In the dynamic world of ammunition, one shining star has emerged triumphant: tungsten shot. It’s not just a preference; it’s a performance revolution. The remarkable qualities of tungsten surpass those of traditional lead shot in every aspect.
Tungsten is better than lead shot in both pattern density and penetrating power. It is 56 percent more dense than lead shot, which translates to an increase in range, more pellets on target, and exceptional knockdown power. Tungsten triumphs over lead shot in just about every ballistic metric available.
In this guide, we’ll discuss in more detail why tungsten is better than lead shot, the applications it excels at, and where to get TSS pellets for reloading your own shells.
- Why Tungsten is Better Than Lead Shot
- 1. Density Matters
- 2. Enhanced Range
- 3. Penetrating Power
- 4. Consistent Patterns
- 5. Non-Toxic
- Density of Popular Tungsten Loads
- Why Tungsten Shotshells Outperform
- When to Use Tungsten Shotshells
- Why Are Tungsten Shotshells So Expensive?
- Bottom Line: Tungsten is better than Lead shot
Why Tungsten is Better Than Lead Shot
These are the 5 reasons why tungsten is better then lead shot and what you can expect from tungsten shotshells. The density of tungsten pellets ranges from 12 g/cc to 18 g/cc, while the density of lead is 11 g/cc.
1. Density Matters
Tungsten boasts a density that leaves lead in the dust, translating to potent kinetic energy. With tungsten, pellets pack more punch, ensuring cleaner, ethical kills. Tungsten’s density advantage allows for increased pellet count, denser patterns, and remarkable downrange energy retention.
The density of Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is 18 g/cc and 56 percent more dense than lead shot (11 g/cc). This density disparity is what allows tungsten to outperform lead shot in every ballistic metric that’s available. If you value knockdown power while hunting, tungsten is clearly better than lead shot.
2. Enhanced Range
Unlike lead’s rapid loss of energy over distance, tungsten’s density ensures a longer effective range. Tungsten loads like Hevi-Shot (12 g/cc) maintain remarkable velocity and energy, making those distant shots not just a possibility, but a successful reality.
TSS #6 pellets retain 1.5 inches of penetration up to 100 yards. Lead #6’s max out at less than 50 yards for the same coefficient. This means tungsten pellets are better than lead shot at long distances at almost twice the rate.
3. Penetrating Power
Tungsten’s unyielding nature means deeper penetration. When heavy vegetation or tough game stands in the way, tungsten pellets power through, ensuring a clean and humane takedown.
This is no more evident than with TSS Buckshot loads in BB shot or larger for deer hunting. This pellet size retains enough penetration to cleanly harvest a deer at up to 300 yards. While keeping a pattern together at these extreme ranges is not likely, lead buckshot loses its effectiveness at less than 100 yards. Tungsten is clearly better than lead shot when penetration matters.
4. Consistent Patterns
The superiority of dense materials like tungsten in shotshell patterning stems from their inherent ability to maintain cohesion during flight. Unlike lighter alternatives such as lead shot, which tend to disperse more rapidly, tungsten’s remarkable density ensures that its pellets remain compact as they travel through the air.
This cohesiveness prevents premature pellet separation, resulting in a tighter and more focused spread upon impact. The increased momentum and reduced air resistance of dense tungsten pellets further contribute to a consistent and predictable pattern. The remarkable integrity of tungsten throughout its trajectory underscores its capacity to deliver unparalleled accuracy and effectiveness that makes it better than lead shot by a wide margin.
5. Non-Toxic
Unlike lead, tungsten is environmentally safe to use for waterfowl and other game animals. Lead’s toxic legacy poses risks to both wildlife and habitat, while tungsten ensures sustainable hunting practices for generations to come.
Lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting due to mounting evidence of its detrimental impact on the environment and wildlife. The ban began in the 1990s as studies highlighted the toxic effects of lead ingestion on waterfowl, leading to population declines. The switch to non-toxic alternatives like steel shot aimed to safeguard waterfowl populations, their habitats, and humans consuming hunted game. While the transition initially posed challenges due to steel’s different ballistics, advancements in alternative materials like tungsten, including Tungsten Super Shot (TSS), have offered not only safe alternatives but also superior performance over lead shot.
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Density of Popular Tungsten Loads
- Hevi-shot – 12 g/cc
- Heavyweight – 15 g/cc
- Tungsten Super Shot – 18 g/cc
Why Tungsten Shotshells Outperform
Tungsten’s exceptional density and hardness make it stand out compared to other shotshells made of steel, lead, and bismuth. Tungsten pellets retain energy and maintain velocity, ensuring deeper penetration and higher knock down power. The combination of these factors ensures that TSS pellets consistently outperform other materials for waterfowl and turkey hunting.
More Reasons to Use Tungsten Shotshells
- Less wind drift
- Consistent ballistics
- Increases harvest rates
- Compatible with many choke sizes
- Requires less follow up shots
When to Use Tungsten Shotshells
Reserve TSS for situations demanding top-tier performance. These include long-range shots, hunting tough game like geese or wild turkey, and when consistency across patterns is crucial.
Tungsten based loads also are better to use during windy days where lighter pellets could be blown off course due to wind drift. Tungsten pellets are less affected by stiff cross winds.
Additionally, tungsten shotshells can reduce the overall ammo consumption considerably. In hunting situations where you might expend 3 steel shotshells for sufficient results, one tungsten shell could have delivered it with one shot, negating the cost difference.
Why Are Tungsten Shotshells So Expensive?
The exceptional properties and scarcity of tungsten come at a cost. Sourcing and processing tungsten is complex, driving up the manufacturing expenses. However, the results in terms of performance and effectiveness justify the investment for dedicated hunters and shooters.
Tungsten ammo from manufacturers will always be more expensive than reloading your own shotshells, unless you can find it on sale. Start here if you need to buy TSS pellets for reloading.
Bottom Line: Tungsten is better than Lead shot
Tungsten is the ultimate choice over lead shot for hunters that require the best ballistics and performance that a shotgun shell can provide. The numbers speak volumes: tungsten’s density is approximately 18 g/cm³, dwarfing lead’s 11 g/cm³. This translates to smaller, denser tungsten pellets, contributing to tighter patterns and greater stopping power. And it’s no more evident than with Tungsten Super Shot, which boasts a 56 percent increase of density over lead, which elevates performance to unprecedented heights.
The era of lead dominance is eclipsed by the superior ballistics of tungsten shot. Its density, range, and penetration capabilities, coupled with it being non-toxic, make it a clear victor. Tungsten loads like Hevi-Shot and Tungsten Super Shot herald a new dawn for hunters. It’s crystal clear, when comparing tungsten to lead, the bottom line resonates—tungsten is unequivocally better.
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Last update on 2025-09-05 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API