THE ALTERNATIVES
It is now illegal to shoot wildfowl with lead shot in the UK (the ban also extends to cover other water birds such as Moorhen & Coot) Certain areas defined by their geography such as SPA's, SSSI's etc as well as the foreshore are included in the ban. Inland areas of Scotland are in some cases exempt from the ban, make sure you check before using lead shot. A maximum fine of £1000 is likely for anyone convicted of breaking this law & or a prison sentence.
The document explaining the ban in Scotland can be seen at http://www.basc.org.uk/media/protecting_waterfowl.pdf or alternatively copies can be obtained by sending a stamped-addressed envelope ( 9”x 6”) to BASC Scotland, Trochry, Dunkeld, Tayside PH8 0DY. Telephone 01350 723226.
It has been proved that some shooters nationwide still insist on using lead shot, please make sure you are not one of them. It is in the best interest of wildfowling and shooting in general that you comply with the law. We risk a complete ban on lead shot for all shooting disciplines not just wildfowling if some shooters blatantly choose to disregard the law. Ask yourself "do we really want a total ban on lead shot?" I for one don't. Think before you use lead shot !!
Alternative loads are available for wildfowling in the form of Bismuth, Tungsten, Tin, Steel and more recently "Hevi-shot" from the USA, these are available from nationwide outlets, each has its advantages & disadvantages. Below is a comparison of available shot with comments from various sources. After several seasons of use in the UK the general opinion of wildfowlers is still divided between Bismuth & Tungsten as the best alternatives though Steel is becoming increasingly more popular as more shooters begin to experiment in an effort to lower their costs.
3" magnum loads from the top Hevishot, Tungsten Matrix and Bismuth
STEEL SHOT : ADVANTAGES : Price & availability. DISADVANTAGES : Large pellets can cause damage to some guns, density requires a move up of 2 sizes to be made resulting in a limited payload, however due to the fact steel is lighter the pellet count is either equivalent or higher, rusting in cartridges (this problem is being tackled with coatings, ricochet, abrasion to barrels. A hard plastic wad is essential.
Please note it is recommended that shooters using steel shot ensure that their guns are suitable for it's use, that the guns choke is a maximum of half and that the cartridges are CIP approved.
TIN SHOT : ADVANTAGES : Availability, malleability, medium priced, no ricochet or rusting, can be loaded with fibre wads. DISADVANTAGES : Density requires a move up of 2 sizes to be made resulting in limited payload.
IMPACT TUNGSTEN MATRIX SHOT : ADVANTAGES : Availability, high density, high performance, can be used in all guns, no ricochet or rusting, biodegradable wads, same shot sizes as lead. DISADVANTAGES : Price approx £25 - £35 per 25 standard 12 bore loads. 3" magnum 50gm loads are available but at a greater price per box. Please note that there are other forms of Tungsten shot which are of a Tungsten Iron mixture that are not suitable for British made guns.
BISMUTH SHOT : ADVANTAGES : Availability, high density, high performance, can be used in all guns, no ricochet or rusting, felt wads, similar shot sizes as lead although it is slightly lighter. DISADVANTAGES : Price approx £20 - £25 per 25 standard 12 bore loads.
: ADVANTAGES : heavier than the other non
toxic shot 12g/cc compared to 11g/cc for lead. Good patterning
and down range velocity. A
new generation of Hevi-shot is to be marketed for the 2006/2007
season. DISADVANTAGES : Prices. Lack of availability, although
it is becoming more widely available as the manufacturers strive
to increase it's popularity and decrease the cost to the shooter. NB
Hevi-shot Is made from tungsten, nickel and iron and can cause
"cosmetic" rub marks to your barrels. Hevi-shot is recommended for use in barrels
which can handle steel shot or which are marked specifically as
suitable for its use.
For further information try the links on the "Cartridges & Reloading" page.
For non toxic wildfowling cartridges locally (Lincolnshire area) the following stock and supply them.
Crawford's Shooting Supplies : Hebden Rd, Scunthorpe.
Euroguns : Between Blaxton and Wroot.
For those visiting the Tay, non-toxic wildfowling cartridges are available from: