As the UK transitions away from lead shot for game shooting you may be left wondering what lead-free shotgun cartridges are available for you to shoot, here is the roundup of the cartridges that currently fit the bill.
Whether you are shooting a modern over-and-under Beretta, or a vintage side-by-side Purdey, you will find a lead-free shotgun cartridge that suits your gun and type of shooting in this list. It is always best to check that the lead-free cartridges you intend on shooting are safe to be used in your gun – this is a large area of concern when shooting steel cartridges, take a look at the eGunroom guide to shooting steel cartridges HERE to make sure you know what cartridges your gun can safely shoot. Bismuth cartridges can be shot through your gun the same as the lead cartridges you have been traditionally shooting, however they are usually the more expensive option.
This article features lead-free shotgun cartridges from the following companies: Bioammo, Vouzelaud, Eley, Gamebore, Hull Cartridges, Lyalvale, and Empire Cartridges.
BIOAMMO
Blue
The BIOAMMO Blue cartridges combine alloy-based pellets (non-lead, non-steel) with 0% plastic (in either the wad or case) that are great for both the environment and the shooter.
The alloy-based shot has the same lethality and penetration as lead – the standard 67mm and 700mm long cartridges can be used with any choke, whilst the high performance 70mm cartridge is recommended to be used with anything less than half choke.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 25g | 4, 5, 6 | Bipolymer | 67mm | 1377 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 27g | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Bipolymer | 70mm | 1377 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 27g | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Bipolymer | 70mm | 1407 fps | High Performance |
Vouzelaud
Live Quarry and Live Quarry Vintage
The Live Quarry and Live Quarry Vintage cartridges feature an ACP Wad with ANYCHOKE technology. Not only is this wad made from Greenwad and fully biodegradable, but the ANYCHOKE technology also allows the steel shot to pass through any choke without issue.
The Live Quarry Vintage cartridges have been designed for older shotguns with shorter 2.5″ chambers.
| Model | Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| Live Quarry | 12 | 28g | 3 | ACP Cup | 70mm | 1350fps | Standard |
| Live Quarry Vintage | 12 | 24g | 4 | ACP Cup | 67mm | 1350fps | Standard |
Gamebore
Dark Storm Precision Steel
Dark Storm Precision Steel
This cartridge features Gamebore’s water soluble Bio-Wad which has all of the benefits of the exclusive Quad Seal (reduced recoil and increased striking energy) with the addition of a unique cup section that has ribbed petals with 45 degree overlapping edges to give complete barrel protection.
The steel shot conforms to C.I.P regulations to ensure outstanding patterns.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 32g | 4, 5 | Bio-Wad | 70mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 3 | Bio-Wad | 70mm | 1490 fps | High Performance |
| 12 | 35g | 1, 2, 3 | Bio-Wad | 76mm | 1460 fps | High Performance |
Dark Storm Bismuth
This Dark Storm Bismuth cartridge features Gamebore’s exclusive Quad Seal (which provides reduced recoil and increased striking energy) below a fibre wad.
This cartridge delivers a 15% higher performance than its steel counterpart.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 32g | 3, 4 | QS Fibre | 70mm | 1450 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 34g | 3, 4 | QS Fibre | 76mm | 1425 fps | Standard |
Bismuth HD
Gamebore produce Bismuth shot using a unique process that results in superb, uniform, malleable shot which performs like lead and eliminates the issue of shot shattering as seen with Bismuth produced using the traditional method.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 30g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 28g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 70mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
Regal Steel Game
The Regal Steel Game cartridge is a true 2.5″ game load with precision steel shot and Bio-Wad. The Bio-Wad has all of the benefits of the exclusive Quad Seal (reduced recoil and increased striking energy) with the addition of a unique cup section that has ribbed petals with 45 degree overlapping edges to give complete barrel protection.
The steel shot conforms to C.I.P regulations to ensure outstanding patterns.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 30g | 4, 5 | Bio-Wad | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
20G Game & Wetland Steel
The steel shot used in this cartridge conforms to C.I.P regulations to ensure it is reliably consistent in terms of sphericity and size for outstanding patterns.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 20 | 24g | 5 | Plastic | 70mm | 1400 | Standard |
Hull Cartridge
Steel Game Extra HP
The Steel GA,e Extra HP is a high performance steel cartridge suitable for use in guns that have been superior proofed for steel shot and have a 70mm chamber.
The shot is annealed steel that conforms to C.I.P regulations and the specialist plastic wad features a protective shot cup to aid barrel protection.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Proof |
| 12 | 28g | Fe 3, 4, 5, 6 | Plastic | 70mm | 1410 fps | High Performance |
| 12 | 32g | Fe 3 | Plastic | 70mm | 1400 fps | High Performance |
Steel Game HV
This cartridge is suitable for use in standard proofed guns with a 70mm chamber.
