Firearms use
Guidance on issues such as additional conditions on firearms certificates, the law around borrowing guns and access to shooting land.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Learn about our current conservation projects and how you can get involved.
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
Firearms Shot sizes
Traditionally, different pellet sizes in lead shot have been favoured for different types of shooting, such as:
BB/1/3
6/7
5/6
6/7
Recent research, however, may result in recommended shot sizes changing, generally towards larger pellets than were used in the past.
Each non-lead type has different ballistic characteristics, which means that pellet sizes may need to change for these materials to achieve pattern density and striking energy levels sufficient to ensure consistently clean kills.
In particular, where the material is less dense than lead, and so has less kinetic energy, it is necessary to use a larger size shot – for example, if steel is used then at least two sizes larger (i.e. for lead no.6 use steel no.4 or larger); if bismuth is used then at least one size larger (no.3 or larger in place of lead no.4).
While the traditional game load has long been 30g or 32g (11/16 oz and 11/8 oz) of no.6 shot nowadays game shooters are using more no.5 or larger shot.
In Steel
In Bismuth increase the shot size by one from the traditional lead sizes quoted above.
Remember – a heavy load does not necessarily increase the effective range of a shotgun.
Guidance on issues such as additional conditions on firearms certificates, the law around borrowing guns and access to shooting land.
Information on age restrictions for the possession and use of firearms by young people under the age of 18, including using borrowed rifles.
Anyone shooting on MoD ranges (including Bisley ranges) is required to possess and produce, on request, a certification card for the type of firearm they are using.
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