BRILEY SUB GAUGE TUBE SETS

MACHINING EXCELLENCE BY DANA FARRELL

With 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 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

materials today’s 32 inch tubes weigh significantly less than that— less than one pound per pair. The chambers on contemporary Briley tube sets are all either stainless steel or titanium, depending upon the model, and in contrast to earlier tube sets, full length modern Briley tube sets now feature screw-in choke tubes.

Many Options Available

The advent of tube sets made it much more affordable versus using dedicated barrel sets — and certainly more affordable than purchasing dedicated guns for each gauge.

“The scores all just skyrocketed” according to John Barnes. “Barrel sets are fun, especially if you’re a gear junkie” he said. “There’s nothing cooler than a set of 32 inch .410 barrels. But, if you’re really trying to shoot well, a tube set can be a very good route to go.”

Briley’s tube sets come in many variations. There are “drop-in” tubes that will work in just about any break action gun and there are tube sets that are custom fitted by Briley to a specific firearm. We’ll start by covering the drop-in varieties.

Drop-In Tube Sets

The little brother in the Briley subgauge tube system is the Side-Kick 2.0. At around 12 inches long, the Side-Kicks are a one-size-fits-all, drop-in fit product. They provide a good entry into the world of subgauge tubes, with the drawback that they don’t allow control over the choke, since the shot charge leaves the Side-Kick tube and opens up into the larger 12 gauge barrel. Some people have had luck using a tight 12 gauge choke, but Mr. Barnes says this doesn’t have a significant effect on the pattern the way a true, designated choke system does.

Side-Kicks are generally considered effective out to around 30-35 yards, which is about the longest targets seen in most subgauge competition. “They’re easy to carry, light, and not too expensive” says Mr. Barnes, and “a great start for many shooters who want to get into sub-gauge.”

Side-Kicks can also be upgraded later to a set of full length Briley Companion tubes, complete with a screw-in choke system. To accomplish the conversion, Briley reuses the Side-Kick chambers and changes out the tubes to full length aluminum. A three gauge, full set of Side-Kick 2.0 tubes (20G, 28G and .410) retails for $799.

The next step up, both in terms of performance and price point, is the Briley Companion Drop-In tube sets. Companions are made to be just shy in length of the host barrel, to accommodate the varying barrel lengths of different

manufacturers. A little known fact is that some Italian guns are “… in reality a little shorter than what they are marketed as,” says Barnes. For instance, some Italian “30 inch” guns are in fact only 29 ½ inches long. Making the drop-in tubes around a half-inch shorter ensures they can be used in most manufacturer’s products, and in fact makes it possible to use them in multiple guns.

Drop in tube sets (both SideKick and Companion models) feature a nylon block, milled into the side of the chamber to help snug the tube up in the chamber, making it

possible to use in various chamber sizes. They are made ever so slightly undersized to accommodate the various bore sizes of different guns. Drop-in tubes shoot just as well as the more expensive fitted tubes, but because they’re just a shade undersize, they can make a little bit of noise when closing the gun. Barnes says putting a tighter choke in the end of the host barrel will often reduce that rattle.

COMPANION TUBE SETS ARE FULL-LENGTH AND ARE CHANGEABLE FROM GUN TO GUN SIDE-KICKS 2.0 ARE A GREAT ENTRY INTO SUB-GAUGE TUBES

Companion Drop-In tube sets come in both standard weight and UltraLite versions, the latter shaving off a few ounces of weight. They come with one flush mount choke tube of your choice each. Extra chokes and/or choke upgrades are available ala carte. Complete (three gauge) standard weight Companion sets run $1,695. A full set of UltraLite tubes go for $1,850.

Fitted Tube Sets

The crème de la crème of Briley sub-gauge tubes are the fitted tube sets. Like the Companion drop-in tubes, they come in both standard weight and UltraLite versions and feature integral screw-in chokes. Fitted tube sets require sending Briley your barrels, and once custom made to your barrels, are only usable in the original gun they are crafted for. Fitted tube sets typically add around 10 to 12 ounces to the weight of the gun, but many opt for the carrier barrel option, which effectively matches the weight to that of the host gun’s 12 gauge set-up, but adds the extra cost of the carrier barrel.

Carrier barrels are fashioned out of an extra set of 12 gauge barrels and are made expressly for the purpose of using in combination with sub-gauge tube sets. The process of creating a carrier barrel set involves back boring to an extreme degree to fit the added tube sets, while strategically matching the weight of the carrier barrel/tube set combination to the 12 gauge barrel set. The finished carrier barrel/ tube set ends up being very close in weight to the 12 gauge barrel — usually within a couple of ounces. Using a carrier barrel set-up makes it very seamless when switching gauges from a gun balance/weight standpoint, providing the ultimate small gauge tube set scenario. Once converted to carrier barrels, they are no longer usable for 12 gauge, and in fact Briley installs a set of pins in the chamber area, making it impossible to load a 12 gauge shell. Converting a customer provided 12 gauge barrel set to carriers is a service Briley offers for $595.

When buying a fitted tube set, the price includes four flush chokes of your choice, or upgrade to extended chokes for $30/choke. Briley’s top of the line fitted tube offering is called the Ultimate UltraLite Conversion, which features straight-rifled full length tubes in all three gauges. The straight rifling provides better patterning at longer distances. The Ultimate UltraLite Conversion kit sells for $1,995.

ALL BRILEY FULL LENGTH TUBES ARE AVAILABLE IN STANDARD OR ULTRALITE VERSIONS

Custom Requests

In addition to 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 drop-in tubes (Sidekicks and Companion) for 12 gauge guns, .410 tubes are available for 20 gauge guns, and 28 gauge fitted tubes can be made for 20 gauge guns. Something that is rarely requested, but possible, is to fit a set of .410 tubes to a 28 gauge gun. Trigger conversions are necessary for those guns having inertia triggers when using .410 tube sets — a service costing between $140 to $195, depending upon the gun. n

You can see Briley’s full array of products and services at www.Briley.com