Skip to main content

Ollie Williams

 

Ollie Williams

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk sponsored shooter, Ollie Williams.

 

Ollie has been in the shooting scene for many years now and is well-known within the shooting industry and beyond. Having amassed a vast following on social media, Ollie appears to be the perfect choice of ambassador to represent the brand.

Speaking on the announcement, Ollie commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Eley Hawk as their ambassador. I am passionate about the preservation and conservation of game and game habitat, and Eley’s cartridges are at the forefront of the ‘non-toxic’ advances in technology.” Ollie further commented on using Eley Hawk cartridges: “For both over and under, side by sides and all other shotguns since the inception of the cartridges, they are the perfect choice for anyone who is serious about protecting the environment whilst still ensuring accurate, clean dispatch of game at impact… all while ensuring the gun can withstand it too.”

Carl Weller, Sales Manager at Eley Hawk commented on the announcement: “We are delighted to welcome Ollie Williams to the Eley Hawk team as a Brand Ambassador. As a Professional Hunter and Sportsman, Ollie is extremely knowledgeable about shooting and has been involved in the industry for many years, making him a tremendous addition to our existing group of ambassadors.”

 

Discipline/quarry:

Sportsman and International Professional Hunter.

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

Ever since I can remember picking up a gun! They have been a staple part of my shooting for life, well-balanced, punch-packing. I am honoured to now be working with them as an ambassador.

 

Favourite load(s) and why:

30g 5s, 32g 5s.

5s because they offer more of a punch than a slap of a 6.

30g will kill most stuff that comes over your head, 32g for the real tall kit, in my experience you don’t need anything larger!

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges: 

Shooting is built around tradition, Eley is built around the traditional values of an English cartridge brand, unlike a lot of others, they have kept their products in line with shooting and haven’t tried to fix something that ain’t broke!

They perform just as you would expect, from woodcock on Bodmin Moor, to rock pigeons in Bloemfontein, to guinea fowl in the forests of Mozambique they have worked time and time again for me.

 

Gun(s) Used:

Piotti 12B SBS (Pair).

Holland and Holland SBS (Pair).

Benelli M2 Cerakote 12B.

 

Greatest shooting achievement:

As a sporting shot, not a clay shot… I am always careful about bragging about hunting and shooting as an ‘achievement’, at the end of the day an animal has given its life for our food, sport etc… calling that an achievement is not something I would condone or do.

I once shot 50/100 on a clay ground though!

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

I wish!

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

Being Cornish, I have to stick local… my own shoot Lanhydrock we have built from the ground up and is slowly starting to resemble something more than nothing.

Pentillie, on the border, is also a very smart outfit, along with the house stay, it’s a proper shooting experience.

 

Most valuable tip/advice:

Always treat your quarry with respect, before and after the kill.

Always be prepared to leave a bird, it may be better for someone else, too unsafe or just unsporting.

 

Follow Ollie on: 

Instagram

 

Jean-Paul Gaudin

 

Jean-Paul

 

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk Sponsored Shooter, Jean-Paul Gaudin.

 

Following a horrific motorcycle accident in the late 90’s Jean-Paul now shoots from a wheelchair, and is one of the very few wheelchair shooters out there shooting game on a regular and consistent basis. Having shot game for as long as he can remember in his native France, Jean-Paul’s passion is clear.

He explains “whether grouse, partridge or pheasant I’ve been privileged to shoot at some of the best estates in the country, experiencing different terrains, different birds and more so however all with one thing in common – my cartridges!”

I’ve shot with Eley for as long as I can remember he adds, they give me the confidence to know what I hit is coming down in the best humane manner. Eley as a brand has always been at the forefront and with their vast offering now available for game shooters regardless of whether your shooting quarry at 20 metres or 80 metres there isn’t anything else in my opinion worth considering.

I use the Zenith throughout my season in several variants of weight and shot size depending on where and what I am shooting. In all this time the quality, pattern and overall ability to achieve what I demand from my cartridges never faulters and continually provides me with consistent clean humane and confident kills.

Discipline/quarry: 
Grouse, partridge, pheasant and wild boar
 
How long have you used Eley cartridges?

