Description
The Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot is a duplex waterfowl load that pairs large BB S3 steel pellets with 1/4 ounce of dense #7.5 Tungsten Super Shot. Loaded in a 3 inch 12 gauge hull with a total payload of 1-5/16 ounces, it is rated at 1,400 fps. Apex recommends the BB and 7.5 combination for geese and cranes. Each box holds 25 rounds.
How the Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot Duplex Works
Tungsten super shot, usually called TSS, is roughly 18 grams per cubic centimeter, far denser than lead and more than twice as dense as steel. That density lets tiny #7.5 TSS pellets carry energy and penetration that normally requires much larger steel shot, while adding a large number of pellets to the pattern.
In this duplex waterfowl load, the BB steel pellets provide mass and knockdown on big-bodied birds, while the TSS fills the pattern with dense, hard-hitting pellets for head and neck strikes. Apex says the goal of the blend is to maximize pattern density and help reduce cripples.
Apex S3 steel is the company premium steel shot. Combining it with a quarter ounce of TSS keeps the cost well below a full TSS load while still gaining much of the pattern benefit.
What to Know Before Hunting With the Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot
BB steel and 7.5 TSS is a pairing aimed at large birds. For ducks, Apex suggests the #2 or #4 steel with 7.5 TSS versions instead, which put more pellets in the pattern for smaller targets.
This is a 3 inch 12 gauge shell and requires a 3 inch or 3-1/2 inch chamber. Choke selection is critical with any TSS load: dense tungsten pellets pattern very tightly, and many shooters use a modified or improved modified choke rather than a full or extra-full tube. Check that your choke is rated for steel and tungsten shot, and avoid older fixed chokes not rated for steel. Pattern the load before the season.
Recoil from a 1-5/16 ounce 3 inch load at 1,400 fps is heavy. A gas semi-auto and a good recoil pad help. Premium goose hunting ammo like this is also expensive, so most hunters save it for the birds and practice with standard steel.
Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot Specifications
- Brand: Apex Ammunition
- Line: Waterfowl TSS/S3 Steel Blend
- Part Number: WS3-BB75
- Gauge: 12 GA
- Shell Length: 3 inch
- Total Payload: 1-5/16 oz
- Shot: BB S3 steel plus 1/4 oz #7.5 Tungsten Super Shot
- Velocity: 1,400 fps (manufacturer rating)
- Recommended Use: geese and cranes
- Rounds per Box: 25
- UPC: 850010408248
Why Goose Hunters Choose the Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot
For hunters chasing Canada geese and cranes, the Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot offers a practical middle ground between an all-steel load and a costly full tungsten shell. The BB steel handles mass and penetration, while the TSS adds lethal pattern density.
There are trade-offs. The cost per round is well above standard steel, and very tight TSS patterns can make close shots harder to connect on. Always confirm that tungsten and steel shot are legal where you hunt, and follow federal and state waterfowl regulations.
Browse the MAG5 Firearms ammunition selection for other Apex blends and waterfowl loads, and see Apex Ammunition for full load details.
Who it is for: goose and crane hunters with a 3 inch or larger 12 gauge who want a dense, hard-hitting duplex load. Store the Apex TSS S3 Steel Blend 12 GA BB Shot in a cool, dry place away from children and follow all federal, state and local laws.
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