Ammunition, Shotgun Cartridges & Rifle Ammo

Yes. To purchase rifle or pistol ammunition (Section 1), you need a valid Firearms Certificate (FAC) with the relevant calibre listed. To buy shotgun cartridges, you need a valid Shotgun Certificate (SGC). Your original certificate must be presented at the time of purchase, photocopies, photos, and digital copies are not accepted. Airgun pellets and BBs do not require a certificate, but you must be 18 or over to buy them.

Yes, but it depends on the pellet size. Standard buckshot cartridges containing five or more pellets, where no individual pellet exceeds .36 inches in diameter, can be purchased on a Shotgun Certificate (SGC). This covers most buckshot loads up to and including No. 1 Buck. Larger buckshot sizes (such as 00 and 000 Buck) where pellets exceed .36 inches typically require a Firearms Certificate (FAC) as they are classified as Section 1 ammunition. We stock a range of buckshot for practical shotgun competition, browse our practical shotgun ammunition category.

Yes, but they are classified as Section 1 ammunition and require a Firearms Certificate (FAC), not a Shotgun Certificate. You will need "slugs" or "single projectile" listed as an approved ammunition type on your FAC. Slugs are commonly used in practical shotgun (IPSC/PSG) competition and can also be authorised for deer management in certain circumstances. Your Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) will need to approve the addition to your certificate.

Snap caps are inert, dummy cartridges designed to protect your firearm's firing pin during dry-fire practice. They absorb the impact that would otherwise hit an empty chamber, preventing damage to the firing pin and breech face over time. Snap caps are available for both rifles and shotguns and do not require any certificate to purchase. They are particularly useful for practising gun handling, trigger control, and malfunction drills at home. Browse our rifle snap caps and shotgun snap caps.

For most clay shooting disciplines in the UK, shot sizes 7, 7½, and 8 are standard. English Sporting typically uses 7½ as a good all-round choice. DTL (Down The Line) shooters often prefer 7½ or 8 for the tighter patterns. Skeet shooters tend to use 9 for close-range targets. Load weights of 21g to 28g are standard for competition, with 24g being the most common for registered Sporting events. Always check your ground's rules, many now require fibre wad cartridges. See our clay shooting cartridges for the full range.

UK law sets minimum calibre and energy requirements for deer. For species such as roe and muntjac in England and Wales, the minimum is .220 calibre with a muzzle energy of at least 1,000 ft-lbs and a bullet weight of at least 50 grains. For larger species (fallow, red, sika), the minimum is .240 calibre with 1,700 ft-lbs muzzle energy and a 100-grain bullet. In Scotland, the requirements differ slightly. Popular choices include .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and .270 Winchester. Browse our game and stalking ammunition for suitable loads.

The UK Government confirmed in March 2026 that lead ammunition restrictions will be phased in between 2028 and 2029 under the REACH (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Key dates: lead rifle bullets (in calibres 6.17mm/.243 and above) for outdoor target shooting will be restricted from 1 April 2028. Lead shotgun cartridges for live quarry shooting and most recreational target shooting will be banned from 1 April 2029. Airgun pellets and .22 rimfire are not affected. We are already stocking non-lead alternatives from Hornady, Federal, Sako, and Barnes, speak to our team for advice on transitioning. For full details, see the BASC lead ammunition guidance.

Both types of wad sit between the powder charge and the shot, creating a gas seal when fired. Plastic wads generally produce tighter patterns at range and slightly less felt recoil, making them popular for competition shooting. Fibre wads are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, which is why many shooting grounds and game shoots now mandate their use. Performance differences at typical clay and game shooting distances are minimal with modern cartridges. If you are shooting over land managed for conservation, or on a ground that requires them, fibre wad is the way to go.