Shot sizes are one of those things that catch almost everyone out at some point. The system runs backwards to what you would expect, and the same number can mean slightly different things depending on where the cartridge was made. So here is a simple, plain English guide to what the numbers mean and how to choose the right size for the job.
The first thing to get your head around is that the higher the number, the smaller the pellet. A number 9 is tiny, and the scale works its way up through the sizes until you reach number 1, which is quite large. Beyond that the sizes are given letters instead, such as BB and BBB, for the biggest shot used on geese and larger quarry.
Once you know that, the rest starts to make sense.
Every choice of shot size is a balance between two things. Smaller pellets mean more of them in the cartridge, so you get a denser, more forgiving pattern that is ideal at close range. Larger pellets are fewer in number but carry more energy, so they hit harder and reach further, at the cost of a more open pattern.
In short, small shot for a dense pattern up close, and large shot for energy and range.
These are general starting points rather than hard rules, and plenty of shooters have their own preferences.
For clay shooting, a number 9 suits close skeet targets, a number 8 covers most sporting clays, and a 7.5 is popular for trap and longer going-away birds.
For driven game, a number 6 is the classic all-round choice for pheasants. A number 5 gives more penetration for high birds or a tough late-season cock bird, while a 7 or 6.5 can work well early in the season when pattern density matters more than power.
For wildfowl, and thinking in the older lead terms as a reference, duck over decoys suited a 5, more distant duck a 4, and geese a 3 or larger.
Here is a catch that trips people up. English and continental sizing do not line up exactly. A continental cartridge tends to run about half a size larger than the British equivalent, so two boxes labelled with the same number can actually hold slightly different pellets. If you like to be precise, it is worth opening a cartridge and measuring the shot when you switch brands.
Steel is lighter than lead, so a steel pellet of the same size carries less energy. To make up for it, the usual guidance is to move up at least two shot sizes when you switch from lead to steel. So a load you thought of as a 5 in lead becomes roughly a 3 in steel.
Bismuth sits closer to lead and normally only needs one size up. Some tungsten-based loads match lead so closely that they use the same sizing.
Standard steel cartridges are fine through most modern nitro-proofed guns. Higher-performance steel needs barrels marked for steel shot with the correct proof mark, and older Damascus or unproofed barrels should only ever see bismuth. Large steel pellets and tight chokes do not mix, so keep to half choke or more open for the bigger sizes. If in any doubt, ask a gunsmith before you shoot it.
Once you know the size you are after, the next question is which cartridge to reach for. Here are some well-made options from two of our most popular makers, Eley Hawk and RC, to suit each job. These are starting points to guide you, and we are always happy to talk it through in the shop.
For clay shooting, the VIP and the Superb are the top choices from the Eley clay range, and both shoot beautifully. If you are a club shooter watching the pennies, the Eley Olympic and the Select are excellent value and do the job nicely. The Gold tends to be more of a favourite with trap shooters. From RC, the RC2, the RC4 Excellence and the HPF are firm favourites with clay shooters, and for club shooters on a budget the Romagnola and the newer RC 12 are good value.
For driven game, Eley’s Grand Prix is a classic, with the Traditional for a softer two-and-a-half-inch load and the High Velocity when you want a little more reach. The VIP Game and VIP Game Elite are lovely cartridges for a smart day out. From RC, the Professional Game is a good traditional load, well suited to English guns with two-and-a-half-inch chambers. The Sipe and the Sipe Extreme are a step up in quality, and the HPF is a fine choice for those challenging high birds.
When it comes to wildfowl and non-toxic shooting, this is where the newer loads come into their own. Eley’s VIP Steel Pro Eco carries a biodegradable wad, and the VIP Bismuth is well worth a look where you need lead-like performance without the lead, for example through an older gun. From RC, the Steel Atomic line covers standard steel needs, with the Steel Magnum for bigger quarry at range.
If you are not sure which to pick, bring your gun details and tell us what you are shooting, and we will point you to the right box.
It is also worth keeping the bigger picture in mind. Under current UK plans, lead shot is due to be phased out for live quarry and recreational shooting from April 2029. That gives game shooters only a couple more seasons on lead, so it is a good time to start getting comfortable with the alternatives and how their sizing differs.
If you remember nothing else, remember this. The higher the number, the smaller the shot. Small shot gives a dense pattern for close work, and large shot gives energy for range and bigger quarry. Get that clear in your mind and choosing a cartridge becomes a great deal easier.
This guide was written for general information. Always follow the guidance for your own gun and cartridges, and speak to a gunsmith or your local gun shop if you are unsure.
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