21-Oct-2026
Every clay shooter eventually asks the same question at the cartridge shelf: does the brand actually matter? Walk into any UK shooting ground, and you will see a mix of Cheddite, Bornaghi, Gamebore, Eley and plenty more being fired through the same over-and-unders, and each has its fans. The honest answer is that brand matters less than most people think, but load, shot size, wad type, and how well a cartridge suits your gun and your discipline matter a great deal.
This guide compares four of the best-known names that UK clay shooters buy, explains the choices that really move the needle, and shows how to think about cartridges alongside the shotgun you shoot them from. It is a buyer’s guide, not a ballistics lecture, so we keep the technical detail general and point you to the maker’s data for specifics.
What actually matters when choosing clay cartridges?
Before comparing brands, get the fundamentals clear. Clay cartridges come in a range of shot weights, usually described in grams, and lighter loads are commonly chosen for their lower recoil over a long round of targets, while heavier loads are used by some shooters who like the extra pellets in the pattern. Shot size is the next decision: smaller shot gives you more pellets in the pattern, larger shot carries its energy a little further. Disciplines such as trap, skeet and sporting clays each have their own conventions, so check what experienced shooters at your ground recommend.
Then there is the wad. Fibre-wad cartridges are favoured, and often required, at many grounds because plastic wads can be a nuisance on the shooting field. Always check your ground’s rules before you buy a box. Finally, remember that cartridge length and chamber length need to match your shotgun, and proof marks tell you what your gun is designed to handle. If you are not certain, check the barrel markings and consult the maker or a gunsmith.
Our full best shotgun cartridges for clay shooting in the UK roundup goes deeper into loads; this article focuses on how the brands compare.
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Cheddite: The value-minded favourite
Cheddite is one of the most recognisable names on the UK clay scene, and “Cheddite cartridges” is a regular search for good reason. Many shooters see it as the dependable, sensible-money choice for practice and club shooting: a long-established European maker with a range that covers general-purpose loads through to those aimed at specific clay disciplines.
The case for Cheddite is simple. You can shoot a lot of targets without worrying about the cost per round, the choice of loads is wide, and the cartridges are easy to find at many UK shops and grounds. The case against is the same as for any budget-leaning brand: some competitive shooters prefer to settle on a premium load that they know patterns exactly as they want in their own gun. If you are learning, practising or shooting for enjoyment, Cheddite is a very sensible place to start. Our dedicated Cheddite cartridges UK guide covers the range in more detail.
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Bornaghi: The Italian competition name
Bornaghi is another Italian name with a strong following among clay shooters, and queries for it are climbing among UK buyers. It is often associated with the clay shooting world rather than general game shooting, and you will find loads aimed at trap, skeet and sporting disciplines.
For many shooters the attraction is the sense that the cartridge was built with clays in mind. Whether that translates into better scores depends on you and your gun, which is why the sensible approach is to buy a few different boxes and see how each performs, rather than relying on reputation. Because supply varies by region and ground, availability can be less consistent than for the biggest names, so it is worth checking before you plan a day around a particular load.
If you are building up your kit and want the right shotgun to match, remember that a well-fitting gun does more for your scores than any cartridge. Our shotgun fit guide explains why.
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Gamebore and Eley: The British heavyweights
Gamebore and Eley are two of the best-known British names, and they bring a different appeal: heritage, wide availability and a long track record on UK shooting grounds. Both make a broad range that covers game shooting as well as clays, so you will often find them stocked wherever shooters gather.
Eley is closely associated with competitive and quality-conscious shooting, and its clay loads are a familiar sight at many UK grounds and clubs. Gamebore likewise has a long-standing reputation across both game and clay disciplines. For a buyer, the practical advantage of the British names is availability and consistency of supply: you can usually find a box when you need one, and the loads are well understood by the people who run the grounds.
As with any brand, price and performance depend on the specific load, so compare like for like. A budget practice load from one maker is not the same product as a premium competition load from another.
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How to choose between them
Rather than picking a favourite on reputation, run a simple test. Choose two or three brands in the same shot size and a similar weight, buy a box of each, and shoot them in the same session on the same stand. Pay attention to felt recoil, how the targets break, and whether you enjoy shooting the load. Many shooters find the difference between brands is smaller than the difference between a good day and a bad day.
Match the cartridge to the discipline as well. If you shoot sporting clays one weekend and trap the next, you may end up carrying two loads. If your ground insists on fibre wads, narrow the field before you start. Keep costs in mind too: a shooter who fires hundreds of rounds a month will feel the price per box far more than someone who shoots occasionally. And if you are thinking about upgrading your gun, the trap vs skeet vs sporting clays guide is a good way to work out which discipline suits you before you spend.
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Clay cartridge FAQ
What cartridges are best for clay shooting? There is no single best. Look for loads designed for your discipline, confirm they suit your ground’s rules on wads, and test a few brands in your own gun.
Are Cheddite cartridges any good? They are widely used by UK clay shooters, particularly for practice and club shooting, and offer a broad range at sensible prices.
What is the difference between clay and game cartridges? Clay loads are generally designed around breaking targets, often with lighter loads and smaller shot, while game loads are built for hunting. Check the label and the maker’s guidance.
Can I shoot any cartridge in any shotgun? No. Cartridge length and gauge must match your chamber and proof markings, so always check your gun before you buy.
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Whether you are choosing your first box or your thousandth, the right cartridge starts with the right gun. Browse shotguns and ammunition on Rightgun.uk, compare listings from sellers across the UK, and if you have kit to sell, list it where clay shooters are already looking.
Further reading: Best shotgun cartridges for clay shooting, Cheddite cartridges UK guide, Trap vs skeet vs sporting clays and Shotgun fit explained.
