The Right Cartridge for a 40 Yard Bird?

There are clear winners when it comes to both shot size and load: no. 5 and 32g. Age and favourite shooting region give rise to a certain degree of variation, but on the whole the pattern is remarkably regular.

This 32g no. 5 shot combination was the favourite by a considerable way regardless of where in the country Guns most liked to shoot: in most areas it was favoured by more than 60% of Guns. No. 6 shot and 30g loads came in second in most regions, but those who ranked Wales highest were more partial to larger shot, with no. 4 shot being the second most popular. Fans of Welsh shooting are also more likely to have pattern tested their guns, with more than half having done so. Those most partial to shooting in East Anglia or the South East were the least likely to have visited the pattern plate, with only 43%.

While 32g 5s are also the default cartridge of choice across all age groups, younger Guns are more likely to opt for heavier loads and larger shot sizes, while those at the other end of the age scale showed a slight preference for lighter loads and smaller shot. The youngest group of all (16 and under) are reasonably likely to have pattern tested their guns (55%), but in general there is a steady rise in the proportion of shooters who have pattern tested their guns from 36% of 17-24 year-olds up to 65% of those 76 and over.

But who do the experts agree with? Are the younger Guns in line with the latest thinking from the cartridge manufacturers, or are older Guns showing greater wisdom derived from experience? We asked three top cartridge brands – Gamebore, Hull and Eley – what they thought. While they agreed that the majority had it right, they also gave us an interesting insight into the finer points of ammunition choice.

David Scott from Gamebore agreed with the majority of Guns: “We would recommend Gamebore 32g no. 5 shot fibre wad Black Gold. This load is more than capable of cleanly despatching 40-yard birds and, if the day demands, 50-yard birds and beyond in the right hands and gun. Excellent patterns from our exclusive in-house manufactured Diamond Shot, coupled with the legendary and unmatched knockdown performance of our Black Gold range, this load is more than capable of doing the job in a 70mm chambered gun.

“If you shoot a 65mm chambered side-by-side, for example, there is the New Gamebore Regal 32g 5 fibre, which offers smooth recoil, better performance and devastating patterns on those tall birds. With Gamebore cartridges you can shoot with complete confidence, knowing you have performance in abundance, whatever the calibre.”

David Thompson of Eley Hawk had no hesitation in recommending 32g 5s, with 36g 4s as a second choice in the company’s latest cartridge – Zenith: “Zenith has copper plated shot to deliver outstanding performance that shooters demand. Copper is electroplated to the lead to reduce pellet deformation as the shot goes down the barrel and through the choke of the gun. This ensures that it maintains it pattern during flight with more shot getting down to the target this increases the impact of the shot on your quarry.

“The 12 gauge cartridge is built for the discerning game shooter in 70 mm case length 16mm brass and true English shot sizes of 4, 5 and 6. The variety of 30, 32 and 36 gram fibre wad loads will deliver the high point to your perfect day and keep your shooting right through the game season.

“Newly launched for this season is the Zenith 20 gauge 28 gram 5 and 6 shot in a 16mm brass 70 mm case length perfect for those shooting days where a high performance cartridge is needed and an ideal partner for your lighter game gun.”

Robert Everitt, Hull Cartridge's business development manager, erred on the side of lighter loads and gave us some additional detail as to why. “Firstly, what type of gun are we dealing with? For a side-by-side, I would recommend Imperial Game 26g, 28g or 30g. They have a true 65mm case for ‘Imperially’ chambered guns. They’re very smooth – which is comfortable for the shooter and kind to the gun – and they have superb patterns.

“For an over-and-under, I would recommend our High Pheasant cartridges, or Imperial Game also. High pheasant just has a little more punch and is available in in 30 and 32g.

“The next consideration is shot size. No. 6 shot will consistently kill cleanly at 40 yards, but, for later season birds, and particularly for pheasant, no. 5 shot might be preferable.

“A final thing to think about is choke. This will affect your cartridge choice if you like to get technical. A half choke would be a good choice with an ounce load (28 gram) load of no. 5 or 6 shot, subject to how it patterns. If you have a more openly choked gun, you might use a 30 or 32g load to fill the pattern.

“The number one factor, however, is that you find a cartridge that works well for you and is suitable for your gun. It needs to suit your technique and physique: a slightly built shooter would be better to use a 26 gram 6 rather than a 32 gram 6 if they find the bigger payload cartridge to be uncomfortable. There are plenty of shots up and down the country capable of killing 40 yard birds cleanly with a 28-gauge with 16g 6s!”

The Game Shooting Census is an annual survey produced by GunsOnPegs and Strutt & Parker which provides incredible insight into the shooting industry and helps both shoots and guns with their sport. The 2016 survey was completed by over 4,600 respondents along with the Shoot Owners Survey completed by over 270 shoots.

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