Shotgun Cartridges Ireland Ranked 2026 Guide
This 2026 ranking of shotgun cartridges Ireland shooters actually buy sorts loads by shot weight, wad type and field role so you match the box to driven game, pigeon, clays or steel-only ground before you order.
- Best overall 2026: Eley Super Game 32g for mixed Irish game days.
- Best pigeon load: Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6 for decoying and flight lines.
- Best clay/trap: Eley Olympic Trap 28g; best steel: Eley VIP Lightning Steel.
- Match shot load to range — 28g clays, 30–32g pigeon/game, 34–36g high driven birds.
- Shop shotgun cartridges Ireland stock at Wildhunter Gunroom by load and wad type.
Why this matters
Irish shoots mix short pigeon work, high pheasant, foreshore wildfowl and club clays. The wrong shot load wastes pattern density or kicks harder than the bird needs. Lead rules on wetlands and some estates force steel, so wad and shot material matter as much as gram weight in 2026.
If you still need the basics on pellet size versus payload, read the how to choose shotgun cartridge size and shot load guide first, then use this ranking to pick a line.
Best overall: Eley Super Game 32 grams. Best for pigeon: Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6. Best for trap and clays: Eley Olympic Trap 28 grams. Best steel option: Eley VIP Lightning Steel.
What makes the best shotgun cartridge
- Shot load (grams) — payload must match range and quarry; under-loaded shells open early, over-loaded ones punish the shoulder on volume days.
- Shot size — size 6–7½ for pigeon and clays; larger shot for high pheasant and duck where energy must hold at distance.
- Wad type — fibre for many clay grounds and estates that ban plastic; plastic wads for tighter long-range game patterns.
- Lead vs steel — wetlands and some Irish venues require non-toxic shot; steel needs open chokes and steel-proofed barrels.
- Case and primer consistency — reliable ignition and clean ejection matter more on a 200-bird day than brand lore.
- Role fit — a trap load is not a driven-pheasant load; rank by use case, not by logo.
Shotgun cartridges at a glance
| Cartridge | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eley Super Game 32g | General game days | Balanced 32g English game load | Not a steel option |
| Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6 | Pigeon decoying | 30g size-6 pattern for flight lines | Light for high pheasant |
| Eley Olympic Trap 28g | Trap and clay practice | 28g competition-style trap load | Underpowered for driven game |
| B&P F2 Classic 34g | High driven pheasant | 34g Italian game payload | Heavier recoil on long days |
| Eley VIP Lightning Steel | Steel-only / wildfowl | Non-toxic steel construction | Needs steel-safe choke and proof |
| Saga Export 32g fibre | Fibre-wad clay grounds | 32g fibre wad, ground-friendly | Fibre patterns differ from plastic |
1. Eley Super Game 32 grams: best shotgun cartridge for general game
Eley Super Game 32 grams is the default 12-bore game load most Irish rough and driven days need. A 32g payload sits between light pigeon shells and heavy high-bird loads, so one case covers mixed quarry without swapping mid-drive.
Eley Super Game pros:
- 32g load suits pheasant, partridge and mixed rough shooting
- Eley case and powder consistency for volume days
- Easy to pattern with common improved-cylinder and half chokes
- Widely understood load among Irish keepers and guns
Eley Super Game cons:
- Lead construction — not legal on all wetlands
- Not specialised for Olympic trap or pure pigeon decoying
- Heavier than a 28g clay load if you only shoot clays
Best for: mixed game days when you want one reliable 32g box.
Verdict: Buy as your core 2026 game cartridge at Wildhunter Gunroom.
2. Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6: best for pigeon shooting
Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6 is built for decoying and flight-line work where birds are closer and you fire high volumes. The 30g size-6 combination keeps recoil manageable across a full bag while holding a dense enough pattern for fast pigeons.
Eley Pigeon Select pros:
- 30g payload cuts fatigue on big pigeon days
- Size 6 shot matches typical Irish pigeon ranges
- Eley branding familiar to syndicate and farm shooters
- Clear role — you know when to open this box
Eley Pigeon Select cons:
- Light for tall driven pheasant or goose
- Lead — check ground rules before wetland edges
- Not a fibre-wad clay-ground specialist
Best for: decoyed pigeon and flight lines in 2026.
Verdict: Buy if pigeon is your main quarry; hold if you only shoot high driven birds.
3. Eley Olympic Trap 28 grams: best for trap and clay practice
Eley Olympic Trap 28 grams is a lighter competition-style load for trap, skeet practice and sporting layouts that favour 28g. Lower payload means less fatigue across registered rounds and club evenings.
Eley Olympic Trap pros:
- 28g load is standard on many trap layouts
- Softer recoil for long practice blocks
- Eley trap pedigree for consistent breaks
- Sensible training load before heavier game shells
Eley Olympic Trap cons:
- Wrong tool for driven pheasant or goose
- Plastic wad may be barred on some fibre-only grounds
- Pattern energy drops off for long crossers in the field
Best for: trap, skeet practice and clay volume in 2026.
Verdict: Buy for clays; Skip as a sole game cartridge.
4. B&P F2 Classic 34g: best for driven pheasant
B&P F2 Classic 34g steps payload up for taller birds and longer second-barrel shots on driven days. The extra mass helps hold energy when pheasants are well out, provided your gun and shoulder can take the thrashing.
B&P F2 Classic pros:
- 34g load for high, fast driven birds
- Baschieri & Pellagri game-line reputation
- Strong option when 32g patterns look thin at range
- Clear step up from standard English 32g game loads
B&P F2 Classic cons:
- More recoil than 28–32g shells on a 200-bird day
- Overkill for close pigeon or skeet
- Lead — confirm estate and wetland rules
Best for: high driven pheasant and longer second shots.
