Lyalvale Express High-Performance Ultimate Steel cartridges - The name says it all

Lyalvale Express is one of those companies that does not shout and scream about their success. Instead, they like to concentrate their efforts on research and development and producing cartridges that real shooters want.
The High-Performance Ultimate Steel cartridge aims to match the performance of the same-sized lead shot, satisfying the expectations of shooters. Enter their 32-gram loading that offers the highest lethality in a non-toxic steel game cartridge. It has Lyalvale’s new ‘Greencore’ wad that is 100% biodegradable and compostable, making it excellent for game fields and the environment. Furthermore, its non-toxic credentials are enhanced by its special iron alloy shot, which conforms to the CIP softness requirements. However, it won’t deform like lead. This therefore results in ultimately tighter patterns downrange and over longer distances, which steel shot normally has trouble with.
Overall, a very high-performing 12-gauge cartridge that’s designed to only be used in guns that show the CIP Fleur de Lys proof markings and are therefore proofed for high-pressure steel shot loads. Retail prices range from £567.00 per 1000.

Spec
As with all Express cartridges, the box and packaging are very good, with all the relevant cartridge details and safety information clearly visible. The load on test measures 76mm (3”) and contains 32-grams of No.4 shot, and the grey casing with red lettering clearly states: ‘For a weapon steel shot proved to 1320 bar’.
This ammo potentially develops 1410 fps from a 30” barrel, and the nickel-washed brass head is extended to 16mm for the higher pressures, plus its tempered nature ensures perfect ejection from a variety of shotgun designs. The six-star crimp at the top holds the shot column at the correct pressure on firing and also does a good job of preventing debris and water ingress. Overall, a well-made, very uniform, and well-presented cartridge.

It’s what’s inside that counts
Upon disassembling the case, the bright green flaked powder responsible for the Ultimate Steel’s high performance is revealed. In use, the cartridges generate high velocities without excessive recoil, which is great and difficult to achieve.
The wad is where a cartridge can be made or broken, and the ‘Green Core’ wad is 100% biodegradable and compostable, making it perfect for any game field. The design shows an all-encapsulating shot cup, so the steel shot is held in situ along the length of the barrel and does not abrade against it. Once out of the muzzle, the three split ears peal back to release the long shot column. We found the wads had landed around 25 yards from us.
Interestingly, it was Baschieri & Pellagri that brought out the Green Core wad system, and they are owned by Fiocchi, which in turn bought Lyalvale Express, hence the use of the excellent Green Core wad technology! Its polymeric compounds mean that it starts to break down within six months, as the carbon content in the soil starts the activation process. All clever stuff. It also means that water is not needed to degrade the wad, otherwise any ingress into the case would cause a few issues!
Being a 3” (76mm) cartridge, you can pack a lot of shot inside. The 32-gram No. 4 cartridges on test averaged around 220 pellets per case, and the 3.25mm steel pellets were very uniform.

In the field
Steel can be a bit anaemic on energy but there is no doubt these High-Performance Ultimate Steel loads will get the job done. No more than ½ choke must be used with these high-pressure cartridges, and so this is what I used when shooting at the pattern boards 30 yards away.
We had a Browning Maxus 2 Max-5 semi-auto on test, and it seemed a fitting gun to shoot this load through. Firstly, the recoil was noticeable for sure but still easy on the shoulder and it did not destroy the sightline too much either. However, that’s also due to the Browning’s excellent ergonomics.
We had a total of 215 pellets hit the board, with 113 within the 30” circumference and the remaining 102 clustered in the centre 15” sector. Yes, there was a slightly left bias, but it was very windy and was probably me wobbling! Overall, the pattern showed very good coverage. Also, the shot column got to the board very quickly and actually toppled it over on its 18mm ply backboard!
Next, I switched to the ¼ choke to see how it faired, as sometimes a less restrictive choke can improve the pattern when it comes to steel loads. There were 204 pellets on the boards, with 79 inner hits and 125 outer hits. All in all, a more even spread from left to right than the ½ choke. It is up to you how to use your chokes and remember - every gun is different.

Conclusion
Putting the Green Core wad system in a premium English cartridge is a win for both the environment and performance. Overall, these High-Performance Ultimate Steel cartridges certainly live up to their name, as several pigeons and rabbits found out one evening!