![]() ![]() ![]() “To achieve this they tried various things, but the one test which proved most efficient whilst remaining affordable was applying a thin coat of copper to the lead shot.”Īs the element is much harder and smoother than lead, a coating of copper around the softer lead shot is said to reduce the friction between the shot and the barrel walls, therefore minimising premature deformation, yet remaining malleable enough at a typical range to transfer sufficient energy into a bird’s tissue and organs to kill it humanely. “Our engineers realised that the key to creating consistent shot patterns at range lies in ensuring that individual pellets can fly as straight as possible,” says David. Their first cartridge to incorporate this technology was the Classic Game paper case – designed for use in traditional side-by-sides – and their latest is the Eley Zenith, a range released in 2015 to suit modern over-unders. I first spoke to David Thompson, marketing manager at Eley Hawk.Įley have worked with copper-coated shot since 1992. To broaden my research, I contacted a number of cartridge manufacturers. Indeed, neither delivered sound proof, so I have delved a little deeper into the ideas and science behind ‘copper shot’. The latter share a good point: “a shot in the right place will bring down any bird, regardless of the cartridge”, whilst the aficionados claim they are the hardest-hitting cartridge they have tried, and their shot to kill ratio has increased noticeably since they starting using them. It will come as no surprise that I found two distinct camps: those who are big fans of ‘copper cartridges’, and those who remain sceptical. I started browsing online forums for people’s views, and opinion seems to be split. So why are copper-coated shot cartridges now in vogue? Are more people falling for clever marketing, or are these cartridges as good as claims suggest? The technology has been around for many years now the first examples of coated shot (with copper, nickel and even gold) date back to the 1950s. But is the latest trend of using copper-coated lead shot here to stay? As with many other pieces of kit and fieldsports paraphernalia, fads and fashions come and go. Whether shooting pigeons, grouse, pheasants or partridges, game Shots often have a preferred cartridge brand and load – some are even die-hard loyalists who will buy them in huge quantities.
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