Traditionally, different pellet sizes in lead shot have been favoured for different types of shooting, such as:
Geese – BB/1/3
Grouse – 6/7
Rabbit – 5/6
Teal – 6/7
Pheasant – 5/6/7
Woodcock – 7
Pigeon – 6/7
Recent research, however, may result in recommended shot sizes changing, generally towards larger pellets than were used in the past. Furthermore, each non-lead type has different ballistic characteristics. This means that pellet sizes may need to change for these materials to achieve pattern density and striking energy levels sufficient to ensure consistently clean kills. In particular, where the material is less dense than lead, and so has less kinetic energy, it is necessary to use a larger size shot – for example, if steel then at least two sizes larger (i.e. for lead no.6 use steel no.4 or larger); if bismuth then at least one size larger (no.3 or larger in place of lead no.4).
While the traditional game load has long been 30g or 32g (11/16 oz and 11/8 oz) of no.6 shot nowadays game shooters are using more no.5 or larger shot.
In Bismuth increase the shot size by 1 from the traditional lead sizes quoted above.
The Wild Game Guide The Wild Game Guide provides information on the hygiene regulations for food businesses that supply wild game for human consumption, and for people who hunt wild game and supply it either in-fur or in-feather or as small quantities of wild game meat. The guide is available
Caring for your Ferret Ferrets are probably one of the most misunderstood domestic animals. They have a reputation of being smelly and vicious, often mistaken for rodents, but this couldn’t be further from the truth – ferrets make wonderful working animals and pets. FACT: Male ferrets are called hobs, females
Taking Firearms Abroad The British Association for Shooting and Conservation takes no responsibility for the content of external websites. This page has been constructed to provide avenues to follow; BASC is not able to advise on foreign laws due to the complexity of keeping our library accurately up to date.
