Full Length Tubes

[Jay Oliver]

I have never shot a gun with sub gauge tubes in it and to be honest I never thought I would like it.

However...I just picked up a 16ga DHE 30" Damascus with 28 gauge Briley full length tubes in it. The barrels have a few dents and likely have low wall thickness(which I had measured today). Here is the gun: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/975272749

I shot sporting clays today with the 28ga tubes and loved every second. The tubes add 6-8 ounces so you have a heavy field gun, but a great clays gun. I had skeet in the right barrel and mod in the left. I didn't miss much.

I am going to confirm wall thickness at the Southern, but will likely always shoot the original barrels with tubes and be on the lookout for another set of barrels.

I think the tubes add a whole new dimension. In fact I think I would shoot a few of my 10 gauge hammer guns more if they had 16ga tubes. It didn't take me long to become a fan...

[J. Scott Hanes]

Thanks for all the advice. I did not know about needing to be 2 gauges different but had not really researched the subject. At the price of the 28 ga ammo, selling them may be more practical, but I would only use the setup for hunting anyway. I am not a skeet guy!

[MaggieMollie]

Either tube set is fine. I have both brands for skeet (Kolar in a Remington 3200 and Brilley in a Perazzi MX3). Personally I like Kolar but they are both superb tubes and you can't go wrong with either brand.

From my experience and your last post, tubing for hunting will make a barrel heavy gun. In my skeet guns, which are heavier that a 20g SxS, I actually added about 6oz of weight inside the stock to balance the gun better. Makes a heavier gun but it balances well.

Lastly, for whatever reason, in both sets of tubes I have, the 28g tubes throw the best pattern and consistently have the best smashes. If I hadn't to shoot 1 gauge, 28g would be it.

[J. Scott Hanes]

Kinda the reason I was contemplating the 28ga tubes. Maybe I will look for a 16 ga to add to the addiction! I understand the weight issue for field use, but that is why I go to the gym!

[Spin Drift]

I put 20 ga Kolar tubes in a '89 BH damascus 12. Other than the low shooting dimensions it does great at clays and scares the hell out of the other shooters shooting that dangerous damascus.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Briley offers the option of the lightweight tubes instead of standard weight. The lightweight are maybe 4-6 oz lighter. For clays I went with standard weight tubes. There is an upcharge for the LW tubes. I don't remember exactly what it is but $150 seems to stick in my craw.

[6pt-Sika]

If and it’s a mighty big “if” , if you could find some gauge mate 20 to 28 chamber inserts that would be the easiest lightest etc way to go .

[6pt-Sika]

You also could talk to Lou Rotelli he might be able to make you a set or two of 20 to 28 chamber inserts .