Choosing the Right Shotgun Cartridge for Game Shooting
Cartridge selection is one of the most discussed topics among game shots. The right choice depends on your quarry, the distance you are shooting, and your gun's chamber length and choke. Here is a practical guide.
Understanding Shot Sizes
Shot sizes in the UK are given as numbers — the smaller the number, the larger the pellet:
| Shot size | Pellet diameter | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2.0 mm | Sporting clays, practice |
| 7½ | 2.4 mm | Close-range partridge, snipe |
| 6 | 2.6 mm | Pheasant (close), partridge |
| 5 | 3.0 mm | Pheasant (medium/long), duck |
| 4 | 3.3 mm | High pheasant, duck |
| 3 | 3.6 mm | Geese, hare |
| BB | 4.1 mm | Geese at distance |
Cartridge Choice by Quarry
Pheasant: No. 6 for most driven shooting; No. 5 or 4 for high birds. A 30g or 32g load in a 12-bore is the standard choice.
Partridge: No. 6 or 7 — they come in quickly and at close range on most drives. A lighter 28g load works well.
Woodcock: No. 7 — fast and twisting, but not large. Penetration matters less than pattern density.
Duck (mallard): No. 5 is the workhorse. For inland shooting, steel shot is increasingly required — go one size larger than lead equivalent.
Geese: No. 3 or BB in steel. Lead is banned in many wetland situations.
Lead-Free Shooting
The UK shooting organisations (BASC, CA, GWCT) have agreed a transition to non-toxic shot across all shooting by 2025. Steel, bismuth and tungsten are the main alternatives. Steel requires appropriate chokes (no tighter than half choke) and proof-tested barrels.
Chamber Length
Always match your cartridge to your gun's chamber length (2½", 2¾" or 3"). Using a cartridge longer than the chamber is dangerous.
Photo: 12 Gauge Waterfowl Hunting Shotgun Shells on Lake Lida, Minnesota, Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
