Increased range and penetration are the biggest benefits of tungsten ammo, but some lessor known advantages are just as important.
In the world of shotgun ammunition, innovation has brought forth a game-changing option: Tungsten Shotshells. These advanced cartridges have taken the hunting community by storm, offering a range of benefits that outshine traditional materials like steel, lead, and bismuth.
But it’s not always clear what benefits tungsten shotshells can actually provide, and if it’s worth the cost to use them. In this guide, we’ll discuss the top five reasons why Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) and other tungsten ammo is the go-to choice for those who demand superior performance from their shotshells.
1. Increased Range
Tungsten shotshells redefine the effective range of your shotgun. Due to their higher density, TSS pellets retain energy over longer distances, delivering devastating impact even when the target is farther away. This extended range can be the edge you need when pursuing elusive waterfowl or challenging upland game.
Compared to similar sized steel shot ammo, tungsten shotshells offer an increase of range of over 30 yards. This equates to greater effective range and more opportunities while hunting. Limiting out on ducks and geese is more likely to happen with tungsten shotshells than without.
2. More Penetration
When it comes to penetration, density matters. Tungsten pellets, being denser than traditional materials, punch through feathers, tough hide, and bone with remarkable ease. This means better chances of hitting vital organs and increased lethality, even on tough and large game.
Dense shotgun pellets like tungsten outpenetrate steel due to their superior mass and energy retention. Tungsten’s higher density concentrates its energy over a smaller area, allowing it to maintain momentum and resist deceleration. When hitting a target, tungsten transfers more energy, creating deeper and more lethal wound channels. Steel pellets, with lower density, lose energy faster upon impact, resulting in shallower penetration.
Tungsten shotshells can deliver more than 1-2 inches of penetration compared to similar steel shot loads. This makes complete pass throughs possible on waterfowl out to 50 yards or more, reducing cripples, and putting more birds in the bag.
3. Increased Pellet Density
The high density of Tungsten Super Shot leads to a higher pellet count in every shell. This concentrated payload results in tighter patterns and more uniform distribution, increasing the likelihood of hitting your mark, especially at extended ranges.
Tungsten shotshells allow you to drop several pellet sizes while keeping similar ballistics of other ammo types. TSS #7’s are comparable to Steel #2’s ballistically. And while Steel #2’s have 124 pellets per ounce, TSS #7’s have 185. That’s a 61 pellet increase which results in more opportunity hit birds on the wing.
4. Tighter Patterns
Tungsten shotshells boast incredibly consistent and tight patterns. The uniformity of these patterns significantly improves accuracy, making them an excellent choice for challenging shots, whether it’s a fast-flying teal or a distant passing goose.
Dense shotgun pellets, like tungsten, travel more compactly through the air due to their higher mass and momentum. This is a result of their greater density, which allows them to maintain their kinetic energy and resist air resistance more effectively. When a shotgun is fired, the propellant’s energy accelerates the pellets. Lighter pellets, such as steel, encounter greater air resistance due to their lower mass-to-surface area ratio. As a result, they lose velocity quickly, leading to erratic flight paths and spread.
In contrast, dense pellets like tungsten possess substantial mass in a smaller volume. This density grants them enhanced aerodynamic stability by minimizing the effects of air resistance. Consequently, they retain their velocity and energy over longer distances, delivering tighter patterns and greater downrange impact. Tungsten’s ability to maintain a compact trajectory stems from its intrinsic property of higher density, enabling hunters to achieve accurate and effective shots at extended ranges.
5. Overall Effectiveness
Tungsten shotshells combine the best of both worlds: the knockdown power of larger pellets and the dense pattern of smaller ones. This versatility translates to effectiveness across various shooting scenarios, making TSS ideal for everything from waterfowl to turkey hunting.
The effectiveness of tungsten shotshells also translates to extreme range increases that just aren’t possible with more traditional ammo. This opens up more opportunities to be successful while hunting, rather than being frustrated by pellets bouncing off birds or just ruffling their feathers.
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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 Shotshells Increase Effectiveness
Tungsten shotshells, particularly Tungsten Super Shot, offer unparalleled benefits that make them the ammunition of choice for serious hunters and marksmen. With increased range, penetration, overall effectiveness, pellet density, and pattern tightness, TSS pellets embody the pinnacle of shotgun ammunition technology.
If you’re seeking that decisive edge while hunting waterfowl and turkeys, don’t compromise—load up with Tungsten Super Shot for unmatched performance and consistent success. And always pattern your shotgun to know just how effective your loads will be when the right shot comes along.
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Read More on TSS AMMO
- TSS Pellet Count Chart Per Ounce
- What is Tungsten Super Shot made from?
- TSS Pellet Weight Chart
- Effective Range of TSS Shot for Hunting
- What is Tungsten Super Shot?
- TSS Pellet Size and Diameter Chart
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Last update on 2025-09-06 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API