doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Another 2 1/2" cartridge question- Eley

Thank you kindly to all who made cartridge suggestions in my other post.

I have some questions about my current supply of ammo- Eley-Kynoch headstamp, 2 1/2", 1oz, #8. see photos below.

Questions are:

1. Does anyone here have experience with this stuff, and if so how does it compare to the highly-rated offerings from RST, Polywad, B&P? Basically, I am just wondering if there is any conventional wisdom that I should be aware of.

2. The box says that I can shoot it in anything nitro proofed, 3 tons, 1 1/8 oz. Do you all feel that this is an appropriate guideline, or should I be more (or less) conservative?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

The standard nitro proof in England for 2 1/2" shells is 3 tons and 1/18 oz shot. If your gun is in proof these loads should be great. And they'd be fine in American guns, providing they're in good condition.

Joe Wood is quite correct on the technical aspect.
My personal view on Ely cartridges is that they are noisy and 'sharp' in recoil. I don't like them and avoid them if at all possible in light game guns but I am sure they are fine in heavier tools. IMHO
Ely have gone the way of most cartridge manufacturers in chasing velocity as a selling point. I am sure they are well within the CIP spec but I find them harsh.
In the UK we have Hull cartridges which are a much smoother shooting cartridge probably as they promote pattern over velocity in most of the standard product.
Whether you can access this manufacturer and whether their US product is the same I don't know.
RST are excellent cartridges which are smooth and pleasant to shoot, I can't say I have any experience of the others.

Hello
I suppose this is them?

http://www.hullcartridge.co.uk/

Some years back I have tried Eley, Gamebore and Hull cartridges. I would not buy them again. They are not worth single penny over quality Italian and domestic stuff.

PS. If ma is English and that's what you really want or need buy paper cased ones with fiber wads. While I do not habitually shoot at large paper sheets an expert once told me that combo throws most consistent patters across broad temperature range. I would avoid their plastic cased stuff with plastic cups unless you don't mind throwing money away needlessly.

All very good advice, lots of personal opinion.
So please may I offer mine?
All the cartridge manufacturers have to comply with the CIP specification in Europe, that being said ALL the brands be suitable.
IMHO many manufacturers have lost sight of the ball and are chasing velocity, when in reality we the customer want performance and comfort.
With this in mind we should look at the 'light' loads available from the manufacturers.
Hull & Gamebore produce a Light Load commissioned by H&H which is a superbly comfortable to shoot.
Eley 'First' are cheap, perform well but are considered 'dirty' because of the powder/ wad fouling, but if you have a cleaning regime in place that is no problem.
I have to agree with Toby that the Eley Impax are a little sharp especially in the lighter gun, but of course they are an old established traditional game cartridge and much loved by the 'Gentry'.
In the US I would use something from RST but here at home (UK) I would never hesitate to use Express Supreme or Hull Imperial Game.
The Italians know a thing or two about cartridge loading, but they do sting a little possibly as a result of their passion for Trap shooting.
Remember the well worn maxim 'Find a cartridge you like and stick with it'. Good shooting.

I've used Eley Grand Prix and Kent Gamebore Pure Gold shells for pheasants, in light English game guns (6 1/4#), here in the States. I've been pleased with both. That being said, generally speaking, the British shells available in the States are mostly heavier, faster game loads as opposed to lighter and somewhat slower target loads. For the latter, I either reload my own or else shoot the light loads from RST. No use beating yourself up if you're shooting 100 rounds in an afternoon.

Those particular Impax cartridges in the above photograph would date from the early to mid 1970's. That is going by the box style and the smooth plasic cases. Impax are very popular here and I use them without a problem. Lagopus.....