Fox Collectors

I was wondering if anyone has used a fox sterlingworth for Turkey hunting and what loads would be safe to use in My sterlingworth. It is a 12ga with 28" barrels I would appreciate any information that anyone could provide.

thanks.

Turkey hunting requires the tightest patterns possible to get the maximum number of strikes in the relatively small head and neck area. Since it seems that all shotgun barrels seem to prefer different loads for maximum pattern density on target I would recommend that you pattern several loads and choose the one that produces the tightest pattern. As far as safe loads go Fox guns are pretty stout and can handle pretty stiff loads, however, I would recommend nothing heavier than one and one quarter ounce loads at 1200 fps to save wear and tear on your gun as well as your shoulder and it has been my experience that slower loads pattern better than ultra hot loads in my guns. Shot sizes is a matter of preference, some hunters prefer smaller shot sizes (#6s & #7s) for maximum hits while others swear by larger shot sizes (#2s and #4s) for maximum penetration.

Thanks for the information it really helped what I was basically wondering is if the Fox could handle the modern Turkey loads.

TheNakedGun wrote:Thanks for the information it really helped what I was basically wondering is if the Fox could handle the modern Turkey loads.

I'd think a modern 2 3/4" 1.5 oz turkey load might be hard on a sterlingworth unless it was the heavier made Superfox clone. I had a 2 frame Parker 12 gauge restored with the original wood which included glass bedding the buttstock to the receiver. Restorer was Bill Schwarz in Ga. Bill's proof loads were 2 3/4" Winchester Turkey loads. I asked him if he recommended shooting those on a regular basis and he said "Hell no", that's why he called them his proof loads. I'd think sticking with the 1 1/4 oz loads would be the prudent thing to do, as I believe (perhaps incorrectly) a Parker on a 2 frame is stronger then a Fox Sterlingworth (except the one built on the Super Fox frame).

I have some 12 ga 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz #6 shot I am going to try in it and see how they pattern.