Sterling X-Caliber at IHMSA match

[cmnash]

Saturday August 26 I traveled to Lincolnton Ga to shoot in an IHMSA match at Little River Gun Club. This was my second visit. I am not a member of IHMSA but use the matches as practice session for my hunting handguns. My previous visit I used a scoped TC in 30/30 to shoot a UAS entry. This time I tried something more challenging and more in line with the roots of IHMSA.
I am an accumulator of single shot pistols. I purchased this Sterling X-Caliber in 44 Mag late in 2015 from an online auction. I had never seen or handled one in person prior to buying this one. It was in like new condition and appeared to have been shot very little After shooting this one off and on and carrying it hunting several times( including missing a very important shot in the field), I decided we just didn't get along...
I don't keep any safe queens, so I was thinking that perhaps silhouette shooting was this guns calling in life. It does have silhouettes on the box after all.
I shot and set my 50, 100, and 150 meter settings but my home range only goes to 180 yards so my 200 meter sight setting would have to be swagged.
Let me preface this by saying this was my first time shooting Big Bore Production so the results may not be a reflection of the guns potential. I used 4 of my 5 sighters to confirm my point of impact on the rams. The first shot sailed high but the next three connected. My guess was a good one. Shooting for score next, all the chickens fell! But...then the shooters form failed and only 2 pigs fell. Working out the kinks, and refining my holds I dropped 5 turkeys and 4 rams for a final tally of 21. I felt I had learned some and could better my score. I shot a reentry and got 10 chickens, 8 pigs, 5 turkeys, and 5 rams for a score of 28. I had trouble controlling the vertical POI, which I blame on the front sight that I feel needs to be sharper and blacker. The heavy trigger doesn't help either.
During the course of fire the grip cracked and chipped which seems to be a common occurance. This afternoon I repaired the grip, then carefully cleaned and oiled the gun to be placed in the back of the safe for an unknown amount of time.
Perhaps someone here knows more about the X- Caliber and its use in IHMSA and can elaborate?

[jsh]

I think we both may have been chasing that one. I bid on one several years back, but it seemed like it was a 357.
As to IHMSA, I saw a few of these for sale at my old local haunts when I was shooting about every weekend. Funny I saw them for sale but never saw one on the line in a match.
I always thought they were a good looking rig.
David or Dick way be along and have some input.
Jeff

[Ken O'Neill]

I never saw one shot in a match, and I was pretty active in IHMSA from 1978 until the mid-90's, as a competitor, Match Director, and State Director. They never achieved much penetration or acceptance in this area, for whatever the reason.

[bradshaw]

cmnash.... do not recall seeing Sterling at an IHMSA match. And do not recall holding one in my hands. On appearance, it copies the tip-open concept of Warren Center’s T/C Contender. The hammer looks massive; if so, not conducive to fast lock time and mechanical accuracy. The heavy trigger you report is not surprising. No ambitious silhouetter tolerates a lousy trigger. Warren Center esteemed sharpshooting, emphatically to include silhouette. Without his fine trigger, the T/C Contender would not have permeated steel shooting, not taken so many to the winner’s circle.

Is the pistol unlocked via a pull on the front of the trigger guard? If so, how much force? The grip shares the low bore axis of the T/C. A low bore axis delivers the recoil of a .44 Mag with low bore axis straight to the base of the thumb. Especially via wood grips.

Looks like you shot well. It is not easy to go in cold with an unknown pistol. More dope on the gun’s handling----loading, squeeze & follow though, unlocking, extraction----may interest forum members. You have my thanks,
David Bradshaw

[cmnash]

Thanks for the replies. I figured Mr. Bradshaw would be the man to ask. If this was to be Sterlings only shot at greatness, I wish I could have shot it better.
I bought the gun under the impression it was an imitation Contender. The internet would lead one to believe that the X-Caliber was a product of desperation, a last attempt by a dying Sterling gun company. While the Contender and silhouette shooters may have been the target, the X-caliber is its own unique gun. I don't know any more about the history of Sterling or the X-Caliber than a web search will find. I can only speak of my example.
Everyone, myself included, is struck by the beauty of the bluing and figure of the wood when they first see it in person. The gun certainly doesn't feel cheap. The octagon barrel is larger and heavier than TCs octagon barrel making the Sterling slightly more muzzle heavy. The gun locks via a crossbolt operated by a thumb button on the left side. Lockup is tight, maybe not as tight as my Contenders. That oversize hammer is powered by a strut and coil spring located under the grip. The trigger is heavy with slight takeup and a good bit of over travel associated with the transfer bar. The gun has two breech mounted firing pins to allow rimfire or centerfire. I honestly don't know how to switch them, but I suspect it has something to do with the plunger located on the left side of the frame alongside the pins. The front sight is thin enough, but its radiused edges and bright finish are a hindrance to accuracy. Each click on the rear sight causes a large movement and I found myself needing to stop the sight between clicks.
Recoil is brisk with full power loads but less than an equally equipped Contender due to the Sterlings heavier barrel. I honestly want to shoot the gun and enjoy the gun. The gun wants to shoot, but we just don't quite get along. The trigger and sights leave it in a second class to the Contender which I prefer.

[cmnash]

Too update, and add to this thread, I took the Sterling to Wilderness Hunting Preserve yesterday and shot this hog with it. I have never found a photo of an X-caliber actually used to hunt. The Federal 240 JHP was decisive to say the least.

[contender]

I saw a Sterling long ago,, at a gun show. As I was already a Contender fan,, I recall thinking; "Someone's trying to cash in on T/C's success." I passed,, as I already had my Contenders. Never shot one or knew anybody who had.

It's a nice looking gun,, and maybe with a bit of work,, could be an equal to a Contender. But finding someone with knowledge to work on it's action would likely be hard!

And KUDOS on killing a hog with it!

[leftysixgun]

CMNash, nice hog there! Was the hunt at the Handgun Hunter Challenge this past weekend in TN?

[cmnash]

Yes, this hog was shot at the Handgun Hunters Challenge. It was my first time attending an HHC or hunting at Wilderness. I was only able to be there for one day, but very much enjoyed meeting some other handgun hunting enthusiasts and burning some powder.

[gunner7243]

Hi I'm new to the forum. I just picked up Sterling x calibur In 44 Magnum and wondering if anybody would have a manual for it
Thanks

[dobegrant]

Nice looking pistol and hog

[cplfreezer]

Jan 30, 2023 14:31:30 GMT -5 gunner7243 said:

Hi I'm new to the forum. I just picked up Sterling x calibur In 44 Magnum and wondering if anybody would have a manual for it
Thanks

I have a pdf of the manual but it is too big to upload here. 1448 kb.

[hairy]

I am getting old and forgetful at times, but, I am remembering incorrectly? Didn't Ithaca acquire the design and build them at one point in time or was that a different design?

[gunner7243]

Just picked up a 357 magnum and was thinking of rechambering it to 357 maximum what do you all think of rechambering to a 357 maximum

[pacecars]

Mar 9, 2023 16:18:22 GMT -5 hairy said:

I am getting old and forgetful at times, but, I am remembering incorrectly? Didn't Ithaca acquire the design and build them at one point in time or was that a different design?

www.gunsamerica.com/931816354/Ithaca-X-Caliber-NIB.htm