Sub gauge tubes

[bob weeman]

I am thinking of getting a set of briley sidekicks to shoot 20 gauge in my Parker and Remingington 12's. Since these are very short I am wondering if the jump from a 20 chamber to a 12 barrel reduces the pressure with anysignificance. If so it seems I could shoot regular 20 gauge field loads and not need to use RST's. Thoughts? Tried to find the answer in the archives but found nothing specific to this. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[John Hancock]

Call Briley, several years ago I did and a guy there was happy to talk to me about your question. I won't go into what he said, but will tell you that I did what you want to do and haven't thought twice about what shells I use in that gun. One word, the Parker I use them in had chambers too short for the tubes, gun isn't all that clean so just lengthened the chambers to full 2.750 so the tubes would fit. Have shot it a lot.

[Bruce Day]

Why do you feel you need to use RST shells and not standard 7/8oz 20 ga loads?

[Bill Murphy]

I'm with Bruce. There is no way to blow up a 12 gauge gun with 20 gauge Briley Sidekicks in the chambers. Shoot anything that fits within normal low velocity limits.

[bob weeman]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. It made sense to me that it should be ok to shoot standard shells but was looking for verification from those with experience. Thanks again gentlemen and enjoy your evening :)

[CraigThompson]

I've shot the Briley shorties in O/U and SxS guns in 20 , 28 and 410 . Only thing I noticed was the 410's seemed to be louder using the shorty tubes . And I shot regular old factory AA or STS loads in all three gauges with no problems !

[bob weeman]

One important piece I forgot to mention and thought I did was both are damascus. I shoot both regularly and they are in good condition.,

[Bruce Day]

Have you considered just shooting 12 ga shells from your guns instead of trying to make a 20 ga out of it?

You could shoot the 1 1/8 oz 3 dram loads the guns were designed for or hand load or buy down to 7/8oz 2 1/2 dram loads, which is a 20 ga standard load. But I know some people like to put in sub gauge tubes in their guns I suppose because they like to use one gun for everything.

John Havard here was selling what seems to be a nice V 20 in the sale section. If a person wants to shoot 20 ga loads buying a 20ga gun might be a good idea.

[Mills Morrison]

Don't ruin a good excuse to buy another gun.

[CraigThompson]

One important piece I forgot to mention and thought I did was both are damascus. I shoot both regularly and they are in good condition.,

Friend I usually reload for all my shotguns . And of the guns I load for and regularly shoot over half are Damascus . Although mostly 10 , 12 and 16 . But I load what I would call regular to light loads and use them in Damascus and fluid steel barrels , it cuts down on the chance of using the wrong thing in the wrong gun . And that's certainly not to say my Damascus loads are to weak for live game . As my 10 , 12 and 16 loads have killed deer in the past and hopefully in the very near future .

[bob weeman]

Thank you all for the information. I do currently shoot both guns in their chambered gauges with RST's. Reloading is something I would like to get into when time permits. I reload for all my rifles and pistols but never for shotgun. Someday soon though. The Briley sidekicks should be fun though and not change the balance of the gun by very much. Good shooting to you all....