Any feedback on Briley Tube Sets?

[sandiego67]

If I understand correctly, you can insert these into your 12 gauge barrels to covert it to other gauges.

Has anyone tried them? If so, do they work?

If I have a Beretta 686 12 gauge and wanted to shoot 20 gauge every once in a while, is this a reasonable alternative to buying a whole different gun?

http://www.briley.com/c-238-tube-sets-and-tube-set-accessories.aspx

[Thefeeder]

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They make a very good product. Many a people/ competitors use and like them. One thing you should know is that the tubes are made for target loads and not for field or 3" loads. Now we are talking the full length tubes.....I have not heard any news on the short tubes

Cost is relative...so its your call

[Revoman]

I have and shoot Briley full length tubes regularly and have nothing but praise for an excellent product.
As Thefeeder indicated, they are for target loads, and they sometimes have issues with steel base rounds (I reload all brass base so no issue).
If there is any problem, which are usually minor and only one of my shooting friends has had an issue with a small piece breaking off at the breech, he called them and they covered the problem even though those tubes are at least 15 years old (mine were purchased in 2005 by the way and have close to 30K alternating, rarely use 20 tubes though).
I shoot skeet most every month now (Camp Pendleton) and switch between 28 and 410 alternating months. My tubes still look like new. I used to shoot every week, but the local range shut down, bummer.
Also, if you buy the tubes, they are usually set up for skeet, so if you wish to shoot other games you will need to let them know that, although if you don't like the screw in chokes provided, you can ship them back for exchange without a fee other than shipping.
Briley as excellent all around. Kolar from what I gather is also a great company with great tubes, but I cannot verify that as I have only shot, own and use Briley.
They have a couple of different sets, one is generic and will fit most shotguns, the other is built specifically for you shotgun. They come in aluminum and titanium, both are a bit pricey but worth it IMO. Aluminum are I'm guessing in the $1300 neighborhood and titanium probably $1800.
They have a good line of chokes available as well, both for their tubes and most any shotgun out there in all gauges.

[dirtclod]

I cannot imagine that full hunting loads would be an issue except for with 20 gauge tubes as the smaller gauges have plenty of meat in the chamber area. These are the preferred modern method for shooting all four skeet gauges but they do add about a pound to the gun. Superior product, no issues at all with mine.

[ysr_racer]

See if you can find a used set of Seminole Chambermates. Way less money, and mine work just fine.

[ceh383]

When it comes to tube sets, you have options, what to get depends on your skill level and your expectations.
The Chambermates mentioned will be ok for the average shooter, but I wouldn't go more than 1 step down, IE: 20ga in a 12ga gun.
Generic full length tubes will perform well enough for most shooters, with these you can get good results all the way down to .410 in a 12ga gun.
Then you have fitted tubes, these are made to fit YOUR GUN, and will deliver the best possible results. With fitted tubes, you still have options to work with...Aluminum, Titanium, smooth, straight rifling...etc.
Personally, I have Briley Ultimate Ultralites and like them very much...But you are close to 2k for the fitted set...

[sandiego67]

When it comes to tube sets, you have options, what to get depends on your skill level and your expectations.
The Chambermates mentioned will be ok for the average shooter, but I wouldn't go more than 1 step down, IE: 20ga in a 12ga gun.
Generic full length tubes will perform well enough for most shooters, with these you can get good results all the way down to .410 in a 12ga gun.
Then you have fitted tubes, these are made to fit YOUR GUN, and will deliver the best possible results. With fitted tubes, you still have options to work with...Aluminum, Titanium, smooth, straight rifling...etc.
Personally, I have Briley Ultimate Ultralites and like them very much...But you are close to 2k for the fitted set...

Good info. Thanks.

[ysr_racer]

If I have a Beretta 686 12 gauge and wanted to shoot 20 gauge every once in a while, is this a reasonable alternative to buying a whole different gun?

Briley tubes are the gold standard. Unless you're a hard core skeet shooter that regularly competes in NSSA events, I wouldn't spend the money.

As I said, chamber mates work just fine, and I shoot them in NSCA events all the time.

[sandiego67]

Briley tubes are the gold standard. Unless you're a hard core skeet shooter that competes in NSSA events, I wouldn't spend the money.

As I said, chamber mates work just fine, and I shoot them in NSCA events all the time.

Those seem like they would be fine for me but it doesn't appear that they make them anymore. Was there a disagreement between partners?

http://www.chambermates.com/

I will keep an eye out for a used set.

[ysr_racer]

Husband and wife

[Chubs T]

Kolar from what I gather is also a great company with great tubes, but I cannot verify that as I have only shot, own and use Briley.

Thirty years later, one of my Kolar 20 gauge tube cracks so I send it back to get it fixed and they send a replacement tube free of charge. I also asked to have them install nylon buttons to tighten them up a bit and it cost just about $200. These tubes must have over 75,000 registered targets in them.

My newer Briley's, custom fitted in 2012, have about 2,500 in in each and 28's and 410 are already loose.

[bjl333]

I have both Briley and Kolar tubes and they're great! Contrary to popular believes these subgauge tubes can be had with screw in chokes to shoot whatever you desire. My suggestion would be the Ultralights but you'll need your gun to have the inertia triggers worked on for the 410. Go to Briley's page for details. They are lifetime warrantied so your grandkids can shoot them.

[ceh383]

The Briley version of Chambermates...

[ysr_racer]

OP, you can see the guys with full length tubes are hard core skeeters. If you're not, there are cheaper alternatives.

[sandiego67]

OP, you can see the guys with full length tubes are hard core skeeters. If you're not, there are cheaper alternatives.

Yeah, I see that.

I may go the cheaper route.

I also want to try some of the tubes that allow you to shoot 9mm and 22lr but I haven't seen them for an O/U. They mostly work on single shot guns.