Choosing the Right Shotgun Cartridge for Simulated Game Shooting

Words by Charles Bull of Just Cartridges

Simulated game days are are more popular than ever; a great way to spend a day with your mates in the field and with the prospect of no shortage of ‘birds’ you can expect to fire between 250 and 500 cartridges.

21g: the perfect sim day load

In theory that could have quite an impact on both your shoulder and your pocket – not any more! The lead price more than trebled in a year between 2006 and 2007 and Hull Cartridge were the first to introduce a 21gm load as another great money saving idea.

Other manufacturers swiftly followed suit and it is the cheapest load available with the added advantage of negligible recoil meaning you can fire them all day without concern for ether your shoulder or your pocket.

And for those of you with a competitive streak, do not be fooled in to thinking a lighter load means less power. The 21gm loads will still break those 80 yard clays because the ballistics are similar to all other loads, it just means you have slightly fewer pellets.

Some people still use a 24gm load, but rest assured you will enjoy your day much more with a 21gm cartridge given the number of shots you will be firing. The following picks are all loaded in a 65 or 67mm case, so suitable for older English side by sides (wear a glove or use a hand guard!), all are a similar velocity and with a fibre wad (obs…) and all are a similar price.

5 of the best shotgun cartridges for simulated game shooting

Just Cartridges CSP Lite

Loads: 21g | Shot sizes:  8 | Wads: Fibre | Case length: 65mm

All the attributes of a 21gm load with the added advantage that it is the best value of all at a meagre £274 per 1,000. In a genuine 65mm case and with a muzzle velocity of 1,400fps the CSP Lite also comes in a 20 gauge version at £309, again by far the best value.

Hull Comp X

Loads: 21g, 28g | Shot sizes:  7.5, 9 | Wads: Fibre, plastic | Case length: 65mm

The original 21gm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 1,425fps in a genuine 65mm case, ideal for older English guns. Starting at £288 per 1,000 for the 21gm and they have just introduced a 24gm Comp X at £292 both with the softer recoil we have come to expect from the Comp X range.

Gamebore Evo

Loads: 21g, 24g, 28g | Shot sizes:  7.5, 8, 9 | Wads: Fibre, plastic | Case length: 65mm, 70mm

The Evo range continues to sell well and is ideal for simulated days. Starting at £284 per 1,000 for the 21gm it also comes in a 24gm at £296. Again in a 65mm case and with a muzzle velocity of 1,395fps it ticks all the boxes for comfortable, high volume shooting.

Eley Select

Loads: 21, 24, 28 | Shot sizes:  7.5, 8, 9 | Wads: Fibre, plastic | Case length: 67mm

The massive Select range of course has a 21gm load at £288 per 1,000 in a 67mm case and with a muzzle velocity of 1,330fps this is one comfortable cartridge. With the longest brand history of all the UK manufacturers it is no surprise that the Select also comes in a 24gm load at £292.BUY ELEY SELECT

RC Romagnola

Loads: 21g, 24g, 28g | Shot sizes: 7.5 | Wads: Fibre, plastic | Case length: 67mm, 70mm

The Romagnola range has built up a bit of a following and the 21gm is no exception. In a 67mm case with a muzzle velocity of 1,400fps and priced at a competitive £286 per 1,000 this will do the business on even the highest sim day targets. Also available in a 24gm load at £295.

Fun in the sun

These cartridges are all suitable for 65mm chambers, all similar performance and none of them will break the bank, so what’s not to love? You can shoot all day in the knowledge that you won’t get beaten up because all are very low recoil making them the ideal choice for high volume shooting on a simulated game day. Let’s hope the weather stays nice so that we can all get out there and have some fun.