ELEY MANUFACTURING

Eley Hawk bases its excellence on in-house technological developments, which are the outcome of continuous investment in research, development and innovation, plus a fully integrated production chain.

Over 190 years of experience has enabled the brand to develop a wide range of products and components designed to meet the highest demands of clay and game shooters across the world, becoming the benchmark for the evolution of the shotgun cartridge sector and an integral part of the fabric of shooting.

The process begins with the manufacture of components, such as the powders and primers in Maxam’s factory in Vizcaya, Spain. The cartridge metalwork process is performed in Alava, Spain, and this process is followed by the extrusion of the tube and assembling of the cases. Lastly, the cartridge loading process is carried out in the main factory in Birmingham, England.

The inspections defined in the quality assurance plans are very extensive and span from dimensional and visual analysis to hardness inspections; metal oxidation, polyethylene fluidity and traction tests; primer sensitivity tests; shot and powder weight controls; and ballistic tests where the critical pressure and velocity parameters are checked.

As a result of these strict quality assurance inspections and technological processes, Eley Hawk achieves the highest precision in the subsequent performance of the components of its cartridges. Eley Hawk is proud to hold the strictest quality and safety controls, ISO 9001-2015. And have recently achieved IS0 14001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007.

Research & Development

Research and development is a key part of Eley Hawk's success. Innovative new product lines have allowed them to consistently rank as one of the industry's world leaders.

There have been many ground-breaking developments in cartridge production at Eley Hawk, with cartridges continuously achieving a smoother performance thanks to the expertise and science that lies behind their products.

In 2002, Maxam, Europe's largest manufacturer of explosives and shotgun ammunition, bought Eley Hawk. The investment allowed the brand to move production lines into state-of-the-art facilities based in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield.

Eley’s team of experts are continuously producing precision-made cartridges, each requiring a different performance, from improved muzzle velocity or a faster down-range velocity to less recoil, with each determining a different formula of cartridge ingredients.

Product assembly

High-tech loading equipment coupled with experienced operators ensure that the highest quality finished product is always produced by Eley Hawk. During the production process, cartridges are regularly removed from the line and tested in a proof barrel for pressure and velocity. In addition, further test-firing and pattern tests are carried out at an off-site proofing ground to guarantee that all Eley Hawk ammunition is of the highest possible standard and consistency.

A cartridge consists of the following components; primer, case head, base wad, tube, powder, and shot. Each component part is vital to the performance of the finished cartridge.