Rachel Draper looks at the loads that bust the most clays at the AGL ground.
Atkin Grant & Lang is a clay ground, shooting school and gun shop, and we get through roughly 20,000 cartridges a week, with a wide range of different loads coming through the door.
That’s because we have to stock cartridges that are suitable for shooters of all abilities, experiences and ages, from the first time shot to the regular competitor.
Our instructors typically use 21 gram loads for adult lessons, which offer more than enough power to hit the average clay and produce minimal recoil, making them ideal for beginners.
Those coming to the ground to practise for their next registered shoot prefer a 28 gram shell packing more of a punch, and of course we can cater for them too. We’ve even found a happy middle ground, with cartridges that offer the best of both worlds, with the likes of Power Red in 27 grams, and Gamebore Evos at 24 grams.
Here we’ve picked out some of our customers’ favourites to share with you. From our own experience as well as customer feedback, it’s safe to say that all of these are good options.
However, finding the right cartridge is a very personal endeavour, and it is always advisable to try a variety of makes and loads to see which one works best for you and your gun. The prices quoted here are correct at time of going to press, but remember that cartridge prices do fluctuate.
Lyalvale Express Power Red
One of our best sellers, Power Red are consistently accurate and quick cartridges, with less recoil than their powerful relatives, the Power Blue and Power Gold. They are ideal for our ‘pay & play’ shooter, looking to enjoy a round of clays with friends but also keen to keep their scores up. They are reasonably priced too, starting at just £52.50 a slab for AGL members.
Load: 27 gram, 7.5, fibre
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,500 fps
Price: £185 / 1,000 Plastic; £64.00 for 250 (£52.50 for members)
Lyalvale Express Power Blue
An extra gram of lead but packing a whole lot more punch, another popular cartridge in our shop is Power Blue, offering 28 grams of clay breaking power. They are good value as an entry level competition load, and offer consistent shot patterns over long distances.
Load: 28 gram, 7.5, 8 and 9, fibre
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,375 fps
Price: £67.00 for 250 (£52.40 for members)
Lyalvale Express XXI
Our bespoke house cartridges are made by Lyalvale Express and have similar qualities to the Super Lite. They are our instructors’ choice for lessons and ‘have a go’ sessions, as their smoothness and low recoil ensure that every shooter has an enjoyable day, with no sore shoulders.
The fast burning powder makes them not only super light but also super quick. The shorter chamber length is ideal for older English guns which we see a lot of, being a gunmakers with nearly 200 years of heritage.
Load: 21 grams, 8, fibre
Case Length: 65mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,395 fps, also available in 20 bore
Price: £70.00 for 250 in 12 bore (£56.00 for members)
Lyalvale Express Supreme Competition
We host regular CPSA registered shoots and major events throughout the summer, so we sell a range of competition cartridges – and among those Supreme Competition is a best seller. Boasting uniform patterns at long range, these cartridges have a reputation for quality, performance and consistency, and are renowned as Richard Faulds’ personal choice. They are slightly more expensive thatnsome, but arguably worth the money.
Load: 28 grams, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, plastic
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,475 fps
Price: £92.50 for 250 (£84.00 for members)
Gamebore Evo
This is ideal for competition shots who don’t want to break the bank, or club shooters aiming for high performance practice rounds. It’s available in 21, 24 and 28 gram, so there’s something for everyone, whether enjoying a shoot with friends, training at the clay ground or competing. The 24 gram is a popular middle ground.
Load: 24 gram, shot size 7.5, 8, 9, plastic or fibre
Case Length: 65mm fibre, 70mm plastic,
Muzzle Velocity: 1,420 fps
Price: Fibre – £70.00 for 250 (£62.50 for members)
Plastic – £65.00 (£58.50 for members)
Hull Sporting 100
Voted clay cartridge of the year 2019, the Sporting 100 is a tried and tested popular purchase amongst our competition shooters. It is an ideal mid-range cartridge, good value for money with low recoil but enough oomph. Developed with the help of Ed Solomons, this cartridge is smooth in the shoulder yet hard on your target.
Load: 28 gram, 7.5, 8, plastic or fibre
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,400 fps
Price: £70.00 for 250 (£65.00 for members)
Hull Superfast
Fast by name, fast by nature, with a muzzle velocity of 1,500 fps. These cartridges fly off the shelves at our shooting ground. You lose one gram of load for a superb saving on the cost. The 27 grams don’t feel any less powerful, maintaining hard hitting power and packing a slightly stronger recoil than other varieties.
Load: 27 grams, 7.5, fibre or plastic
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,500 fps
Price: £65.00 for 250 (£59.50 for members)
Hull Pro One
Smooth but powerful, these cartridges offer a dense pattern and consistent performance over distance, with restrained recoil. Another popular purchase amongst our customers, they are often seen on the competition circuit as they are quick and reliable with high grade shot and serious stopping power.
Load: 28 gram (also available in 24 gram), 7, 7.5, 8, 9, plastic
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,500 fps
Price: £75.00 for 250 (£71.50 for members)
Eley Superb
The Eley Superb’s clay breaking power over long distances is thanks to the evenly distributed patterns and 5% antimony extra hard shot. The 28 gram load comes in a fibre wad. Eley claim that it is “the best all round cartridge we produce”.
Load: 28 grams (also in 24 gram), 7, 7.5, 8, 9, plastic or fibre
Case Length: 70mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,350 fps
Price: Fibre – £75.00 for 250 (£70.00 for members)
Plastic – £73.50 for 250 (£68.50 for members)
Eley Select
The Select are another of our favourites for practice rounds. Eley give the option of 21, 24 and 28 grams, covering a range of requirements for the everyday shot. These cartridges are good all-rounders that get the job done, consistent and understated.
Load: 28 gram, 7.5, 8, 9, plastic or fibre
Case Length: 67mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1,275 fps
Price: Fibre – £60.00 for 250
Plastic – £58.50 for 250
More on clay cartridges
- 19 Best budget clay loads – read our full selection here
- Best clay shooting shells – our expert selections
- Best selling cartridges
- Mid-range cartridges for club or competition
- Best clay cartridges – the right kind for every discipline
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