choke tube is an excellent choice for hunters who need a versatile choke that can perform well with a variety of shotshell loads. This choke tube uses a unique design that consists of multiple tapers, which work together to provide a consistent shot pattern. This makes the Cremator ideal for hunting situations where you need to be able to adjust your shooting style quickly and accurately.
Carlson’s non-ported version of the Cremator choke tube has proven to work well with Custom Shop TSS ammunition. It’s available in both medium range (MR) and long range (LR). These chokes are .710” (improved cylinder) and .700” (modified), respectively. This choke and ammo combo is capable of putting 90% of TSS pellets in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. This is the TOP pick.
- 30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No other...
- HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURED: Our high...
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Carlson's Choke Tubes...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: We back all of our...
- MADE IN THE USA: All our Carlson's Choke...
2) Patternmaster Code Black Choke
The Patternmaster Code Black is a top-of-the-line choke tube that provides unmatched performance in long-range hunting situations. This choke tube uses a specialized constriction design that helps to control the spread of shot at longer distances. This makes it an ideal choice for waterfowl hunters who need to take shots at moving targets from a distance.
The Patternmaster Code Black works extremely well with Custom Shop TSS loads. It’s a solid option for an all-around performing waterfowl choke if you switch ammo types frequently and need something that works for most distances. Internal studs on the walls of the choke help separate the wad from the shot column to limit any interference that could negatively affect pellet distribution. Expect it to perform closer to a full choke. This is the pick for MAX range.
- GOOSE HUNT - Patternmaster's Code Black...
- UNIQUE STYLE - The difference between...
- STUD RING - You will see a pattern...
- CONSTRUCTION - The choke tube from the...
- BRINGS TROPHIES - The shorter shot...
3) Carlson’s TSS Choke Tube
The Carlson’s TSS choke is designed for turkey hunting and is optimized for use with TSS (tungsten super shot) shotshells. It provides a tight pattern and improved range, making it ideal for long-range shots on turkeys. It performs well with both 12 and 20-gauge shotguns and is effective with shot sizes from #7 to #10.
TSS is a dense new tungsten pellet available for waterfowl hunting and it happens to pattern really tightly with Carlson’s TSS chokes. This TSS choke can deliver 90% or more of TSS pellets in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. TSS pellets have a density of 18 g/cc which is almost pure tungsten. For comparison, the density of lead is only 11 g/cc. The Carlson’s TSS choke is .640” diameter which closely matches up with turkey choke sizes.
- 30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No...
- HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURED: Our...
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Carlson's...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: We back all...
- MADE IN THE USA: All our...
Why the Cremator is the best choke for Custom Shop TSS shotshells
- Smooth bored choke works well with TSS Custom Loads
- The long-range Cremator paired with Custom Shop TSS gives max range with TSS
- Open chokes can work better for waterfowl while using TSS ammo
- Cremator choke tubes are capable of 80% or more pellets into a 30-inch circle at 40 yards
- Carlson’s Cremator is affordable compared to other choke tubes
What is Federal Custom Shop TSS?
Federal Custom Shop TSS waterfowl loads were designed for the duck hunter needing just a little bit more range and pattern density. They achieved this by increasing the speed of the shell to 1450 fps in 3 inch 12 ga loads and introducing Tungsten Super Shot (TSS).
Each shell in Federal Custom Shop TSS loads is hand loaded and roll crimped by an expert. This fine attention to detail is something that doesn’t exist in mass produced ammo from assembly lines. Buffer material is placed into the shot cup to reduce voids and friction between the pellets.
The TSS pellets in Custom Shop TSS 12ga loads contain #7 shot. There are 208 TSS #7 pellets in a 1 1/8 oz load. The effective range of this load is 65 yards.
Federal Custom Shop TSS Reviews
Custom Shop TSS ammo has been available for 3 years now and the reviews have been highly positive. It’s proven itself for extending range and delivering dense patterns past 40 yards.
Perfectly round TSS pellets increase pattern density at the long ranges these loads were designed for. Steel shot and other metals just can’t compare to the ballistics that TSS provides for waterfowl hunting.
Types of Federal Custom Shop TSS Shotshells
- 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch, #7 TSS, 1 1/8 oz, 1450 fps
- 20 gauge 3 inch, #7 TSS, 1 1/8 oz, 1350fps
- 410 bore 3 inch, #9 TSS, 11/16 oz, 1250 fps
Federal Custom Shop TSS is packaged 10 rounds per box.
TSS ammo and why it’s so effective
TSS stands for Tungsten Super Shot and is the acronym used in the hunting business today to describe the shot. TSS has a nearly pure tungsten content of 18 g/cc (pure tungsten has a density of 19.25 g/cc). It was first released as a reloading package in 2010, however it has since been phased out. Individuals in the reloading community began obtaining TSS from Chinese vendors and began selling loose shot in bulk quantities.
Because of its devastating ballistic effects, TSS ammo has gained in popularity, and what was once entirely limited to the reloading community has extended to include ammo manufacturers like Federal, Remington, and Browning, who have all come on board to sell factory loaded TSS ammo for turkeys and waterfowl.
Is TSS the best shot for turkeys and waterfowl?
TSS is the best all-around performing type of shot currently available for both waterfowl and turkey hunting. Its downrange energy cannot be matched by steel or other non-toxic pellets.
Below are some comparisons of several shot sizes types, and their ability to achieve 2.50″ of ballistics gel penetration at the listed range.
Steel BBs (72 pellets/oz) @ 1400 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 35 yds
Steel BBB (62 pellets/oz) @ 1400 = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 41 yds
Lead BB (50 pellets/oz) @ 1300 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 83 yds
HW13 BB (47 pellets/oz) @ 1300 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 121 yds
TSS #2 (54 pellets/oz) @1300 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 163 yds
TSS #6 (139 pellets/oz) @ 1300 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 83 yds
TSS #7.5 (219 pellets/oz) @ 1300 fps = 2.50” of ballistics Gel Penetration to 57 yds
As you can see, even though TSS pellets are smaller, the greater density per pellet far outweighs the large, less dense pellets of other materials.
What to expect
When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for the Federal Custom Shop TSS, Carlson’s Cremator stands out from its competitors. The Carlson’s Cremator is engineered with a unique design that provides consistent and even shot patterns, resulting in better accuracy and a higher precision. Unlike its competitors, the Cremator is built with Triple Shot Technology, which ensures that the shot is evenly distributed, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Additionally, the Cremator’s longer parallel section helps to reduce recoil, which in turn leads to more controlled shots and better follow ups. Overall, the Carlson’s Cremator is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.
Bottom Line
Federal Custom Shop TSS shotshells were designed to deliver dense TSS pellets at maximum distances past 40 yards. Each shell is constructed by hand for extra detail to attention.
This design keeps the pellets tighter for longer, increasing downrange performance. The Carlson’s Cremator choke tube in non-ported works well with Custom Shop TSS ammo and provides dense patterns beyond 40 yards.
Custom Shop TSS ammo is capable of hitting speeds of 1450 fps in the 3 inch loads. This mix of dense TSS payload and speed makes it one of the best waterfowl ammo choices available right now.
Latest Posts
- Best Waterfowl Choke Tubes for 2024, Expert Picks
- Choke Tube Diameter and Constriction Table
- 5 Easy Ways to Remove a Stuck Choke Tube
Last update on 2025-09-08 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API