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I have a 12 gauge fox sterlingworth made in 1915, can anyone tell me whether or not modern ammo can be shot with this and if so what seperates this from the ithaca flues that are not rated for modern ammo?

thank you,

Scott

Yes, if in good condition. Design strength.
bill

check the chambers....most foxs had short chambers and tend to recoil less sharply with 2 1/2 in shells....if you use 2 3/4in shells stick with field loads...no express or magnums..

A.H. Fox Sterlingworth had one of the strongest boxlock action ever built. I have never seen one to "shoot loose". If the barrels are not pitted or the rib loose low brass or target loads should be fine. Have the chambers measured as one member said, many have 2 5/8 inch chambers. No steel shot!

George L

A.H. Fox Sterlingworth had one of the strongest boxlock action ever built. I have never seen one to "shoot loose". If the barrels are not pitted or the rib loose low brass or target loads should be fine. Have the chambers measured as one member said, many have 2 5/8 inch chambers. No steel shot!

George L

Scott,

You might enjoy this site:
http://www.foxcollectors.com/

For the forums:
http://www.foxcollectors.com/My%20Forum/phpBB2/index.php

"Modern ammo" is a very broad category. It really depends on the condition of the gun and what you are going to be shooting in it. Without examination by a knowledgeable gunsmith it would not be possible to say if the gun is safe.

Here are 2 that should not have been used with modern loads:




Once your gunsmith gives it the OK, then I know many people who use their Fox guns with heavy hunting loads.

Pete

You ask "What separates a Fox from a Flues?" The Flues has a section of the receiver that is sometimes thinner than it was probably designed to be. The frame splits on the Flues can usually be traced to this thin section. Possibly the pictured Fox split receivers have a slightly thinner than normal section that caused or allowed the splits. I have been told that the thin part of the Flues receiver can be measured for acceptable thickness by those who choose to shoot them with modern ammunition. I don't know how this is done or where the measurement is taken. The gun must be disassembled as I understand it.

I know that many use "modern" loads in their Fox guns, but I have several and won't use anything with pressures above about 9500 psi with the 12g. With that limit, there are many factory shells to chose from. The Federal 1 1/8 oz Gold Medal Paper Extra-Lite is one.

Scott
My 1913 Fox Sterlingworth is a great shooter when I feed it light loads. Despite the fact that you may be able to shoot it with "regular loads", I would refrain from doing so. Even though the gun may withstand a large load, the recoil is brutal. I found myself flinching when pulling the trigger(s) and missed more birds because of it. You can still get the job done using a 2 1/2 shell with low pressure or a light 2 3/4 (if your Fox is chambered as such)and will have a much more enjoyable shooting experiene in my opinion. You have a great gun....enjoy it!
Bill

I know I will catch some heat for this. If you have ever had a Fox apart it is easy to see that the bar is not as strong as a Parker, Ithaca NID, LC Smith or Syracuse Lefever. An Ithaca Flues or a Fox have a lot of metal removed for the cocking mechanism, that said they are still safe to use with loads they were designed for. It would be interesting to see if the Foxes made for heavy loads have more metal in the standing breech area.

Jim