Popular cartridges for clay shooters in the UK

Choosing the right cartridge is key to success in clay shooting. Whether you’re shooting sporting clays, trap or skeet, the right load can improve your scores and your shooting experience.

At Rightgun.uk, we’re passionate about helping shooters find the best gear, so here’s our expert guide to the most popular clay shooting cartridges in the UK today.

What makes a good clay shooting cartridge?

Clay shooting cartridges are designed for fast, consistent performance and controlled recoil. When selecting cartridges, clay shooters typically consider:

• Shot size (usually 7½, 8 or 9 for clays)

• Load weight (usually between 24g and 28g)

• Velocity (faster loads give a quicker shot, but can increase recoil)

• Consistency (important for competition shooting)

• Recoil (lower recoil helps maintain accuracy over long sessions)

UK shooters must also use fibre wad cartridges at many grounds to meet environmental regulations.

Top 5 most popular clay shooting cartridges in the UK

1. Hull Sovereign Fibre

• Load: 28g

• Shot size: 7½ or 8

• Wad: Fibre

• Velocity: ~1350 fps

• Why it’s popular:

  • Exceptional consistency and clean patterns.

  • Low recoil but hard-hitting.

  • A trusted choice for top competition shooters across the UK.

2. Eley VIP Steel Pro Eco

• Load: 24g or 28g

• Shot size: 7½

• Wad: Eco-friendly biodegradable wad

• Velocity: ~1400 fps

• Why it’s popular:

  • Superb performance in grounds with non-toxic shot requirements.

  • Smooth recoil and tight patterns.

  • Increasingly favoured as eco-friendly shooting becomes more important.

3. Gamebore White Gold

• Load: 24g or 28g

• Shot size: 7½, 8 or 9

• Wad: Fibre or plastic (check ground rules)

• Velocity: ~1450 fps

• Why it’s popular:

  • High velocity for quicker targets.

  • Known for excellent breaks on harder clays.

  • A favourite among sporting and competition shooters.

4. RC Romagnola

• Load: 24g or 28g

• Shot size: 7½ or 8

• Wad: Fibre

• Velocity: ~1350 fps

• Why it’s popular:

  • Reliable European-made cartridge.

  • Very smooth and easy on the shoulder.

  • Excellent value for money without sacrificing quality.

5. Lyalvale Express Super Comp

• Load: 24g or 28g

• Shot size: 7½ or 8

• Wad: Fibre

• Velocity: ~1400 fps

• Why it’s popular:

  • High-performance load for serious competitors.

  • Available in various speeds and loads to suit every clay discipline.

  • Made in the UK with strict quality control.

Choosing the right cartridge for your shooting style

Discipline (Recommended load & shot size) 

• Sporting clays (28g Fibre & 7½ or 8)        

• Skeet (24g Fibre & 9)

• Trap (28g Fibre & 7½)

• Compak sporting (24g or 28g Fibre & 7½ or 8)

Tip: Always check your shooting ground’s rules on maximum load and wad type before selecting cartridges.

Final thoughts

Finding the perfect clay cartridge can make a real difference in your confidence, comfort and scores. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned competitor, there’s a wide range of high-quality clay shooting cartridges available to suit your needs.

At Rightgun.uk, we stock many of the top brands trusted by the UK’s leading shooters. Browse our range today and take your clay shooting to the next level!

Must read:

• Nocpix thermal optics: Revolutionising night vision for UK shooters

• Understanding firearm license refusals: Real-world examples

• Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III: A timeless choice for UK shooters

• The history of shooting sports in the UK