A Smarter, More Responsible Approach to Shotgun Performance

As environmental awareness continues and as stewards of the shooting and hunting community, ammunition design is evolving right alongside it. One of the most innovative developments in this space is the GreenCore biodegradable wad used in select Baschieri & Pellagri shotshells – including the NEXT target line, Privilege Game upland loads, and Dual Waterfowl and Dual Bismuth offerings.

But unlike many so-called “eco” solutions, GreenCore isn’t about compromise. It’s about engineering, a component that improves performance while reducing long-term environmental impact.

Green Core Wad for lead and bismuth leading; Steel, Copper, Tungsten and other alternative materials loading; For fiber loading

What Makes GreenCore Different?

At its core (pun intended), GreenCore is a biodegradable and compostable wad material designed to break down naturally through the action of bacteria found in soil and mud.

This distinction matters! Many shooters assume “biodegradable” means water-soluble or photo-degradable (breaks down in sunlight), GreenCore is neither. Instead, it is engineered to remain stable during use and storage, break down only when exposed to natural bacterial environments, and decompose into natural elements without leaving microplastics. It performs like a traditional wad when you need it – and disappears when nature takes over.

image showing the different GreenCore wads

How GreenCore Was Developed?

The GreenCore project wasn’t a quick solution – it was the result of extensive R&D and collaboration with advanced material experts, including work with the University of Bologna to develop a viable biodegradable polymer for industrial use.

The challenge was significant. The material had to be biodegradable and compostable. It had to withstand shotshell pressures and temperatures, and it needed to run on existing manufacturing systems. Early versions struggled with elasticity and stability, but through continued refinement, B&P developed a material that delivers both performance environmental compatibility.

Dual Bismuth shotshell being held by a hunter

Designed for Real-World Environments

One of the most unique and practical features of GreenCore is its density. Unlike traditional plastic wads that will float on water and linger in the environment, GreenCore is denser than water and designed to sink immediately when shot over water.

This is especially important for waterfowl hunting. Instead of floating on the surface or washing into shorelines, the wad drops directly to the bottom of the waterways. The wad sinks and reaches the mud and sediment, initiating natural biodegradation, where bacteria are most active. It’s a design that aligns with how and where the product is actually used

Dual Steel box on a fence next to a shotgun

Performance Advantages You Can Feel

GreenCore isn’t just about environmental responsibility – it also brings real ballistic advantages.

Compared to traditional polymer wads, GreenCore is considerably stiffer. This matters because it holds the shot column together longer during the initial phase of travel. It delays pellet dispersion slightly and helps create more controlled, efficient patterns. The result is increased effective range and better pattern density, especially on longer or more demanding targets.

Looking for consistent internal ballistics – the GreenCore material maintains structural integrity under pressure. The wad maintains a consistent gas seal enhancing uniform shot acceleration and predictable patterns. This aligns with B&P’s broader philosophy of consistency-driven performance.

One of the biggest misconceptions about biodegradable components is that they come at the cost of performance. GreenCore proves otherwise with a design for modern pressures and velocities, maintains pattern efficiency and reliability, and an alignment with premium hunting and target shotshell loads.

Closing Shots

The GreenCore wad represents a meaningful step forward in shotshell design. By combining biodegradable, bacteria-driven decomposition with real-world ballistic advantages, it bridges the gap between performance and responsibility.

It doesn’t dissolve prematurely; it doesn’t rely on sunlight, and it works when you shoot – and disappears when nature takes over. For shooters who demand both performance and progress, it’s a technology that simply makes sense.