10-Jul-2026
Ammunition is the one piece of equipment that every clay shooter buys repeatedly, and yet it receives far less considered attention than guns, chokes, or eye protection. Many shooters find a cartridge that works, stick with it for years, and never question whether something else might suit them better. Others switch brands constantly, chasing marginal gains without understanding why one cartridge performs differently from another. The truth is that cartridge selection matters genuinely, but it matters in specific, predictable ways that you can understand and exploit. This guide covers everything a UK clay shooter needs to know about choosing the best shotgun cartridges for clays, from shot size and load weight through to the practical differences between the major UK brands.
Understanding shot size
Shot size is the starting point for any cartridge selection, and for clay shooting the range that matters is narrow. The vast majority of UK clay shooters use shot between size 7 (2.4mm diameter) and size 9 (2.0mm diameter), with size 7.5 (2.3mm) being the single most popular choice across all disciplines.
The logic is straightforward. Clay targets are relatively fragile and break on impact with even a single pellet, so you do not need the striking energy of large shot, you need enough pellets in the pattern to ensure that at least one of them connects with the target. Smaller shot sizes give you more pellets per ounce of load, which creates a denser pattern and a larger effective killing zone. A 28g load of 7.5 shot contains roughly 340 pellets, while the same weight of 6 shot contains only about 225. That additional pellet count translates directly into a higher probability of hitting the target, particularly at the edges of your pattern where marginal targets live.
Size 7.5 dominates because it represents the best compromise between pellet count and individual pellet energy. At the distances encountered in sporting clays and skeet, 7.5 shot carries enough energy to break a standard clay decisively, while delivering a pellet count that keeps pattern density high. For trap shooting, where targets are engaged at longer distances and are flying away from you rather than crossing, many shooters step up to size 7 to retain more energy downrange. For close-range skeet, some shooters drop to size 8 or even 9 for maximum pattern density, though the difference at skeet distances is often academic.
Load weights: 21g, 24g, and 28g
UK clay shooting has seen a significant shift towards lighter loads over the past decade, driven partly by changes in competition rules and partly by a growing understanding that heavier loads do not always mean better performance.
28g loads remain the standard for many shooters and are the heaviest load permitted in most UK clay competitions under CPSA and FITASC rules. A 28g load provides a generous pellet count, delivers consistent patterns, and produces enough recoil to give clear feedback without being punishing over a full day's shooting. For trap shooting in particular, where distances are longer and the targets are harder, 28g remains the default choice for most UK shooters.
24g loads have become increasingly popular for sporting clays, and many competitive shooters now use them exclusively. The reduced payload means fewer pellets, but at sporting distances (typically 20 to 40 metres) the pattern density of a well-constructed 24g cartridge is more than adequate. The real advantages of lighter loads are reduced recoil and lower cost. Over a day of shooting 100 to 200 targets, the cumulative recoil difference between 28g and 24g is significant, and the reduction in fatigue translates into better shooting in the later stages of a competition.
21g loads are the lightest commonly available option and are mandated in some competition formats. They demand a higher standard of marksmanship because the sparser pattern offers less margin for error, but many top shooters have demonstrated that 21g loads are perfectly effective at competition distances. If you are an experienced shooter looking to reduce recoil further and sharpen your shooting, 21g cartridges are worth experimenting with. For beginners, 24g or 28g is a better starting point.
Velocity: Does speed matter?
Cartridge velocities for clay shooting typically range from around 1,350 feet per second (fps) to 1,500fps, and the question of whether faster is better generates endless debate. The theoretical advantage of higher velocity is reduced lead, a faster pellet reaches the target sooner, so you need less forward allowance. But at 30 metres, the difference in lead between a 1,400fps and a 1,500fps cartridge is approximately two inches, which is well within the width of any competent pattern.
The disadvantages of higher velocity are more tangible. Faster cartridges produce more recoil, tend to open up patterns because the higher pressures disrupt the shot column, and cost more per round. For most UK clay shooters, a velocity in the 1,400fps to 1,450fps range offers the best balance of speed, recoil, pattern quality, and cost. Unless you have a specific reason to use high-velocity ammunition, a standard-velocity cartridge will serve you at least as well.
UK cartridge brands: What to choose
The UK is home to several excellent cartridge manufacturers, and supporting domestic production is both practical and satisfying. Each brand has its own character, and understanding the differences helps you make an informed choice.
Gamebore produces some of the finest competition cartridges available anywhere, and the company's commitment to quality control is exceptional. Their White Gold range is a benchmark for competition-grade ammunition, offering outstanding pattern consistency, clean-burning propellants, and remarkably soft recoil for the payload delivered. The Black Gold line offers similar quality at a more accessible price point. Gamebore cartridges are not the cheapest option, but the consistency is worth the premium for serious competitors. Manufactured in County Durham, Gamebore is a genuinely British success story.
Eley Hawk is the oldest name in British ammunition and offers an enormous range covering every shooting discipline. Their VIP Sporting and Superb ranges are popular choices for clay shooting, offering good quality at competitive prices. Eley's Olympic Blues have been used by international competitors for decades and remain a strong choice for trap shooting. Eley's breadth of range means there is a cartridge for every budget and every application, though the quality consistency across their range is slightly more variable than Gamebore's top-tier offerings.
