Steel cartridges for older guns

So much has happened in 2020 that seems amazing to think that it is less than a year since the joint statement on lead shot by the majority of the shooting organisations. When you consider that the cartridge market has gone from having just one or two steel cartridge options that didn’t employ a plastic wad, to where we are today, with options from several different brands, the progress seems even more remarkable. However, when discussing the move towards non-toxic shot, it is never long before someone raises the question of steel-shot shells for traditional game guns with 2 1/2 inch chambers and not proofed for high-performance steel cartridges.

 

Early non-plastic wad steel shells were suitable only for more modern guns - proofed for high performance steel and with 70mm chambers - but now we are now starting to see options come on to the market that are suitable for older guns.

 

One such cartridge is made by Eley Hawk. They have taken their popular Grand Prix Traditional cartridge, and incorporated the Pro Eco Wad that was first unveiled in the VIP Steel cartridge. That shell, being in a 70mm case, was unusable for many owners of older guns, and the challenge of steel loads for older guns was - and continues to be - a bone of contention among those who disagree with the proposed move away from lead shot for game shooting.

 

The biodegradable shotcup not only protects barrels, but helps to produce a better pattern.
Photo Credit: Jonathan McGee

The Grand Prix Traditional Steel, however, resolves this issue at a stroke. It is a standard steel load, which means that it is safe for use in any Nitro proofed barrel "in good condition" made after 1954 (guns made before this date will need to get the all-clear from the proof house to use any kind of steel load). Look for the NP or BNP proof marks. Furthermore, the shells are suitable for use in guns with the traditional shorter 2 ½” chambers (65mm)

 

When it came to steel shot, another concern from owners of older guns was the potential for the harder steel shot to damage their barrels. However, the risk of this is mitigated against in the Grand Prix Traditional Steel cartridge thanks to the Pro Eco shot cup. Made from a 100% biodegradable material the shot cup keeps the steel shot from marking the barrel walls, while also helping to give a good pattern and punch downrange.

 

At present Grand Prix Traditional Steel are loaded with 30g of no4. steel shot, which is roughly equivalent to a 30g 6 in a lead load - suitable for most game shooting needs. They may not be up to a cloud-scraping Welsh pheasant and the end of January, but then, not many people are using old side-by-sides for that sort of shooting. At present these are only available for 12 bore shotguns, so we still await a solution for smaller gauges. As with all standard steel cartridges, they are only suitable for use in guns with half choke or less - anything more than half will run the risk of causing bulging in the barrels, and you should not use standard steel cartridges.

 

It should be noted that while Eley seem to have been very quick off the mark with this product, it has actually been in development for several years. That being said, the very fact that these cartridges exist should give further confidence to those concerned about the move away from lead that steel solutions can be found for even old English side-by-sides.

 

Eley's Rodrigo Crespo Barreda said:

 

Photo credit: Jonathan McGee

 

As I have mentioned in these pages before, my own 70s-built Spanish side-by-side has the usual choking configuration of ¼ and full, but I am very happy to know that once I have had the relatively inexpensive procedure of having the full choke bored out to half, I shall be able to continue using the gun that I have used for the last 20-odd years and hope to use for the foreseeable future. I certainly won’t be needing to buy a new gun, unless a flurry of high-bird shooting invitations comes my way which is, I’m sorry to say, not likely any time soon! 

 

 

 

 

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