I'm off Monday mornings so I headed to the range this morning to see what the Win. youth 20ga NWTF gun could do. A Vortex Venom is my optic.

The first thing was to see which choke threw the best pattern. I had the factory full and a HSS Undertaker .582 extended tube. Set the paper up at 20 yards sent some low brass #8's down range. It was actually closer than I thought and would feel confident with either. However, the Undertaker had a more dense pattern with more pellets so it got the nod. Now for the shells.

I backed the target to 40 yards and had 8x8 square targets with the red dot for bull's eye. I counted all pellets in the square. I shot 8 different 3" shells. I was surprised at the results and also the variance. It's pays to pattern your gun. So here we go.

Shell #1: Hevishot #6 70 pellets
Shell #2: Federal TSS #7-9 132 pellets
Shell #3: Hevishot Triple beard #5,6,7 21 pellets
Shell #4: Federal Premium Turkey Load #6 26 pellets
Shell #5: Apex #7.5 51 pellets
Shell #6: LBXR #5 6 pellets (yes six)
Shell #7: Winchester Supreme #5 19 pellets
Shell#8: Hevishot Magblend #5,6,7 20 pellets




So it appears my gun loves the TSS #7-9 the best. So the rest of these shells will be up for sale. Mainly so I can pay for the TSS shells!

And that my friend is why I shoot TSS.

Lot more pellets in T9 load. Don't really need to worry about choke, just POI.

I bet that big 20xl load would be good, straight 9's

I’d chunk all those shells and buy the straight 9s from Apex

Yup, this is the correct answer

Doc, the shells will be the cheapest part of your season. I’ll bet you spend more on gas than those shells during the season.

The 1 5/8 oz load of 9s with your full choke should have twice as many pellets in you 8" target .

Those will probably kill a turkey but are all very weak to be honest with you.

Another vote for straight 9's

Correct. A tank of gas or 5 TSS shells. I’m a believer now for sure. 😂


Thanks for the feedback y’all.

So help me out here. How is 132 pellets in a 8x8 space “very weak?” I was ecstatic at that number. If I go to 9’s, will I be basically shooting a baseball size pattern at 20 yards?

Disclaimer: I guess I’m so used to shooting lead, that putting 50 pellets in that same area at that distance seemed good.

Straight 9s should give you 280-300 hits in a 10” circle at 40 yards.

Doc , here's a pic of my 410 pattern . 178 pellets . BTW, this 410 pattern is a 7.5 / 9.5 duplex.

My 20 had 328 9s in the 10" at 40 yards , too tight , I opened it up, now it has about 275 .

FYI, each of those shells will throw a different pattern in different tubes. Use a different tube and all your shells will pattern different. Can't pick the tube first is what Im saying. My 20 ga currently throws 250 in a 10" cir with #9's and a carlsons .590 (modified) sporting clay tube. Other tubes were more pellets but too tight for me. Didn't want to shoot a golfball at them at 20 yds.

Ok. I see what y’all taking about. Just not used to seeing those kind of numbers.

With season here I may just leave it. I’m setting this up mainly for Mrs. Bamaeyedoc to use. She’s never even shot at one so having one not so tight may be better. She prob won’t shoot at one past 30.

Wife's 870 is throwing 239 in a 10" circle at 40, 218 at 50

I’d try a tighter choke. It’s plenty for killing but that gun will do a whole lot better. I bet a primos tightwad would be perfect and affordable.

I know opinions are like assholes. I’d sell all those shells, clean your barrel spotless, and shoot some TSS 9’s through it. You will be blown away.

Would be interested to know how many pellets there were on a broader target - something out to 20" rather than 8". It might be that you get more pellets from the other loads depending on the POI. The Longboard shells, for instance, would likely be a LOT more if you could see the bigger pattern.

Agree with everyone else. There’s companies that make TSS and then there’s Apex that has it perfected.

I'm shooting the ol Tom apex 8 and 10 blended and they are incredible. Patterned better than the strait 9s