I’ve used Eley for as long as I can remember, my earliest memory is using the grand prix paper style ones back in France with my Grandfather when I was 12 / 13 years old
 
Favourite load(s): 

For me it would have to be the Zenith range, always consistent with great patterns and humane kills at both normal and extreme ranges
 
What do you love most about Eley cartridges: 

The confidence the product gives me, the speed and the hitting power
 
Gun(s) Used: 

Beretta and EJ Churchill Hercules
 
Greatest shooting achievement:

It would have to be establishing The Seated Gun brand
 
Favourite ground/shoot: 

For clays it has to be EJ Churchill, for game I would have to say I’ve been privileged to shoot too many of the best to pick one!
 
Most valuable tip/advice: 

Buy the best equipment you can afford and that works for you. Watch, listen and learn and above all enjoy every day your shooting like it’s the last one your shooting!
 
Follow The Seated Gun on: 

Instagram

YouTube

Website

 

Ian Mullarkey

ian mullarkey shooting

Five minutes with Eley sponsored shooter Ian Mullarkey

Discipline/quarry:

All clay pigeon disciplines occasional pheasant shoot

 

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

Approximately 5 years Although I did shoot “Vinci” shells before that

 

 

Favourite load(s) and why:

I use a lot of Golds 7.5’s for DTL & sporting very smooth with not much noticeable recoil good for the big days. Titanium strike for the more testing of targets a good shell to have in reserve 

 

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges:

A good English produced product that you can rely on time & time again

 

 

Gun(s) Used:

Krieghoff K80 Custom 32”

 

 

Greatest shooting achievement:

I am lucky to have many great shooting achievements one of my best was to be the Captain of the World DTL Winning team in South Africa in 2010.

Another was to be the First person to win the coveted DTL Krieghoff shoot for the 2nd time in 2014 and then the next year to win it for the 3rd time

 

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

European DTL Championship 2019

Dougal Memorial DTL oldest trophy in clay pigeon shooting (not recognised by Eley)

Many other registered shoots and championships

 

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

I would like to say I have many fond memories of Mid Wales but alas no longer exists

I would now say Bywell as it is kept in pristine condition throughout the year not just for competitions

 

 

Fondest shooting memory:

My fondest shooting memory was when I captained the winning DTL team for the Home international in Wales

 

 

Most valuable tip/advice:

Never give up we all go through ups and downs keep your head down and keep trying

 

 

Social handles:

INSTAGRAM

 

Phillip Morgan

 

phil morgan shooting

Five minutes with Eley sponsored shooter Phillip Morgan

 

Discipline/ Quarry:

DTL + ABT

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?:

Last 12-15 years

 

Favourite load(s) and why?:

Eley Gold 28g Plastic, shot size 7

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges:

Find they pattern well in gun limited recoil so feel fresh for shoot-offs, etc.

 

Gun(s) used:

Beretta DT II

 

Greatest Shooting Achievement:

3 British Open DTL Championships

World DTL 2012

World ABT 2016

 

Competitions won in last five years:

World ABT 2016 Fauxdegla

Runner up @ DTL World Esther Ireland

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

Fauxdegla

South Wales 2000

Bisley

Bywell

 

Fondest shooting memory:

Shooting my first 100x300@ British open DTL

 

Most valuable tip/ advice:

Stay positive. Everyone is beatable and enjoy yourself.

 

David Weston

 

David Western

A brief interview with Eley Hawk ambassador David Weston.

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

I have used Eley cartridges for around 15 years, specifically Superbs. I have found them to be very reliable, with great breaks.

Favourite load(s) and why:

My favourite load for my favourite cartridge (Eley Superbs) is 7.5 28g. I have used this load for the past 10 years and find it perfect for shooting DTL. I get great breaks with 7.5 through my Beretta DT10X.

What do you love most about Eley cartridges:

I love how reliable the cartridges are, I can always depend on Eley cartidges. Superbs consistently deliver fantastic breaks whilst still being very comfortable to shoot.

Gun(s) Used:

Beretta DT10X – 32 inch

Greatest shooting achievement:

My greatest achievement was winning the England High Gun and England High Gun over the 2 days with 200/596.

 

 

Nick Horten

Nick Horten

Five minutes with Eley Hawk sponsored shooter Nick Horten

 

Discipline/quarry:

I'm a lifelong hardcore coastal wildfowler harvesting duck and geese.

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

I`ve used Eley cartridges since I was sixteen and I`m now sixty-six so that's exactly fifty years.

 

Favourite load(s) and why?

