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Antimony content is not as important a consideration as it is with clay shells.
By Charles Bull
Wednesday, 02 September 2009
Shooting is at its best on September stubbles, trying to pot a partridge or two with an old gun and cartridges to suit. Thankfully where the latter are concerned we’ve got plenty to choose from.
Partridge shooting cartridges: All these game shooting shells have antimony contents of around 3% irrespective of velocity.
This is to ensure the pellets unload maximum energy on striking the to bring about clean kills. Antimony content is not as important a consideration as it is with clay shells.
ELEY'S IMPAX LOAD is my choice from the Eley range and has got to be the 1oz load which has proved itself time and time again over the many years it’s been in production.
This load could've been designed with partridges in mind – the powder’s gentle, progressive burn delivers plenty of performance but the sort of barrel pressures your treasured side-by-side will love.
Impax is available in fibre wad only (plastic hadn’t been invented when these were!) with a choice of shot size 6 or 7. They also have the added advantage of being the best value this month at just £186.
- Wad: Fibre only
- Antimony content: 3%
- Muzzle velocity: 1390fps
- Powder: Maxam
- Case: Plastic or paper
- Case length: 65mm
RC'S PROFESSIONAL GAME is one of my favourites. It’s an Italian cartridge that delivers exceptional quality and performance with a price tag of £195. The 28gm fibre wad only load in shot size 7 is ideal for partridge shooting.
That shot size 7 is Italian-size so what you are really getting is an English 6½ - ideal!
It also comes in a 6 (UK 5½) and with the rapid primer and fast burn, this cartridge will deal with those higher, more testing birds. The Professional Game also comes in a 30gm load for later in the season, so take my advice, give it a try.
- Wad: Fibre only
- Antimony content: 3%
- Muzzle velocity: 1450fps
- Powder: Nobel 206
- Case: Plastic
- Case length: 65mm
HULL CARTRIDGE'S IMPERIAL GAME is an excellent 28gm (1oz) and boasts being totally eco-friendly, with the shot being accompanied by either a photodegradable plastic cup or traditional fibre wad. Imperial Game comes in shot size 5, 6 and 7 to suit any partridge predicament you may find yourself in.
This load starts at about £194 and represents good, high performance value. Interestingly, Hull also produce the same cartridge in a 26gm fibre only, which is ideal for the job. It costs a very reasonable £191 per 1000.
- Wad: Photodegradable plastic wad or fibre
- Antimony content: 3%
- Muzzle velocity: 1450fps
- Powder: Nobel (Exclusive to Hull Cartridge)
- Case: Plastic
- Case length: 65mm
LYALVALE'S SUPREME GAME remains one of the top performers in the game cartridge league and their ideal partridge cartridge comes in 1oz format with shot size 6½.
For those of you who can’t decide it’s also available in 6s or 7s with a choice of plastic or fibre wad. Prices start at around £202 per 1,000.
- Wad: Plastic or fibre
- Antimony content: 3%
- Muzzle velocity: 1425fps
- Powder: Vectan
- Case: Plastic
- Case length: 65mm (as with all the Supreme range)
GAMEBORE'S PURE GOLD F2 loaded with the second-generation B&P powder, is also ideal for partridge. As with the Supreme this one is loaded in a genuine 2½in case for old English game guns and is also available in shot size 6 or 7.
Cost is around £207 per 1,000 and you can take your pick of plastic or fibre wadding. Pure Gold delivers plenty of performance and it’s smooth to boot.
- Wad: Plastic or fibre
- Antimony content: 3% Diamond shot
- Muzzle velocity: 1450fps
- Powder: Baschieri & Pellagri F2
- Case: Plastic or Paper
- Case length: 65mm (as with all the Pure Gold)
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