Cartridge Manufacturing, development
and Future trends in non lead loads
David Scott
UK Commercial Manager
Eley Hawk Limited
27/03/2012
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Eley Hawk Ltd
Founded in 1828 - 184 years of experience and know how.
Acquired by Spanish group Maxam in 2002.
Based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Eley Hawk manufacture both lead and bismuth shot and our
famous Kleena fibre wads on site at Sutton Coldfield.
Cases, primers, plastic wads and powders are manufactured
within our group.
All Eley cartridges loaded in the UK.
Eley Hawk remains a true cartridge manufacturer not a loader !
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MAXAM Group
Founded by Alfred Nobel as UEE in Spain in 1872
Turnover of c.1 billion Euros R & D lead business
One of the worlds largest civil explosive manufacturers
Outdoors division covers worldwide sales and cartridge manufacturing
in the USA. Brands such as Rio, Saga, Diana and Eley
Manufacture an extensive range of powders, primers, wads and
cartridge cases both for sporting and other purposes.
Heavily integrated business
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What makes a good shotgun cartridge
Always use the highest quality components
– cases, primers, powders, wads and shot
Best way to ensure this – make them yourself !
Consistent ballistic performance
Smooth recoil
Produce regular, even patterns
Effective at the appropriate range
Choice of wads Plastic, Fibre or Photodegradable
Choice of shot
Lead and non lead
Payload and shot size options to suit the quarry
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Non Lead cartridge considerations
Key characteristics might also include
MUST be effective at normal ranges
No special gun requirements
Use of fibre wads in certain shooting areas
Several calibre options
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Propellants
Comprehensive range manufactured by Maxam exclusive to Eley.
Single base nitrocellulose powders – double and triple also made.
Continuous improvement and development programme
Powders formulated for specific loads - payload and wad type.
Varying burn speeds dependant on load and gauge
Progressive burn rates/acceleration results in reduced recoil and
pellet damage giving improved patterns.
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Wads
Ballistically efficient gas seal
Designed for the specific payload
and shot type – Steel shot wads
Plastic, Photodegradable or fibre.
Eley Kleena wads are 100% fibre and made at our factory.
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Non Lead Shot Material Options
Initial use of Tin and Zinc discarded either due to poor
performance, cost or toxicity issues
Tungsten
density 19.3g + 71%
Steel
density 7.8g
- 30%
Bismuth
density 9.8g
- 13%
Lead
density 11.3g
----
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Velocity
High muzzle velocity is not always a good guide to performance or
patterns.
High speed can often equal recoil .........It kicks so it must be fast ?
Sorry but no ........
Observed velocity @ 20m is key to the cartridges performance.
Downrange is where it matters
Very high velocity can disrupt patterns resulting in poor performance
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Shot Size
Important consideration when using alternatives to lead
In a given payload of the same shot size you would have c.30% more
steel pellets and c.12% more Bismuth
Given the lower density, using a UK 6 ( 2.6mm ) shot as a benchmark
To provide approx the same pellet weight, pellet size needs to be
increased to maintain effectiveness.
Steel
UK 4 ( 3.1mm ) – go up 2 sizes
Bismuth UK 5 ( 2.8mm ) – go up 1 size
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Steel loads
Come under two CIP Standard groupings
Standard Steel
which operate at normal cartridge pressures and
can be used in most modern guns – NOT damascus/twist steel
barrels.
High Performance which operate at higher pressures and must
ONLY be used in guns which are steel shot proofed and bear the Fleur
de Lys mark.
Limitations to consider
Half choke max with shot over 4mm, plastic wads, effective range
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Steel loads
Eley Hawk manufacture to CIP Standards
Two key aspects - which work ‘hand in hand’
Hardness of the shot – CIP stipulates soft iron shot
Plastic wads – only specially designed and approved steel
shot wads can be used to prevent barrel damage
.
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Why consider Bismuth ?
Similar density to lead
Same degree of malleability to lead can be achieved
Similar ballistic performances to lead can be achieved
Can be used with fibre wads
No special Proof requirements
Safe in all suitable guns including old English guns.
NO restrictions on choke
Available as loose shot for home loading
And one last thought .......................
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Why consider Bismuth ?
Easier on your teeth !
.
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Eley Bismuth Evo III cartridge range
Launched in 2009, a big step forward in achieving the
performance characteristics of lead in a non lead load.
A new alloy containing a small % tin but
using a very specific quality of Bismuth
which was found to give malleability
characteristics similar to lead.
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Benefits of Eley Bismuth EVO III shot
Shot delivery downrange – no loss of pellets
through breakage
Greatly improved malleability, deforms on impact like lead giving
up energy to improve knockdown qualities
Penetration equivalent to lead at equal range.
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Penetration of Eley Bismuth EVO III shot
No.4 shot @ 30m
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Comprehensive range
Covers 12,16, 20, 28 bore and even .410
Fibre and photodegradable wads
Loads up to 46g and shot sizes up to BB
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COST
Bismuth is expensive ?
Price comparisons of a 32g load
Lead £265 - 26.5p
Steel £370 – 37p
Tungsten £1750 - £1.75 Bismuth £1080 - £1.08
How many cartridges do you shoot ?
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The Future ....?
Eley Hawk will continue to develope Bismuth loads because of
their effectiveness on game, the range of calibres, shot sizes and
wad options available and their suitability in most guns.
There is likely to be further development of steel loads due to
consumer pressure because of their lower cost.
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Thank you for listening
David Scott
UK Commercial Manager
Eley Hawk
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