My favourite load is the steel Eley Lightning 3" in number 3 shot. It is lethal out to the maximum range I can consistently hit wildfowl.

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges?

Their excellent ballistic performance which, provided I do my part with the gun, results in instantly killed quarry.

 

Gun(s) Used:

I mainly use a 12 bore side by side, 3" chambered, Ugartechea boxlock ejector. A gun from a maker who is no longer trading. I use this inexpensive piece of Spanish gunmaking mainly because I love traditional side by sides but also to illustrate the point that one does not have to spend thousands of pounds on a gun suitable for wildfowling. My second choice of gun is a good semi-automatic, followed closely by the ultra-robust pump action.

 

Greatest shooting achievement:

Mastering the art of punt gunning.

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

Absolutely none. I don`t have a competitive bone in my body!

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

I'm happiest out on the mudflats below the mean high water mark pretty much anywhere around the British coastline. But there is a special place in my heart for a secluded bay on the south coast into which the wigeon pile on a dropping tide. Thick with zostera grass it`s a favourite spot for banshee whistling packs of wigeon fighting against a stiff south-westerly gale. They come in high against the darkening sky, turn into the wind, and cascade down like falling leaves. Slip off the safety catch, here they come!

 

Fondest shooting memory:

I was taught the art of wildfowling by two elderly former professional `fowlers. These old guys - incidentally - both committed users of Eley cartridges, were a direct link with wildfowling’s colourful past and I have fond memories of absorbing the history and shooting lore that they were anxious to pass on to the next generation. Something that I`m very keen to do.

 

Most valuable tip/advice:

Whether you shoot the fastest grouse, the highest pheasants, the trickiest clays or the most elusive of wildfowl, go to a good shooting school as early in your shooting career as you possibly can. It may not be cheap, but the investment in education will repay itself a hundredfold over the years.

 

Steve Clark

Steve Clarke

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk sponsored shooter Steve Clarke.

 

Discipline/quarry:

I’ve been very fortunate to shoot a lot of high pheasants in the West Country, and a lot of pigeons! Clay wise, I love English sporting, FITASC, Compak Sporting etc…

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

About 5 years, ever since I have been an Eley sponsored shooter following the finals of the World Championships. I really liked the product and proceeded from there.

 

Favourite load(s) and why:

For Sporting, without a doubt there are only two options for me, Titanium Strikes and VIP Federation. I love them. I think people go with so many cartridges and options that when they come to shoot they are thinking about the cartridge and not the target. I know they are overkill for the job required, so if I miss I know it is solely my error! Titaniums shoot very tight and come into their own when they need to. And the VIPs are very consistent and give a very good pattern.

For Game, it would have to be Zenith Pro Eco – they are absolutely superb! Plastic will outperform fibre every day of the week and these offer the best of both worlds. Either in 32g 5s or 36g 4s, 60-70 yard birds can be shot convincingly. They are also fantastic for pigeons.

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges:

I have shot many other brands, but I like Eley as a company, particularly in their transparency – they’ve been very clear with the processes behind each cartridge and are constantly innovating. Years ago, I remember my dad using Eley and they were his go-to. cartridges too.

 

Gun(s) Used:

I use Beretta. Currently a DTL 32” custom stock. It’s a nice, heavy gun.

 

Greatest shooting achievement:

I’ve won many titles, however, shooting for England for the first time in the English Sporting Team in Jersey was a particular highlight, mostly because of my dad, as he believed in me and I was proud to prove him right.

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

I recently won AA outright and was 5th overall in the World Sport Trap. I won the Benelli spar auto and High Gunned at the English Compak Open.

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

Shooting ground: Hodnet in the midlands and E.J. Churchill as their facilities are fantastic and any world participants wouldn’t be let down. I also love my local ground, Southdown Gun Club.

Driven Shoot: I would be able to pick one out-right – I have shot at so many fantastic shoots. Brigands can be amazing, as can Chargot and Clovelly.

 

Most valuable tips:

For pigeons – observation… observation… observation! Do your homework, find the flight lines, then set the decoys – the best spot is not always the most obvious. Lastly, make a great a hide.

For clays – it’s paramount that people enjoy themselves. This is and always should be the most important thing. And shoot as much as you can without taking too much time out of family life – the high scores and wins will follow.