The shot is annealed steel that conforms to C.I.P regulations and the specialist plastic wad features a protective shot cup to aid barrel protection.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Proof |
| 12 | 32g | Fe 4, 5 | Plastic | 70mm | 1350 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 24g | Fe 5 | Plastic | 67mm | 1350 fps | Standard |
Eley
VIP Steel Pro Eco
The wad used in the VIP Steel Pro Eco cartridge is 100% water-soluble and compostable. It is made from natural, non-toxic and fully biodegradable materials to ensure no trace is left in the field or marshes. When fully submerged in water it dissolves in 24 hours and when left in the elements it will have fully dissolved in up to 3 months.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 32 | 3, 5 | Pro Eco | 70mm | 1230 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 24 | 4 | Pro Eco | 70mm | 1216 fps | Standard |
VIP Bismuth
The unique formulation of the bismuth alloy used for the shot in this cartridge has many properties similar to lead in terms of density and hardness. The alloy mix also ensures there is a certain malleability, which in turn transfers energy to the target to deliver good knockdown power. Bismuth has no toxic properties and is safe to handle.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 28g | 5 | Fibre | 67mm | 1398 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 30g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 67mm | 1388 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 67mm | 1388 fps | Standard |
| 16 | 26.5g | 5 | Fibre | 67mm | 1292 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 25g | 5 | Fibre | 67mm | 1216 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 28g | 4, 5 | Fibre | 70mm | 1216 fps | Standard |
Grand Prix Traditional Steel Pro Eco
Featuring Eley’s exclusive fully bio-degradable Pro Eco Wad (which is 100% water-soluble and compostable), the Grand Prix Traditional Steel Pro Eco cartridge allows you to shoot a standard steel load in traditional, nitro-proofed guns, meaning that a future remains for old English shotguns (Eley recommends that you shoot this cartridge through nothing tighter than half choke).
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 30 | 4 | Pro Eco | 65mm | 1279 fps | Standard |
Empire Cartridges
Steel Shot
A relatively new name in the market, Empire Cartridges have set out to produce a range of consistent, smooth, high performing cartridges.
The steel shot used in these cartridges has been plated in copper.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 29 | 5 | Plastic | 70mm | 1650fps | High Performance |
Lyalvale Express
Ultimate Supreme Bismuth
The Ultimate Supreme Bismuth cartridge has been designed to give maximum energy transfer to ensure clean kills at range. It is utilises a fibre wad and card obturator and it is perfectly suited to guns with a 2.5″ chamber.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 28g | 5 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 30g | 5 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 4 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 34g | 4 | Fibre | 65mm | 1425 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 25g | 4, 4.5, 5 | Fibre | 65mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
Ultimate Steel Game
The Ultimate Steel Game cartridge comes with either an Earth Wad or Greencore wad.
Lyavale’s Earth Wad is 100% bio-compostable and the Greencore wad is 100% biodegradable compostable.
The steel shot used in both of these cartridges conforms to C.I.P softness requirements which will result in tighter shot patterns over long distance.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 30g | 5 | Earth Wad | 65mm | 1377 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 4 | Greencore | 76mm | 1410 fps | High Performance |
Precision Steel
The Precision Steel cartridge is a high quality game cartridge that offers an excellent alternative to lead. Apart from it’s non-toxic credentials, the custom-made iron alloy shot conforms to the CIP softness requirements but won’t deform like lead thereby resulting in tighter shot patterns over long distances.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 28g | 5 | Plastic | 70mm | 1375 fps | Standard |
| 12 | 32g | 3, 4, 5 | Plastic | 70mm | 1375 fps | Standard |
Supreme Steel
The Supreme Steel cartridge has been designed to maximise the range of Lyalvale’s best hunting cartridge without increasing the recoil.
The plastic wad has thick walls that have been engineered specifically to protect your shotgun’s barrels from steel shot.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 32g | 4 | Plastic | 70mm | 1400 fps | Standard |
| 16 | 26g | 4 | Plastic | 65mm | 1246 fps | Standard |
| 20 | 24g | 4 | Plastic | 67mm | 1375fps | Standard |
High Performance MAX Steel
The High Performance MAX Steel cartridge is Lyavale’s most powerful steel game cartridge. It has been engineered to protect your steel-proofed shotgun: the cartridge is under-filled to ensure the shot has no contact with the gun barrel, and the plastic wad has very thick walls to absorb the impact and protect the barrels of the gun. The steel shot wads are cut at loading to ensure no gaps, while the single base fine flake powder has been specially formulated to burn at low pressures for a consistent shot.
| Gauge | Shot Load | Shot Size | Wad | Case Dimensions | Velocity | Performance |
| 12 | 36g | 1, 3, 4 | Plastic | 76mm | 1400 fps | High Performance |
