A sustainable cartridge that combines light recoil with outstanding performance.

Industry leading manufacturers of fine shotgun cartridges for clay and game shooters, Eley Hawk, have extended their flagship range of sustainable ammunition to include a lighter, 24gram VIP Steel load suitable for clay grounds with strict restrictions on the use of lead that are ideal for shooters with sensitivity to recoil and young shots alike.

Eley Hawk Sales Manager, Carl Weller, commented: “Since launching the incredibly popular Steel Pro Eco Wad cartridges in the spring of 2019, we have been developing loads featuring this technology suitable for smaller bores and older guns, such as the Grand Prix Pro Eco Steel and 20 bore VIP Steel. It was a natural progression, therefore, to pioneer a lighter steel load that is perfect for shooting tuition, those of slender builds, and for simulated game days stipulating non-toxic shot and bio-degradable wads, for example.” 

Key in the testing and development phase was champion shot and Chief Instructor at Frobury Shooting Ground, Paul Oldring. “At Frobury the land we shoot over comprises mostly water meadows, meaning that we have been limited to a 28gram steel cartridge which has considerable recoil to a 15-17-year-old taking their first shots. This new VIP 24gram Pro Eco Steel load is noticeably lighter on the shoulder, handling like a 21gram Eley Select, yet still offers outstanding results even on our 125-ft high tower. I’ve been very impressed with their performance and would have no qualms using them for all my clay shooting – including competitions.”

Eley’s 24gram VIP Steel Pro Eco Wad cartridge main features:

•  Premium Standard Performance Steel Shot

High quality No. 7 steel shot which conforms to the restrictions allowing it to be shot through most standard guns without needing to bear the Fleur de Lys stamp. 

• Pro Eco Wad

Eley’s innovative hydro-soluble wad is 100% biodegradable, made from organic materials and breaks down in water within 24 hours.

• Low Recoil

Utilising the VIP’s signature PSB+3 powders, the felt recoil from firing the cartridge is lower than any other 12 gauge steel options on the market.

• Heat-sealed technology

The cartridge has been heat-sealed on the crimp to prevent the ingress of moisture.

Managing Director for Eley Hawk, Rodrigo Crespo concluded: “We are delighted to offer a cartridge that extends sustainable ammunition choices to a wider audience. Our mantra remains as it has been throughout our almost 200-year history, and that is to innovate products which allow our customers to make informed, educated choices on the ammunition they wish to shoot. This environmentally friendly load fits perfectly into that.”

The 24gram VIP Steel Pro Eco Cartridge will be available to Eley stockists and online cartridge retailers from May 2021.