Hull Cartridge occupies a strong position in the UK market, offering reliable, well-made ammunition at sensible prices. The Sovereign range is a popular choice for club-level competition, and the Pro-One line competes credibly with premium offerings from other manufacturers. Hull cartridges are known for clean burning and consistent velocities, and they represent excellent value for shooters who want quality without paying premium prices. Based in Hull, the company has a loyal following particularly among Northern England shooters.
Lyalvale Express, manufactured in Shropshire, offers a comprehensive range with a reputation for consistency and competitive pricing. The Supreme Game and Competition ranges are widely used at club level, and the English Sporting cartridge was developed specifically for the demands of sporting clays. Lyalvale cartridges tend to be slightly softer-recoiling than equivalents from some competitors, which makes them popular with shooters who prioritise comfort over raw velocity.
RC (formerly Rottweil-RC) produces Italian-made cartridges that have gained significant market share in UK competition circles. Their Foxy Championship and RC4 competition cartridges are used by numerous international-level shooters and offer exceptional pattern quality. RC cartridges tend to be priced competitively against Gamebore and are widely stocked by UK dealers.
Discipline-specific recommendations
Sporting clays
Sporting clays presents the widest variety of targets, crossing, driven, quartering, teal, rabbits, at distances ranging from 15 to 50 metres. This diversity demands a versatile cartridge that patterns well across a range of distances without excessive recoil. A 24g or 28g load of 7.5 shot at standard velocity is the consensus choice for sporting, and it is hard to argue with the consensus. Gamebore White Gold, Eley VIP Sporting, and Hull Pro-One in 24g or 28g loads are all excellent choices that will serve you well on any sporting layout in the country.
Skeet (English and Olympic)
Skeet targets are close, fast, and predictable, and the shooting style is reactive and instinctive. Pattern density is more important than individual pellet energy, so many skeet shooters favour smaller shot sizes (size 8 or 9) in lighter loads (24g or even 21g). The reduced recoil of lighter loads is a particular advantage in skeet, where the rapid target sequences demand consistent gun mounting and minimal flinch. Eley Olympic Blues, Gamebore Black Gold, and RC Foxy Championship all have strong followings in UK skeet circles.
Trap (DTL, ABT, Olympic Trap)
Trap targets are engaged at longer distances than sporting or skeet targets, and they are flying away from you, which means you need to break them at 30 to 45 metres. This demands more pellet energy and a tighter pattern, so trap shooters typically use 28g loads of size 7 or 7.5 shot. Velocity matters slightly more in trap than in other disciplines because the targets are moving away from you, increasing the time-of-flight. A 28g load of 7 shot at 1,425fps to 1,475fps is the standard trap prescription, and Gamebore White Gold, Eley Superb, and RC4 are all popular choices. Many trap shooters also use tighter chokes than sporting or skeet shooters, which amplifies the importance of using a cartridge that patterns well with your specific choke configuration.
Fibre vs Plastic Wads
The choice between fibre and plastic wads has both practical and regulatory dimensions. Fibre wads are biodegradable and required at many UK shooting grounds, particularly those on or near agricultural land or SSSIs. They tend to produce slightly more open patterns because the fibre provides less consistent shot protection during barrel travel, but modern fibre-wad cartridges from premium manufacturers pattern very well and the gap has narrowed considerably.
Plastic wads provide a more consistent seal and better shot protection, translating into tighter, more uniform patterns. However, they litter the shooting ground and are not biodegradable, leading to increasing restrictions. The practical advice is to use fibre-wad cartridges as your default and switch to plastic only when rules permit and competition stakes justify it.
Pattern testing
The only way to know how a cartridge performs in your gun is to test it on a pattern plate. Every barrel is different, and the variables, bore diameter, choke geometry, forcing cone length, barrel length, all interact with the cartridge in ways that are impossible to predict without empirical testing. Set up a large sheet of paper at 30 metres, fire a single shot, and count pellet holes in a 30-inch circle centred on the densest part of the pattern. A good sporting cartridge should put 65% to 75% of its pellets inside that circle with half choke, with reasonably even distribution.
Test at least five rounds of each cartridge to get a meaningful average, using the chokes you actually shoot in competition. Cartridge-to-gun compatibility is real, and finding the right combination is one of the most productive investments of time and ammunition you can make.
Cost per round
For a shooter firing 5,000 to 10,000 cartridges per year, the cost per round has a significant impact on your annual budget. Prices for 12-bore clay cartridges from UK dealers range from approximately 18p per round for budget options to 35p or more for premium competition loads. Across 10,000 rounds, that difference amounts to £1,700.
The most cost-effective approach is to practice with a reliable, mid-priced cartridge and compete with a premium cartridge from the same manufacturer in the same load weight and shot size. Hull Sovereign, Lyalvale Express Competition, and Eley First are all competitively priced domestic options for practice, while the premium ranges from Gamebore and RC justify their cost when competition results are at stake. This gives you consistency where it matters while keeping overall ammunition costs manageable.
Finding what works for you
Cartridge selection is ultimately personal, and the best cartridge for you is the one that patterns well in your gun, recoils at a level you find comfortable, and falls within your budget. Start with a 28g or 24g load of 7.5 shot from a reputable UK manufacturer, test it on a pattern plate, and use it consistently enough to build confidence. Resist the temptation to switch brands every time you have a bad day, consistency in your ammunition is a foundation for consistency in your shooting.
If you are looking for your next gun to pair with your favourite cartridges, browse the latest shotguns for sale on Rightgun.
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