doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Fox Sterlingworth 16--chamber question

Just finished restocking a 16 ga Fox Sterlingworth. It came out great but has 2 1/2" chambers, 26" barrels. I can make short reloads for it (but I'd rather not) and sooner or later but when I send it down the road, I'm wondering if a would-be buyer would rather see one with original chamber length (obviously without original stock), or one that is easier to find and/or load ammo for. Thanks for your thoughts, Gil

I would leave it as is. I say that as there have been a number of 16 gauge Foxes that have their chambers extended by backyard Bubba gunsmith and as such when measured they are unsafe to shoot. If you get a chance contact John Hosford as he measures a ton of barrels at various shoots and has come across a number of Fox 16 gauges that he regards as borderline unsafe at best.

tut/ Thank you for the reply! Gil

Gil, while the safety issue is foremost, reworking the chambers will reduce the value to most purchasers. Sherman Bell didn't measure significant pressure elevation shooting the longer shells in the shorter chambers. However these old guns have a shorter life shooting near SAAMI pressure limits and heavy loads and faster velocity than they were built for. Hundred year old wood can't take the beating without regard to the metal. Keep the old stock as well for the next owner. Gil

I'll offer my take on your questions as well, Gil. I've been where you are, but with a 20. My Philly Fox Sterlingworth Ejector had short chambers. The wall thicknesses were such that the chambers could be lengthened to 2 3/4" and still have plenty of meat. I chose to use a barrel man to do so that is well versed in this "dilemma", Dean Harris of Skeet's Gunshop in Tahlequah, OK. I wanted my chokes opened, and decided to let him do both the choke work and the chamber work. I've never regretted my decision. It is a great quail and woodcock gun now, that can utilize over the counter ammo with no cause for concern.

I agree that just anybody should not be trusted to lengthen chambers, and I also would not have done this with a rarer, high graded gun. But........... it's a Sterlingworth. Not to belittle them, but the fact is they aren't exactly rare, and it was more important to me to increase its usefulness for me than to retain its originality. I do not belittle other's feelings, that disagree with me about this, but that's my take.

Stan and(other) Gil. Thanks much for the thoughtful replies! Gil

this issue of 2 1/2" chamber lengthening applies to all guns with fluid steel barrels and not just to fox doubleguns...

it all boils down to the barrel wall thicknesses in front of the chambers...a rule of thumb used by some gunsmiths is to not lengthen chambers, if the metal removed leaves the barrel walls in front of the chambers, less than .090 of an inch...

as to value, shooters like their guns to be capable of safely shooting readily available field loads. and they consider 2 3/4 chambers to be added value...some others, on the other hand will use any non factory alteration to a gun as an excuse to chisel your asking price...

experience is the best teacher. and safety should be our most important consideration. so, when considering any barrel alteration, bring your gun to an experienced smith with the tools and expertise to do the job right and not leave you with an unsafe gun...

I had Dean open the chambers on a 16 gauge Fox. If I was going to open the chambers again, he would be the guy. He is very good. FWIW, he has his own special made reamer that cuts the chambers a tad shorter then 2 3/4", but also at the same time extends the forcing cone.