Fox Collectors

I hunted this afternoon out in the mountains near the cabin. It was a last minute decision and I was alone; there's no cell coverage in most areas so I stuck to the old coal mining roads. No brush busting or walking the ledges today. Food is scattered this year and I hunted two covers near some old house foundations that are a remnant of the mining days. There's a few surviving apple trees there but the whole area is growing over with mountain laurel. I heard two different grouse drumming, also had three flushes. One was too far, one was iffy and I didn't shoot, and the last flush yielded this oven stuffer. One of the largest grouse I've ever taken here in PA.

The Fox is a 1921 Sterlie Brush Ejector gun, 12-gauge, 26 inch tubes that are factory choked Fox-cylinder and Modified. For those not familiar with Fox-cylinder choke it's about 5-8 thousands constriction in 12-gauge. This Fox measures .006" and .021" - a really nice choke combo. Shell was a Federal paper reload with fiber wads and folded crimp, 1-ounce of 7-1/2 shot over "PB" powder. One shot with the right barrel at about 30 yards, did the trick. I love those Sterlingworth Ejector guns. And I'm 14 again whenever I drop two papers into the chambers.

This is an iPhone pic. Sorry, the quality isn't the best.

Very nice bird Frank. Nice to see that Brush model still getting it done. Glad to hear you're still find grouse in your area as well.

Nicely done!!

I'm still pretty excited over this bird. Pic of its fan taken today, overlayed on the largest fan I have on the wall right now. Those are loaded Federal papers end-to-end in the pic. Frank



Just a soapbox comment here fwiw. I found out long ago that the old timers were right on guns for walk up hunting where you have little chance for deliberately cheeking the gun as in clays shooting. These Brush Sterlingworths were stocked with 3" drop @ heel and something like 1-11/16" at the comb. Just right to my thinking, and with usefulness that's little understood by many modern hunters. Member reminder: be sure to read the excellent Sterlingworth article by Dave in the current Fall Newsletter. Silvers

I don't know, Frank. That cell phone photo looks great to me.
Jim

Frank: I true trophy----thanks for posting the great picture. Craig

Nice grouse Frank, What is the measurement across the tail feathers when fully spread ? I've heard of the fabled 16" spread, but the largest I ever measured was 15 1/4".
Dave T.

Beautiful grouse. Bobby

x

You got me beat Dave. Fan measures a hair over 15" across, with the end feathers at 180-degrees. Alan, we had the breast last night, sliced in strips and sauteed in butter & diced onions as per "the cabin SOP". Meat was excellent and not tough at all. Now being retired, we'll be looking for pics of your Foxy adventures. I should be out again on Monday with a friend along this time. Maybe the Red Gods will smile again.

Well done Frank!! Beautiful gun and a gorgeous bird! How about some of those FFFg shells for grouse?

That grouse is a Pig. Amazing how every once and a while you find a bird that is the equivalent of a football player pumped up on steroids. Combination of genetics and amazing groceries. Congrats.

PS. I've found for whatever reason the red/brown phase birds are larger then the grey phase birds. Well at least it seems that way to me.

Cell phone pic or not that is a wonderful photo.

tjw