Lead-free loads for smaller bore shotguns

Ever since the announcement of the proposed phase-out of lead shot for game shooting, a small but significant proportion of the shooting community had one burning question: what lead-free loads will there be for people who use 20 or 16 bore shotgun.

Given the fact that the majority of game shots use a 12 bore, it is understandable that the cartridge companies first focussed on ensuring that they had products for their biggest market. In recent months, however, we have begun to see a variety of steel loads for 20 bores coming online.

Nevertheless, there remain (or remained) gaps in the offering, specifically for users of 16 bores, and for users of older twenty bores that may not be suitable for steel loads, either for reasons of proofing or because they have tight chokes. There may also be those who, for ethical reasons, would prefer not to use steel (we won’t go into the rights and wrongs of this here!)

The closest thing to lead

As is the case for all people in this situation, regardless of bore size, the most probable solution is a bismuth load. Bismuth is a good option, as it can be used in all guns that are proofed for lead, regardless of the chokes.

This is because not only does Bismuth have very similar properties as lead in terms of performance, but it is also much softer than steel shot, so there is no risk of damaging your barrels. It also has the advantage of being ‘tried and tested’, since it has been in use for well over 30 years by wildfowlers and people on driven days with a few duck in the bag or a duck flight at the end of the day, so the efficacy of the pellets is beyond doubt.

Lead and Bismuth are right next to each other in the Periodic Table, and share similar properties

Eley Hawk have released three new fibre wad bismuth loads, one each for 12, 20 and 16-bore guns. The pellets in the Eley VIP Bismuth loads are actually made from an alloy of Bismuth and Tin, which improves the malleability of the shot, resulting in better energy transfer into the bird, resulting in greater knock-down power and cleaner kills. They also use the same single base powder as are used in the company’s Premium loads.

Bismuth load for 12 bore shotgun

The Eley VIP Bismuth 12-bore load is ideal for older guns with 2 ½ inch chambers, being loaded in a 67mm recyclable polyethelyne case. It is available in:

• 28g 5
• 30g 4
• 30g 5,
• 32g 4
• 32g 5.

It is generally recommended that you drop down one shot size from your lead load, to account for the slightly lower density of bismuth.

The 28 and 30g loads have 16mm brass heads, and the 32g loads a 25mm brass, for smooth ejection. With a muzzle velocity of 1388fps, which is faster than the premium Eley Zenith copper-coated lead cartridge, these should give you the confidence to tackle the very highest birds.

Lead-free 16-bore cartridges

Sometimes known as the ‘gentleman’s guage’, 16-bores have a small but dedicated following. They are seen as being the perfect middle ground between a lightweight, fast-handling gun while still packing the punch to take on strong-flying pheasants. However many of the aficionados of this calibre are particularly worried that the move away from steel will see their guns become obsolete. At present the lead-free loads available for these much-loved guns are few and far between, and these are restricted to bismuth loads if you’re not prepared to use plastic wads.

Eley’s VIP Bismuth 16G are loaded with the same alloy as the 12-bore variant, in 67mm cases with 16mm brass and a fibre wad. They are currently available in 26.5g 5.

20-bore bismuth cartridges

Although the number of ecowad steel cartridges for 20 bores is growing, users of older or tightly choked 20s will be glad of the option to use a bismuth load.

The VIP Eley Bismuth 20G cartridges are available in a range of loads. In a 67mm case you can get a 25g 5, while there are 28g 4s or 5s available in 70mm cases.

Of course, whenever we talk about Bismuth the elephant in the room is the price. At nearly three times the cost of steel or premium lead cartridges, and north of £1 per bang, they do represent a costly option. The question you have to ask yourself is this: what price do you put on being able to continue to use your beloved 16-bore, or not having to buy a new steel-proofed gun?

Explore Eley Hawk's range of lead and lead-free loads