Chamber size on my Fox Sterlingworth

[kooch]

I own a 16 ga Fox sterlingworth serial # 358307. My research indicates this gun was produced between 1922 and 1923 at the A.H. Fox factory in Philadelphia. The barrels are Fluid Steel and the barrel length from end to lock is 30 inches. What I'm trying to determine is what is the chamber size of this gun. Everything I'm reading suggests Fox 16 ga shotguns are chambered for 2 9/16 shells. Can anyone confirm that Fox 16 ga guns were chambered for 2 9/16 shells? It's been suggested that I purchase RST shot shells because they are low compression loads that would bode well in an older gun such as my Fax 16 plus their shell length is 2 1/2( 2 8/16) which puts them a 1/16 in shorter then the indicated chamber size for my Fox 16 ga.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Kooch

[OH Osthaus]

you cannot go wrong with RST's in any older gun

but
the only way to know the current chamber length for certain is to measure them

[kooch]

Oh
Thanks for the response. Since the RST shells are a 1/16 in shorter then the chambers on my Sterlingworth I agree RST are shells one can't go wrong with. I like the fact that their compression stats are lower the Winchester, Remington and Federal. So I'll be purchasing from RST for my 16ga.

Thanks again. By the way what in your experience is he best and most correct way to measure the chambers on my 16ga Fox.

Regards,

Kooch

[jolly bill]

A simple (and cheap) way to measure the length of just about any shotgun chamber is to get a fired plastic hull/empty case and cut it in two where the plastic shell body meets the brass case. Clean up and square the edges of the plastic piece.

Measure the length of the plastic hull body you just cut off.

Insert the cut end into the chamber until it stops at the beginning of the forcing cone. You should be able to see the other end towards the breech end of the barrel.

Just measure the distance from the end of the plastic hull to the end of the barrel and add that to the length of the cut off shell and you have the chamber length.

Jolly

[vaturkey]

I've got one of these galazan chamber gauges that I've had for years. Unfortunately, I don't believe they are made any more. Some folks also use a dial caliper which can be marked at 2 1/2" 2 3/4" and 3" to measure chamber lengths.

https://www.connecticutshotgun.com/prod ... oke-gauge/

https://www.greatgages.com/collections/ ... al-caliper

[kooch]

To va turkey and jolly bill thanks for the info on measuring the chamber sizes of my 16 ga Fox. I have a digital caliper that can take inside measurements as well as the dept measurements. I will try both methods suggested and see what I come up with.

Regards and good shooting as well as a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.

Kooch