GUN TRADE ASSOCIATION
to antique or older guns. However, I would encourage everyone feeling these concerns to visit a specialist to discuss the variety of options open to them.”
And what’s your experience and thoughts on steel shot?
GTA-07 advert.qxp_Advert May 2022 19/07/2022 22:28 Page 1
“I’ve used it for a long time in wildfowling. I used steel loads recently for six days on pheasants and partridges. These were average to good birds, and I couldn’t tell the difference between using lead and steel on these drives. Steel seems to present a good pattern because there are 25% more pellets. I opened my chokes to ¼ and ¼ and found that effective also. I did decide to limit myself to birds presenting a range of approximately 40 yards. I know people will claim far higher ranges are possible, but most game shots would not be killing pheasants cleanly at 70-80 yards with lead anyway. So, this change in technology may mean we should be more selective until confident at range or product design moves on again. For me being a sporting shot, able to despatch our quarry skilfully and humanely is paramount. I wouldn’t be looking for a golden pellet, like some do with lead. Steel is hard hitting, with medium damage on close birds, but perfectly capable at 25-40 yards. Steel
is the cheapest lead alternative. Heavy recoil and single use plastics have been a downside, but product is changing rapidly to overcome this. I would suggest that Old English shotguns with steel barrels should be choked to under ½ for increased performance. Products to try might be Eley’s 30gm steel shot and Hull’s High Pheasant 32gm 4 shot. Both are exceptionally performing cartridges. Damascus barrels will need to use bismuth.”
What about the future? “Eley have produced the UKs first
environmentally friendly clay cartridge the VIP Steel Pro Eco Wad 12g and Hull Cartridge have Hydrowad, plastic free, nontoxic, and degradable. Unfortunately, there’s nothing for wildfowling regarding biodegradables yet.
I am not a food specialist, nor a chemist, so I don’t enter the argument over the dangers of lead in foods. If it’s a perceived negative from our consumers and businesses in the food chain, then we should be proactive in our response. Shot game as a product must move with the times, otherwise in a blink of an eye, eating game will have become a line in history. I don’t mind progressive standards in shooting and this then driving our manufacturers towards high
environment standards. The transition period allows our industry to take the initiative in an open-minded way. This should be supported so it can succeed. Try the products, do the homework, give the feedback in a constructive manner. People’s motivation to shoot quarry
differs. Some are sportspersons, driven by the application of skill and some are hunters looking to provide a healthy diet for themselves and their family. If a by-product of the sport of shooting is an into the food chain and the retail market, then progression and modernisation is fully justified. If steel means that we can get more food into the food chain with positive feedback from the consumer, then it’s worth embracing. Steve Rinella’s documentary ‘Stars In The Sky’ is worth a watch, it’s thought provoking. Man, prey, food. There needs to be greater care and consideration for the sport – training, awareness, respect.”
Thank-you Mike it has been a
pleasure to speak with someone who’s knowledgeable and experienced with and embracing steel shot, and so the future of UK shooting.
GTA LTD T 07739 117225 E
lin@gtaltd.co.uk W
www.gtaltd.co.uk
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Buttermere and Crummock Water in the Lake District, UK
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