Alter Sterlingworth Chokes

[Joe Vollrath]

I own a 1915 Sterlingworth, which for as long as I can remember was my fathers only gun. Since he was born in 1903 he had to have bought this gun used; he was an electrician possibly he traded some wiring work for the gun?

The gun is in good shape for its age and locks up like a bank vault, not much case colors left but the barrel blue is probably 90%, varnish still looks good though it has several field scratches. I put a new Hawkins pad from CSM on several years ago.

The gun dimensions and choke match letter from Mr. Callahan. I am 72 years old and will pass this gun on to my daughter for her to give to one of two grandsons, the other will then get my wifes fathers 1905 Parker,which is not in the same condition. Though I also shoot it, and will on next Saturday for the first day of the dove season. It is an ideal early season bird gun at Cyl.+and IC.

Here is my question I would like to use the Fox more in the field, specifically on Dove and Quail, its choked Full and real full. I would like the choke opened to IC & Mod. Any opinions ? It will no longer match the factory letter. Barrel length is 30 inches and it really points well, probably the best pointing SxS that I own.

[Silvers]

Hello Joe, welcome to the forum. I'd suggest doing yourself and your grandsons a favor and get the chokes opened up a bit. I personally wouldn't hestitate 1 microsecond with that decision. I've seen too many people struggling with really tight chokes on a gun they inherited. Better to pass on a gun that retains most of its original flavor but can be used, than one to sit in a closet corner gathering dust. I'd bet your Dad would agree with that too.

I assume the gun is a 12 gauge and you said it already has a replacement Hawkins - which is quite different than the original ones. Ergo it's not original. Also, very few except purist collectors or research type guys really care about the factory letter match on the lower grade, common Foxes. If it were a 32 incher, okay I wouldn't do it. That would be the only exception for me.

Your Fox is probably choked about .035" and .040", full & X-full with older shells. It's probably doing 75% or better patterns with modern plastic wads and might even be "blowing patterns" with modern loads. Either can be a real detriment for most shooting. Today you can get 70% patterns (full choke spec) with at little as .025" constriction. If you are a sport/hunter shooter I would concur with something like .010" and .020" (typical IC and Mod constrictions). If you're a more accomplished shooter maybe something like .020" (Mod) in both barrels would be a good setup. I wouldn't go too open, once you ream those tapered chokes you can't go backwards. Silvers

[Researcher]

A 30-inch barrel 12-gauge Sterlingworth is the most common Fox double, so unless in near mint condition, doesn't have much collector interest. So, might as well make it as useful to yourself as possible. A few years ago I had a nice Husqvarna Model 310AS worked over by Keith Kearcher. It was choked full and fuller -- .038" right and .042" left. I had Keith open it to .010" right and .020" left. Makes a much more useful gun. Only thing better might have been to go .005" and .010"!!!

[mike campbell]

I concur with Silvers & Researcher.

The only thing I might add is a recommendation that you send your barrels to Mike Orlen for the choke work. Having been burned by some of the more famous names in gunsmithing, I'm cautious about recommending people.

But I've had 3 sets of Fox barrels worked on by Mike this summer. For the 6 chokes altered, every one was within .001" of the request, his price is absolutely unbeatable, and the turnaround....from NY to MA and back to NY....was <10 ays each time.

That said, I'm most thrilled with his precision work. Most any 'smith can open to "IC" or "Mod", but Mike will hit the exact constriction I ask for. Maybe that's not entirely necessary, but it's certainly satisfying!

[Joe Vollrath]

Thanks all for your input, I am going to contact Mike Orlean this week on opening the chokes probably .010 and.020. Will discuss with him. Hopefull I can send him the Barrels ( easier to pack ); also if I can get it back by late October I would be real happy as I have several Quail hunts that I have been invited to.

The gun had a Hawkins pad on it for as long as I can remember, some one put it on many, many years ago. My father or the previous owner ? The one on it was as hard as a rock. My father died young at 58 in 1961, he was a three pack a day smoker.

For years the gun rested in my gun rack then gun safe, I would look it over every year, grease the barrels then put on a ligh coat of oil, I do this with all guns that I own. My shooting irons back then were pump guns, like a model 37 and model 12.

I have a Savage Fox B model that my dad gave me new when I turned 18. Its is also a hand me down to daughter. I will also hunt with this once in a while, it does not point like the Fox; it is choked IC & Mod. and is in near new condition.

I really got hooked on shot guns and shooting about ten years ago through a friend, first with informal skeet & trap then sporting clays. The Sterlingworth is a nice gun for trap. Though I now use a Beretta 391 or 682 for the clay sports, I hesitate to put a lot of rounds through the Sterlingworth, such as with trap. I re-load low pressure loads ( 6800 psi ) for it and the Parker.

Dove season opens here in Georgia a week from to day. Its almost a state holiday, since I belong to a "club" we will start the day at noon with a southern BBQ meal then of to the dove field. I will take two guns, the Parker and a 28 gage Ruger red label that I won at a sporting clays match several years ago ---lewis class.

I really like the 28 and I believe that Ruger made this one right. Wish they would try a side by side with dual triggers. I have toyed with the idea of purchasing a De Hann, 28 with two triggers, 28 inch barrel. I will probably post pone this untile after I get the Sterlingworth chokes opened. That will no doubt kill my desire for a SxS 28.