Three perfect choice loads for the king of gamebirds.

Industry leading manufacturers of fine shotgun cartridges for game and clay shooters, Eley Hawk, has considered their three favourite cartridges for grouse as avid game shooters prepare for the Glorious Twelfth.  

Eley Hawk’s Managing Director, Rodrigo Crespo, commented: “Grouse days are unquestionably special, whether you are heading out on the first day of the season right up to the 10th December, from Sheffield to The Highlands. If you are among the lucky ones to be standing in a butt or walking through the heather on a walked-up day, a premium, trusted cartridge that delivers exceptional patterning time and again is a must-have.” 

With an arsenal of over 40 game cartridges on the market, each offering unique characteristics, the Midlands-based Eley Team has narrowed their selection down to a trio of loads that provide consistency, reliability and performance for over-under and side-by-side users alike. 

Eley’s three favourite loads for grouse:

• Eley Zenith 

This is Eley’s premier game shooting cartridge. Whether loaded with fibre or innovative biodegradable Pro-Eco wad, the copper-coated lead shot offers optimum ballistics and patterning for grouse and other gamebirds. The Zenith will deliver the high point to anyone’s shooting day, and is now available in both 12 and 20 bore with an increased range of shot sizes.

• Eley VIP Game 

The VIP range of game shooting cartridges has an enviable reputation among grouse shots, thanks to a complete spectrum of gauges, loads and shot sizes suitable for the majority of gun configurations. Using only top-quality components and specialist powders ensure comfortable recoil, reliable ballistics and smooth ejection on even the busiest drives; they deliver everything one could possibly want in a game cartridge.

• Eley Grand Prix Traditional

The Grand Prix Traditional range is ideal for old English side-by-side users with its true 2½-inch case length. The addition of the new Grand Prix Traditional Steel Pro Eco Wad offers a lead-free, environmentally friendly alternative for such side-by-side game shots, blending English tradition with cutting-edge technology. As many grouse shots prefer the nimble characteristics of the traditional gun configuration, Eley expect to see high numbers of the highly recognisable orange cases being used on the moors this year. 

All of the above are available now in Eley stockists and from online cartridge retailers.