SUBGAUGETUBES
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BRILEY SUB GAUGE TUBE SETS
MACHINING EXCELLENCE BY DANA FARRELL
W
ith the NSCA’s recent adoption of a separate sub-gauge classification system, the time is ripe to consider the options available for participating in small gauge events. A separate NSCA sub-gauge classification system will likely accomplish two things: it should put an end to the complaints about shooters reaching Master class via sub-gauge punches, and it will create a way for dedicated subgauge afficionados to truly measure their talent against other likeminded shooters. Sub-gauge sporting clays has been around for a long time, but CLAYSHOOTINGUSA
these days sub-gaugers have another reason to pack their small gauge gear when attending larger shoots: sub-gauge FITASC. The advent of registered sub-gauge FITASC back in 2011 advanced the interest of small gauge shooting in a big way, with many shooters now calling it their favorite event. This phenomenon, coupled with the influx of new shooters each year, warrants a sub-gauge equipment discussion. Briley Manufacturing, of Houston, Texas, is at the forefront of all things related to shotgun machining. In this issue we will be looking at Briley’s line of tube sets.
A Little History Before sporting clays made its way to the U.S., registered skeet shooters were shooting small gauge guns routinely in competition. Back in the day, dedicated guns or barrel sets were the only two available options. “An early manufacturer made entirely aluminum tube sets that required the changing out of the host barrels’ ejectors every time the tubes were used,” which was complicated and problematic, according to John Barnes, Briley Vice President of Operations. Along came the oh-so talented
Jess Briley, a sub-gauge tube pioneer, who began handcrafting tube sets in his home garage back in the early 1970s. The late Mr. Briley took the then-novel tube set idea and furthered it by installing integral extractors that worked in combination with the ejectors of the host barrel. This was a gamechanger and made things much less complicated, bringing subgauge tubes into the clay shooting mainstream. Back in the day, the original Briley tube sets weighed almost two pounds per pair for a 28 inch barrel gun, but thanks to modern machining and aircraft grade
