Itching for a 16 gauge

[Kevin McCormack]

Start looking for a 16 ga. AH Fox Sterlingworth grade or higher. They are very sweet handling guns; like the M21 and a few other makes, the same frames were used for 16s and 20s alike. They are still a lot of gun for the money but their popularity is increasing rapidly. You are looking for a good combo of chokes and barrel lengths and they are out there at roughly half the price of a Parker for a non-ejector gun, especially an 0-frame Parker. Be aware that a lot of them (Foxes especially) in the early guns (c. 1905-1920) have a LOT of drop at the heel; not so much at the comb. If you can shoot up to a 1 5/8 - 1 3/4 drop at comb stock, you can get by unless DAH is pushing 4+ inches (not unheard of in the earliest guns! With M&F chokes, you can go to spreader loads and open up roughly one degree of choke per barrel, and effectively shoot IC&M, etc. I tried RST's spreader loads in my 16 ga. A grade with 28" M&F barrels on grouse, and it was murder! Also a joy to carry all day in the heavy brush. Philly guns are most desireable, but don't pass up the early (c. 1930-35) Utica Foxes. Come by our tables (B 4&5) at Baltimore next weekend and we will 'Fox' you out.