Classic Cartridges,  Modern Performance

Not everyone uses a 3” or even 2¾” chambered shotgun, as many prefer the older, more traditional shorter-chambered guns, mainly side-by-sides with traditional 2½” chambers. There’s nothing wrong with that, as probably more game and vermin have fallen to this size of cartridge over the years. However, companies like Gamebore have recognised the importance of catering specifically to these shooters, ensuring they benefit from advancements in shot quality, construction, and powder technology. Hence, the Regal Game cartridge features a traditional paper-spun case measuring 2½” in length, which is packed with modern technology and the latest components.
In fact, whether or not you own an older classic gun, the Regal Game cartridges are such an excellent option that giving them a try in your usual over/under might deliver surprising results—they certainly did for me. Additionally, steel options are available, so there’s no reason not to give them a try.
Priced at £411 per 1,000, this is a premium game load. As such, it commands a premium price and performs accordingly.

Everything you need to know
Gamebore’s 12-bore Regal cartridge is a true 2½” (65mm) game cartridge, incorporating cutting-edge technology and delivering the excellent performance of its 2¾” counterparts. It instantly stands out with its short stature and beautifully made red paper casing with black load data around its middle. The large 16mm head makes the case even more stumpy-looking but is designed for smooth, clean ejection, and the six-star frontal closure is perfect. Gamebore has ensured that the shot size is precisely graded to English diameters, delivering true English sizes and, consequently, the perfect patterns expected from a specialised loading.
Combustion is initiated with a CX2000 primer, which is one of the most consistent and reliable primers available today, universally used by manufacturers in Britain. It produces not only a precise and even-burning flame but also an intensity that ensures complete powder ignition for maximum velocity (1,425fps) while leaving a cleaner bore afterwards.
The clean-burning F2 powders that Gamebore uses help as well. They have been chosen largely due to their consistent and outstanding performance, and they always provide smooth recoil in lightweight guns. The difference that a specific powder can make to the recoil you feel in your gun is truly remarkable.
As you would expect, Gamebore has gone all out with the shot that they use in this loading, using what are, in my opinion, unrivalled Diamond Shot lead pellets. Made from pure British ingots and riddled down (dropped down the only shot tower in Britain), the Diamond shot is graded five times for consistency in size and spherical shape. This not only achieves the best, most uniform shot, but it is also polished until bright like nickel (though it is not plated) to ensure outstanding patterns and ultimate performance. The antimony level means each pellet is individually harder, ensuring the shot does not deform or clump when fired, like standard shot would. You can choose between No.5 (2.8mm) and No.6 (2.6mm) lead pellet sizes, with load options of 28g, 30g, or 32g—all paired with a fibre wad.
Again, the wadding is one of the key components in any shotgun shell, and this 100% fibre wad features a uniform construction and delivers an excellent gas seal after firing, initiating the smooth transfer of shot up the barrel and through the choke for excellent patterns—all while being environmentally friendly.

To the pattern boards!
I like quirky rounds, and these Regal Game cartridges certainly fit the bill. Unfortunately, I did not have a classic 12-bore with 2½” chambers to test them in! Therefore, I opted for my venerable Browning Black Shadow—my go-to 12-bore.
So, with the ¼ choke in the bottom barrel and the ½ choke in the top barrel, I set up some pattern boards at 30 yards and shot some loads to test pattern efficiency. First up, I have to say how light the recoil was. Despite the 1,425fps velocity, the mild nature and very gentle recoil were down to great internal ignition properties and also the Browning’s ergonomics—let’s be honest.
With the ½ choke fitted, we had a total of 220 No.5 pellet strikes on the board, which is really good under any circumstances. The distribution between the inner 15” and outer 30” sections of the pattern board was nearly identical, containing 109 and 111 pellets, respectively. To me, this shows that the excellent components of the Regal Game come together seamlessly to produce a tight, dense, and really hard-hitting round—all from a 2½” case!
For closer or walked-up game, the first barrel may well have the ¼ choke fitted, which I prefer, as I tend to get in close in the dense foliage after vermin or game. Here, a wider but dense pattern is appreciated, so it does not tear up the game too much. Given this choke size, we still achieved 187 pellets on the board, with a distribution of 61 inners and 126 outers. Quite frankly, the patterns were excellent—very even and consistent overall.

Conclusion
Do not dismiss this cartridge as a 2½”-only chambered gun cartridge. Yes, it’s great for classic guns, but its performance far outweighs the smaller dimensions. This is a great game cartridge in anyone’s eyes.

Contacts
Gamebore - www.gamebore.co.uk
FA Andersons – www.faanderson.co.uk