Verdict: Buy for tall pheasant days; Hold if you only shoot close rough ground.
5. Eley VIP Lightning Steel: best steel shotgun cartridge for wildfowling
Eley VIP Lightning Steel covers steel-only venues, foreshore wildfowl and any Irish ground enforcing non-toxic shot in 2026. Steel behaves differently from lead — open your chokes and confirm the gun is steel-proofed before you fire a box.
Eley VIP Lightning Steel pros:
- Non-toxic steel for regulated wetlands and estates
- Eley VIP line aimed at serious field use
- Lets you keep shooting where lead is banned
- Pairs with steel-focused wildfowl setups
Eley VIP Lightning Steel cons:
- Requires steel-safe chokes and proof marks
- Patterns and felt recoil differ from lead equivalents
- Not a drop-in swap for tight full-choke lead setups
Best for: wildfowling and lead-ban compliance in 2026.
Verdict: Buy if you shoot wetlands or steel-only estates; otherwise keep lead game loads for inland driven days.
6. Saga Export 32g fibre: best fibre-wad cartridge for clay grounds
Saga Export 12 gauge 32 gram fibre is the practical pick when the ground bans plastic wads. A 32g fibre load keeps you legal on fibre-only layouts while still giving a usable game-adjacent payload for mixed practice.
Saga Export fibre pros:
- Fibre wad meets many Irish clay-ground rules
- 32g load bridges clays and light field practice
- Straightforward export-style game/clay crossover shell
- Avoids plastic-wad bans without dropping to ultra-light loads
Saga Export fibre cons:
- Fibre patterns can open differently than premium plastic wads
- Not a dedicated Olympic trap competition shell
- Lead shot — still barred where non-toxic is mandatory
Best for: fibre-only clay grounds and shooters who want one fibre 32g case.
Verdict: Buy for fibre-wad venues; pair with steel (above) when the ban is on shot material, not wad type.
Other loads worth knowing
- Eley Alphamax 36 grams and Eley Grand Prix Maximum 34 grams — heavier Eley game options when 32g is not enough on extreme driven birds.
- Winchester 12g English Game 32 gram — traditional English-style 32g game alternative beside Eley Super Game.
- B&P MB Classic 32g No6 and B&P Valle Steel Magnum 33g — B&P routes for standard game and steel magnum work.
- Nobel Classica 32g and Nobe Super Caccia 38g — Italian 32g classica and a heavy 38g caccia load for specialised long-range game.
- Saga Top Export 36 — heavier Saga export-style payload when you want more mass than the 32g fibre box.
Wildhunter Gunroom lists these lines so you can match brand and gram weight without guessing from empty boxes in the cabinet.
How we ranked
Ranking followed the six criteria above: shot load, shot size role, wad rules, lead/steel legality, case consistency and clear use-case fit. Competition trap loads do not beat game loads at driven birds, and steel does not “win” inland where lead is legal and preferred. Each slot above owns one job so the list works as a decision tree for shotgun cartridges Ireland buyers in 2026.
Which shotgun cartridge should you choose?
- One case for mixed Irish game: Eley Super Game 32g.
- Pigeon main focus: Eley Pigeon Select 30g size 6.
- Clays and trap practice: Eley Olympic Trap 28g; fibre grounds → Saga Export 32g fibre.
- High driven pheasant: B&P F2 Classic 34g (or Eley 34–36g game lines).
- Wetlands / steel-only: Eley VIP Lightning Steel, gun and chokes checked first.
Default if you are undecided in 2026: start with Eley Super Game 32 grams, add a pigeon or steel box only when your ground and quarry demand it.
FAQ
What are the best shotgun cartridges Ireland shooters should buy in 2026?
Eley Super Game 32g is the best overall game pick for mixed Irish days. Use Eley Pigeon Select 30g for pigeon, Eley Olympic Trap 28g for trap and clays, and Eley VIP Lightning Steel where non-toxic shot is required.
Is 28g or 32g better for shotgun cartridges in Ireland?
28g suits trap, skeet and high-volume clay practice. 32g is the standard Irish game load for pheasant, partridge and mixed rough shooting; step to 34–36g only for taller driven birds.
Do I need steel shotgun cartridges in Ireland?
Yes on wetlands and any estate or foreshore that bans lead. Inland driven and rough shoots may still allow lead — always check the ground rule before you load. Use a steel-proofed gun and more open chokes with steel.
What shot size should I use for pigeon shooting?
Size 6 in a 30g load such as Eley Pigeon Select is the usual Irish pigeon choice for decoying and flight lines. Heavier loads and larger shot waste energy and add recoil on volume days.
Are fibre wad cartridges required on Irish clay grounds?
Many clay grounds ban plastic wads and require fibre. A 32g fibre load like Saga Export keeps you legal; confirm the ground’s rule card before you unpack plastic-wad game shells.
How much do shotgun cartridges cost in Ireland in 2026?
Prices move with brand, shot load, wad type and steel versus lead. Check live pricing on Wildhunter Gunroom for the exact box you need rather than relying on last season’s receipt.
Can I use trap cartridges for driven game?
You can fire them, but 28g trap loads lack the payload many driven pheasant shots need at range. Keep Olympic Trap 28g for clays and use 32–34g game loads in the field.
Where can I buy shotgun cartridges Ireland-wide online?
Wildhunter Gunroom stocks Eley, B&P, Winchester, Saga and related game, clay and steel lines for licensed buyers. Match gram weight and wad type to your shoot before you order.
One last thing
Pattern the choke and cartridge combination on paper before the first driven day of 2026. A 32g “game” stamp means nothing if your half-choke prints a doughnut at 30 metres — change choke or load until the pattern is even, then buy that box in volume.