Fox Collectors

I am currently using 2 3/4 shells in my 2 5/8 gun. Will rechambering a 20 gauge Sterly to 2 3/4 help with the arthritic trigger finger pain when shooting this nice little bird gun? I am not all that concerned with having an "original" Sterly. The other question is; do the Utica guns shoot harder than the Philly guns because of the Savage design?

Your 20 gauge is likely 2-1/2", not 2-5/8" as it might be if a 12 gauge. Personally I wouldn't be shooting factory 2-3/4" shells in a 20 that's 1/4" short. What do you mean by shooting harder? Silvers

I am using a chamber gauge from Galazan's with machined grooves on it for 2 3/4" and 3" shells. I measured and scribed various shell size indications on the gauge. Dropping the gauge into the chamber the mark scribed for 2 5/8 is at the end of the chamber where the hull base would be.

Shooting "hard" is my description of the effect on my arthritic trigger finger. I am wondering if shooting the 2 3/4" case is the genesis of the vibration felt in the finger. And, since we get smarter as we get older, a change to a low pressure 20 gauge load may also be a solution. Thanks for getting back to me.

plenty of short and low pressure shells available on the internet.... http://www.bandpusa.com/ or http://www.westleyrichards.com/gun/ammo_intro.html or http://www.rstshells.com/

I have a 1920-vintage AE-Grade that letters "chamber for 2 3/4 inch shells" and just like 12-gauge guns its chambers are actually 2 5/8 inches long.

I'm pretty convinced that the A.H. Fox Gun Co. had, like Parker Bros., the policy of holding chambers 1/8 inch shorter then the intended shell.

Doggai, what is the "Savage design"?...I am not familiar with that?