New member with a Fox Sterlingworth

[vaturkey]

Were these made with mild steel? Everyone says to only use soft target liads.
The reason I ask if that I used to collect and shoot old milsurp rifles. My favorites were old Swedish M96 Mausers. Some of those were older than this shotgun and were safe as long as the headspace was still good.
I don't want to use high brass heavy loads in this but why only light target liads? It seems to be a well made strong firearm. If it was made with mild steel or not properly heat treated like some early '03 Springfield rifles it would make sense.

No mild steel. I think the reason most us gravitate to lighter loads is because of old wood. Usually somewhat oil soaked and sometimes a tad brittle. Firing heavy loads can mess up old wood really quick. Also the lighter loads are easier on the locking mechanism and that can wear over time. Using lighter loads just makes sense in these older guns IMO.

[pepperbelly]

That makes sense. I wasn't thinking about the wood.

[Deetsman]

My concern with using the high pressure/high velocity heavier loads would be the stress they would put on the 100+ year old oil soaked wood and not so much the metal. I have refinished several stocks on these older guns and have spent days getting the oil out of the wood near the receiver. The oil will cause the wood to deteriorate and you have to stabilize the wood with a type of Cyanoacrylate adhesive (Super Glue) before glass bedding the wood to the receiver. Even after glass bedding I still use the low pressure light loads in hopes of passing the gun to the next custodian in good condition.

[Deetsman]

Sorry vaturkey. I did not make it to the second page of replies before I posted my concerns of shooting the heavy loads. I agree with you completely.