Steel Shot for Clay Shooting

Busting the Myths Before 2029 

For more than forty years, Gamebore has been developing steel shot cartridges for shooters around the world. Our research and development team can work to both SAAMI standards for the US and CIP regulations for across Europe, ensuring ammunition options made to performs reliably for specific international markets.

Over that time we’ve gained significant experience in steel shot cartridge design and performance. Steel is not new to Gamebore. We have been supplying steel ammunition to European countries where restrictions on lead have been in place for many years.

While the transition from lead to steel is a learning curve for many shooters today, it is one we navigated years ago. That experience allows us to understand both the technical requirements of steel ammunition and the practical questions shooters naturally have when making the switch.

STEEL SHOT FOR CLAY SHOOTING

With the planned transition away from lead shot approaching in April 2029, many clay shooters are asking what this will mean for their guns, cartridges, and scores.

Let’s tackle some of the most common concerns;

"“My gun has fixed chokes, I won’t be able to use steel shot for clay shooting”

For most clay shooters, this simply isn’t the case. Most shotguns manufactured after 1954 and proofed for standard nitro loads can safely shoot standard steel competition cartridges with a maximum of 28grm of steel shot size 2.5mm which is the largest permitted for use on clays. This includes the vast majority of modern over-and-unders and semi-autos currently used on clay grounds.

Modern, standard performance steel clay cartridges, including Gamebore’s Black Gold HV Steel, White Gold Pro Steel, and Velocity Steel Target are specifically designed to operate safely in typical sporting guns without restrictions.

“Steel shot damages barrels and chokes”

Steel shot has been used for clay shooting successfully across much of Europe for decades, particularly in countries with long-standing lead restrictions, and at specific venues where lead shot is prohibited.
Real-world experience shows that modern steel shot clay loads do not harm barrels or chokes under normal clay shooting conditions.

“Targets will have to be closer or easier”

Another misconception is that steel won’t break targets at normal distances. Venues already operating with steel-only rules present targets at similar distances and difficulty levels as anywhere else, with competitive results proving that our steel shot competition cartridges deliver performance suitable for sporting, skeet, and trap disciplines.
A prime example is Dornsberg Shooting Ground, which has operated steel-only for many years while hosting major competitions attracting international shooters.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT STEEL load

Shot Size

Because steel is less dense than lead, a slightly larger shot size is recommended when using steel; Lead shot size 7.5 is 2.3mm in diameter, whereas steel shot size 7.5 is 2.5mm diameter. This helps to ensure effective target breaking energy at standard distances.

Payloads

It’s a common misconception that 24g of steel contains more pellets than 28g of lead and that shooters should switch to lighter steel loads. This is only the case when comparing like-for-like shot sizes. In fact, the difference in pellet count is actually insignificant when you factor in the necessary increase from shot diameter 2.3mm to 2.5mm.
While steel shot may produce a slightly higher pellet count for the same weight, its lower density means each pellet carries slightly less energy, plus steel shot generally patterns tighter than lead. For that reason, a 28g steel load is the closest equivalent in performance to a traditional 28g lead clay cartridge, particularly when combined with the slightly larger shot size.

This is demonstrated over many years of competition shooting in Europe with steel shot where the use of lead shot is already prohibited, sticking with 28g steel loads will always provide the most familiar and effective performance.

So whilst steel 7.5, 24grm has approximately 355 pellets, and lead 7.5 28grm has an average of around 345, it represents a largely insignificant increase when transitioning to steel, which is why we always recommend sticking with a 28grm payload of steel shot for clay shooting, as the extra pellets help to compensate for the reduced density of the pellet and tighter patterns we see with steel. 

For skeet and trap disciplines, we also have steel shot size 9 (2.25mm) options available in both 24grm and 28grm loads.

Wad Options

Where plastic wads are permitted, switching to steel is straightforward. For grounds that prohibit plastic wads, biodegradable options are already available:

- A 24gram Bio-Wad cartridges in White Gold Pro Steel and Velocity Steel Target ranges.

- A 28gram Bio-Wad steel cartridge is currently in the final field-testing stages and will be available soon.

These wads degrade in the field in around the same amount of time as a standard fibre wad, providing an environmentally responsible solution. Our Bio-Wads are manufactured by us, on site at Gamebore, allowing us to keep costs to a minimum, and our plastic-wad free steel clay loads competitively priced compared with others on the market.

What are Bio-Wads made from? These are a slightly different PVOH material compared with the water-soluble ‘Bio-Wad Rapid’ used in our game loads where quicker biodegradation is required, but they're equally non-toxic, 100% environmentally friendly, and do not contain micro-plastics.

FAQ: STEEL SHOT FOR CLAY SHOOTING

Do I need to change my gun to shoot steel?
Most shotguns manufactured after 1954 with standard nitro proof can safely use steel clay cartridges.

My gun has fixed half and three-quarter chokes. Is that a problem?
Standard steel competition loads with a maximum of 28grm of 2.5mm (size 7.5) steel pellets are compatible with these chokes.

Will steel break targets as well as lead?
Yes. Gamebore steel clay loads are manufactured with specially blended propellants designed specifically for use with steel shot, to produce the same performance levels as traditional lead.

Should I switch from 28g to 24g steel?
No! 28g steel competition loads are specifically designed to maintain the ballistic performance equivalent to that of a 28g lead cartridge.

What if my shooting ground doesn’t allow plastic wads?
Biodegradable Bio-Wad steel cartridges are available now for 24g, with a 28g version coming very soon.


In Summary 

Transitioning from lead to steel shot may feel unfamiliar for many shooters, but with the right information and experience, it can be a smooth and straightforward change. 

At Gamebore, decades of research, development, and real-world experience with steel shot and steel-specific propellants mean we understand both the technical requirements and practical considerations of the switch. From shot size and payload to biodegradable wad options, our steel competition loads have been designed to deliver consistent performance for clay shooters today allowing you to focus on your target, not what’s inside the cartridge.

If in doubt, send an email to info@gamebore.com with details of your shotgun and choke combination and our experts will be happy to advise.

The good news is you have until 1st April 2029 to make the transition so you can continue to enjoy shooting your favourite Gamebore competition lead loads until then!