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Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 10:47 am
by DarylC
As we grow older we tend to accumulate at lot of "stuff". Amongst that stuff are these guns we have chased for so many years. For some reason or the other you have to dispose of all your guns except one. Which one would be the lucky one? For me it would have to be my 20ga, 30" SW. My first 20 and the one I can always depend on. She ain't fancy but she's like an extension of my arm when I shoot her.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:31 am
by Jeff S
Daryl, I love questions like this because it’s fun to hear what everyone says and the rationale behind their decision.
Right now, if I could only keep one, it would be the 12 ga. XE that I used in South Dakota. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 12 oz. it’s easy to carry while hunting, pheasants, grouse or woodcock. Most of my hunting time is spent in a duck blind and the mod/full chokes are perfect for shooting over decoys or passing shots. It’s got wonderful engraving, nice wood and the 28” barrels fit me perfectly. You didn’t ask for a 2nd choice, but my 16 Parker DH is right there. Gosh I love that little gun.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:35 am
by Fin2Feather
That's a tough one! It probably SHOULD be my 16ga Sterlingworth Ejector, 28" and 6-1/2 pounds, the first "good" shotgun I owned. But honestly it would probably be my 16ga A Grade, 28" and 6-1/4 pounds.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 4:48 pm
by vaturkey
Because I mostly hunt Woodcock it would be the meat gun 20 gauge upgraded Sterly. If I hunted out more in Nebraska it would be a 30 inch 16 gauge Sterly ejector because of running into more Pheasant.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 5:03 pm
by Jeff S
Fin2Feather wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:35 am
That's a tough one! It probably SHOULD be my 16ga Sterlingworth Ejector, 28" and 6-1/2 pounds, the first "good" shotgun I owned. But honestly it would probably be my 16ga A Grade, 28" and 6-1/4 pounds.
I love 16’s
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 5:16 pm
by ROMAC
My two barreled custom 16 I call Reynard will never leave.
It was engraved by Geoffroy Gournet who, sadly, died recently. It is the only gun that I’ve ever had custom built for my dimensions and I think I shoot it very well. 15 1/8 lop and cast on guns don’t turn up in gun stores very often.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:37 am
by fox-admin
There are many things in my life I could easily simplify, reducing my gun collection is not one of them.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:35 am
by Foxnut
For me I would have to keep two. 1. The CE 16 my Dad gave me when I was 11 years old. Not because it’s a closet queen or anything special but because it came from him and I have a 52 year history with it! Second would be my A Grade 16 gauge two barrel set. It is the gun that I naturally gravitate to when pulling out a gun for a grouse/woodcock hunting trip.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:05 am
by eightbore
My HE 20, or my HE 12 that letters to Nash, or which Parker, A or AA, oh heck, I agree with Craig. It can't be done. To be honest, with the price of shot what it is, a .410 would probably win out. Now, which .410? Maybe the skeet configured Francotte from the family of a famous four star.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm
by MC1952
Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 3:43 pm
by DarylC
MC1952 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm
IMG_2499.jpeg
Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 4:53 pm
by fox-admin
DarylC wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 3:43 pm
MC1952 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm
IMG_2499.jpeg
Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me. A 20ga Sterly and NID field (I'm not a Ithaca guy) are the best values in the world of vintage SxS 20ga guns. I'm not a small bore guy but I'm tempted just because. Tom T remember I'm all ears if you want to sell me your 20ga 30" Sterly. Fox small bores are lighter, smaller, simpler and cheaper than Parkers
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 6:17 pm
by vaturkey
fox-admin wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 4:53 pm
DarylC wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 3:43 pm
MC1952 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm
IMG_2499.jpeg
Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me. A 20ga Sterly and NID field (I'm not a Ithaca guy) are the best values in the world of vintage SxS 20ga guns. I'm not a small bore guy but I'm tempted just because. Tom T remember I'm all ears if you want to sell me your 20ga 30" Sterly. Fox small bores are lighter, smaller, simpler and cheaper than Parkers
They are amazing swinging petite guns. I shot mine last year at the mini Bo Whoop event at the NE SXS. Love it. They have a great feel to them.
PS. I had a NIB Jostam No Kick recoil pad added, but kept the original buttplate and the stock was not touched. That gives me 14.5" LOP. Weight is 5 lb 15 oz on the digital scale. Don't believe there was ever a Parker 20 gauge with 30 inch tubes made that will hit that weight.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:37 am
by eightbore
My 20 Sterlingworth weighs 5 pounds, 11 ounces. It would be my choice for long or rough hunts.
Re: Which one would it be???
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:27 am
by ROMAC
When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me
SHHHHHHHH!
I'd rather the world keep their mits off my Foxes!