For game – always be a gentleman on the peg, and never be a greedy Gun! If you are struggling on them, don’t always increase your lead, start from the beak and then increase the gap until you find your form. Always take note of the wind too and focus on the line of the bird. Last, but by no means least, enjoy yourself.

 

Nick Portlock

 

nick portlock clay shooting

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk sponsored shooter Nick Portlock.

 

Discipline/quarry:

Clay Shooter.

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

20+ years.

 

Favourite load(s) and why:

My Favourite loads are Eley Superb 8’s for the closer targets within 30yrds, Eley VIP Federations 6.5s and Eley Titanium Strikes for the more rangey/tougher target.

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges: 

I love the consistency and reliability of the Eley cartridge & also the patterns they throw, for me my three cartridges of choice cover all eventualities at modern Clay Shooting competitions.

 

Gun(s) Used:

Beretta DT11 sporter
Kreighoff K80 Supersport
Beretta Al391 Auto

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

Longridge SG - 94/100 High Gun
Meadowcroft SG - 97/100 High Gun
Cefn Tilla Clays - 90/100 High Gun

Many County titles in Gloucestershire:
County Sporting Champion.
County Sportrap Champion.
County FITASC champion.
County Skeet Champion.


2020 World Beretta Championships Joint High gun 95/100.
2021 World Benelli Auto Championship- Joint high gun 98/100.
2020 English open Sportrap Class Champion.
2020 British Open Sportrap Class runner up.
Many High Guns in Sporting discipline in last 5 years.
2021  Clayshooting Classic – 150/138 – 4th overall, 3rd AAA.
Benelli Auto Shoot champs AGL – Jnt High Gun with 98/100.
Westfields 120 Auto shoot - High Gun 106/120.
EJ Churchill’s 100 reg – 96/100 jnt 1st AA.
Barbury AA – 94/100.
Longridge Shooting Ground – jnt high gun – 97/100.
Westfields SG – 94/100 1st AA.

 

Favourite ground/shoot(S):

Westfields Shooting Ground
Barbury Shooting School
College Farm
Longridge Shooting Ground

 

Fondest shooting memory:

Being in the super final at the British Open 2016 & shooting against some great competitors. Also, all county title sporting shoots, as Gloucestershire has some great shots in the county and names on the trophy.

 

Most valuable tip/advice:

Enjoy what you do, it’s a great sport.

 

Follow Nick on:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

 

Geoff Garrod

 

geoff garrod pigeon shooting

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk ambassador and pigeon shooting guru, Geoff Garrod. 

 

Geoff has a long-standing affinity with the Eley Hawk brand, which is why he has worked so hard to bring the Pigeon Select cartridge to the market. 

He admits: “There is nothing quite like that evocative smell of a freshly fired Eley cartridge, and I remember picking up those freshly spent cartridges and having a sniff and helping my Dad who taught me some great lessons out in the field. 

“In many ways, I like to think I am carrying on those special moments now with my son, and Eley has always been the perfect choice cartridges for me, and the 30g No. 6 Pigeon Select works just right in my semi-auto.”

 

Jim Doherty

 

jim doherty clay shooting

 

Five minutes with Eley Hawk sponsored shooter Jim Doherty

 

Discipline/quarry:

DTL.

 

How long have you used Eley cartridges?

I have been using Eley Cartridges since 2002.

 

Favourite load(s) and why:

Eley DTL Gold – very smooth to shoot and they produce a great pattern.

 

What do you love most about Eley cartridges: 

The consistency of the loads.

 

Gun(s) Used:

Beretta DT11 Trap

 

Greatest shooting achievement: 

Making Ireland DTL Team and being fortunate enough to win most of the Major DTL Trophies in Ireland and the UK, including the Dougall Memorial three years in a row (2014, 2015, & 2016).

 

Competitions won in the last five years:

European DTL Championship Gold in 2016 & Bronze in 2017.
Irish Open ABT 2016.
Kreighoff Classic Lucky Numbers Joint HG 2018 & 2019.
Irish Open DTL 2018.
Numerous Registered DTL Selection shoots in Ireland.

 

Favourite ground/shoot:

National Shooting Ground, Esker, Ireland.

 

Fondest shooting memory:

Winning the Kreighoff Classic DTL in 2011 at Mid Wales Shooting Ground after a great shoot off with Mr DTL, Paul Chaplow.

 

Most valuable tip/advice: 

Stay focused.

 

Follow Jim on: 

FACEBOOK