Cartridge selection: Choosing the right loads
19-Dec-2025
Mark Eves
When the season starts and the birds begin flying, the right shotgun cartridge can make all the difference between a clean hit and a missed opportunity.
Selecting the right load for pheasant, partridge, or duck isn’t just about personal preference; it’s about matching shot size, load weight, and cartridge type to your quarry, range, and conditions.
In this blog, we’ll break down how to choose the right shotgun cartridge for each species, when to go heavier, and how weather and shooting height affect your choice.
Understanding the basics of cartridge selection
A shotgun cartridge is made up of four key components: case, primer, powder, wad, and shot.
The two most important factors for shooters are:
Shot size (the diameter of each pellet)
Load weight (the total weight of the pellets, usually measured in grams or ounces)
In general:
Smaller shot numbers (e.g., No. 4, 5) = larger pellets, fewer per shell, but greater striking power at long range.
Larger shot numbers (e.g., No. 6, 7) = smaller pellets, more per shell, ideal for close and medium ranges.
The art of cartridge selection is finding the balance between pattern density and pellet energy, ensuring clean, humane kills with minimal recoil and maximum consistency.
Cartridges for pheasant shooting
Pheasants are hardy birds, especially late in the season when feathers thicken and shots are often taken at greater distances.
Typical pheasant loads:
Early season / low birds:
28–30g load
No. 6 or 7 shot
Ideal for driven shoots in mild conditions and shorter ranges.
Late season / high birds:
32–36g load
No. 4 or 5 shot
More striking energy for longer shots and denser plumage.
If you’re shooting high birds, especially in cold or windy conditions, don’t be afraid to step up to 36g No. 4. A heavier load maintains pellet velocity and ensures consistent performance against strong headwinds or higher flight paths.
Recommended brands: Gamebore Dark Storm, Hull High Pheasant Extreme, Eley VIP Game.
Cartridges for partridge shooting
Partridges are smaller and quicker, often presenting fast, low, crossing targets.
For partridge, you’ll want a lighter, faster cartridge that gives a dense pattern without excessive recoil.
Typical partridge loads:
Load weight: 28–30g
Shot size: No. 6 or 7
Speed: 1400–1500 fps (for quick target acquisition)
A No. 6 gives good reach and clean kills, while a No. 7 offers great coverage for close, fast birds.
Avoid overly heavy cartridges; they can blow your pattern and slow your swing.
Recommended brands: Hull Driven Grouse, Gamebore Pure Gold, Eley Zenith Game.
Cartridges for duck shooting
Duck shooting brings another factor into play: non-toxic shot requirements. Under UK law, you must use non-lead cartridges when shooting over wetlands or wildfowling areas.
That means choosing steel, bismuth, or tungsten loads, depending on your gun’s proof rating and budget.
Typical duck loads:
Teal / small ducks (close range):
28–32g Steel No. 5–6
Great for flight ponds or decoying.
Mallard / larger ducks (longer range):
32–36g Steel No. 3–4
Or 30–32g Bismuth No. 5 if your gun isn’t steel-proofed.
For wildfowling on the coast or large open waters, you’ll benefit from heavier loads and larger shot sizes, particularly in strong wind or freezing conditions when birds fly higher and faster.
Recommended brands: Eley Eco Steel, Gamebore Steel Game, BioAmmo Lux Steel, Hull Steel Game.
Weather conditions and load choice
Weather significantly influences cartridge performance, often more than shooters expect.
Cold weather:
Denser air slightly reduces velocity and retained energy.
Recommended adjustment: Use a slightly heavier load or a larger shot size.
Strong wind:
Wind disrupts shot patterns and increases effective bird speed.
Recommended adjustment: Move up one shot size (for example, No. 6 to No. 5).
Warm, still conditions:
Reduced air resistance allows pellets to retain energy more efficiently.
Recommended adjustment: Lighter loads are usually more than adequate and perform very well.
High birds:
Greater shooting distance results in reduced pellet energy on impact.
Recommended adjustment: Increase pellet size (No. 4 or No. 5) and overall load weight.
Key takeaway:
Always select cartridges based on current conditions and quarry, not routine.
A load that performs well in early-season conditions may be ineffective in winter, particularly in high winds and colder temperatures.
Lead vs non-lead options
With the UK shooting industry moving towards lead-free alternatives, many shooters are now switching to steel and bismuth game cartridges.
Modern steel loads perform extremely well, especially high-velocity options paired with fibre wads for environmental compliance.
Make sure your shotgun is proofed for steel before using high-performance steel cartridges. Look for “fleur-de-lys” proof marks on your barrel and action. If not, stick with standard steel or bismuth loads.
Our top tips for cartridge selection:
Match cartridge weight and shot size to the bird and range.
Go heavier for high birds or windy conditions.
Always use non-toxic shot for ducks and wetlands.
Test different brands, every gun patterns differently.
Pattern your gun at 30–40 yards to confirm consistent coverage.
Final thoughts
Selecting the right cartridge is about confidence, consistency, and clean shooting. Whether you’re walking up partridge, taking high pheasants on a driven day, or waiting for duck at dusk, the right load makes a world of difference.
If you’re unsure what to use, the Rightgun team is always happy to help. We stock a wide range of game cartridges from top UK brands, all tested and trusted by experienced shooters.
Browse game cartridges at Rightgun.uk
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