Match your Vintage Gun to Non-Toxic Shot

In brief, we guide you through the options for using non-toxic ammunition in your vintage guns.

Your vintage gun will have been proof tested long before the idea of steel shot was considered worthy of discussion. Here, we examine the most common proof status combinations and explain what your non-toxic alternatives are.

I have an 1875 Damascus barrelled hammer gun with 2 1/2” black powder proof only and no choke. What non-toxic ammunition can I currently buy and use?

There is no approved steel load for use in this gun. Gamebore and Eley produce black powder cartridges but none containing non-toxic shot. You can buy non-toxic shot in bulk and load your own cartridges, using tungsten or bismuth in place of lead.

I have an 1875 Damascus barrelled hammer gun that has been re-proofed for 70mm nitro it has slight choke constrictions, equating to Improved Cylinder. What non toxic ammunition can I currently buy and use?

You can buy and shoot any ‘Standard Steel’ load in cases 70mm in length.

You can also use bismuth or tungsten matrix cartridges in 65mm or 70mm cases.

I have a 1957 steel barrelled boxlock with 2 3/4” nitro proof and 1/4 and 3/4 choke. What non toxic ammunition can I currently buy and use?

You can buy and shoot any ‘Standard Steel’ load in cases 70mm in length. Do not use shot larger than No.4.

You can also use bismuth or tungsten matrix cartridges in 65mm or 70mm cases.

I have a William Ford 12-bore with 2 1/2” nitro proof and choked 1/4 and 1/2 choke.. What non toxic ammunition can I currently buy and use?

There are currently no steel loads that are approved for 2 1/2” chambers. You will have to choose 65mm cased bismuth or (if you can find them) tungsten matrix cartridges.