Just Right - 20b Fox Sterly Straight Grip

Cold Spring · 11-23-2023, 09:52 AM

I hunted with a friend yesterday in the NE PA mountains, we raised three grouse, shot at two and my Sterly 20b did the trick on this one. She's an early Fox (1913) with 28" tubes, opened to 2-3/4" and choked Mod and I-Mod, just just about right for my bird hunting. I don't know who did the straight grip/long trigger guard tang restock and conversion but she sure has the classic Fox look. 2-1/4" drop and weight 6-1. She's been a lucky gun for me with 24 grouse and many pheasants to her credit, just about all of them in walk-up hunting.

Just to show what can be done without getting into an over the top Fox Sterly smallbore upgrade.

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Double Lab · 11-23-2023, 09:56 AM

She's sure a winner Frank. You really can't beat a smallbore Fox doing what they do best.

Cold Spring · 11-23-2023, 10:15 AM

Thanks Daryl, you reminded me that she also cleaned your Baby Whoop event at the 2022 NE SxS at Hausmann's.... 10 ex 10.

Double Lab · 11-23-2023, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Srebro

Thanks Daryl, you reminded me that she also cleaned your Baby Whoop event at the 2022 NE SxS at Hausmann's.... 10 ex 10.

I do remember Frank. Congrats again.

Can you do it two years in a row?.

I've got on order some whoop-a** targets that should be here in plenty of time for Ernie's.

Stan Hillis · 11-23-2023, 11:31 AM

I love the look of that gun, Frank. Having a great 28" 20 bore SWE myself, that I've had opened to 2 3/4' and .006" and .016'", I know how we can grow fond of a bird gun.

For a conversion to straight grip that one is nice!

Reggie B · 11-23-2023, 11:50 AM

Thanks for posting your adventures Frank!

James L. Martin · 11-23-2023, 02:37 PM

Frank, nice gun and bird. Glad you are finding birds.

Cold Spring · 11-23-2023, 03:06 PM

Thanks all. I’m finding only a few birds, third year in a row. Various theories abound why that is, but believe me it's not a lack of good cover. Pre-season scouting for food is key when hunting these mountains. Last few years it was bittersweet berries but the vines don’t have any fruit this season. We’ve been hunting the edges of wintergreen patches and where wild grapes are still on the vines.

Brett Farley · 01-07-2024, 08:25 AM

That is a great looking Sterlingworth! Whoever did the stock work did a nice job with a pretty piece of wood, just about perfect for that gun!!