Should I get a set of sub gauge tubes?

C

Cardamonfrost

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Hi All,

I am shooting skeet about once a week and liking it a great deal. I have a Franchi Instinct L and would really like to get the same gun in 20g. However, it would actually be a bit less to buy a set of the Briley tubes (?)..

Can they be purchased used?

Do those that own them think they are a good idea?

With thanks,
C
 
If you actually want to compete at skeet, then get a full set of sub gauge tubes. If you just want a 20 gauge gun, that you also might hunt with, then get a 20 gauge gun, as it will be much lighter to carry while hunting.
 
Try someone's gun with tubes before you buy. Your Franchi with tubes will not feel anything like it feels without. I have never tried a matched weight carrier barrel set, but a tubed O/U takes some getting used to and I do not care for the feel.
 
stubblejumper said:
If you actually want to compete at skeet, then get a full set of sub gauge tubes. If you just want a 20 gauge gun, that you also might hunt with, then get a 20 gauge gun, as it will be much lighter to carry while hunting.
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Thank you. I'm not interested in being super competitive, and the idea of having a 20 for hunting is something that appeals to me.

C
 
Westward1 said:
Try someone's gun with tubes before you buy. Your Franchi with tubes will not feel anything like it feels without. I have never tried a matched weight carrier barrel set, but a tubed O/U takes some getting used to and I do not care for the feel.
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Hmm, more what I think is excellent advice, I love the way my Franchi feels now, so I will ask around and try a few. There are lots of guys at my club who shoot tubed to 410.

This is why you ask! Thanks all!
C
 
A gun with tubes installed into a 12 gauge barrel feels very barrel heavy unless you add weight to the back end to balance the gun. I spoke with the gentleman that builds all (or most) of Kolars tubes and he told me that you have a less than 50% chance that used tubes will fit into another gun, even if the barrels are the same bore. They can be made to fit, but the cost will be almost the same as new tubes.
 
I used to shoot 20ga out of my 101 12ga with a set of Browning Lil Skeeter chamber inserts now and again just for fun. I wouldn't use them in competition but to just shoot a couple rounds a week for fun? They weren't perfect but they were fun and cheaper than a new gun or tubes and at skeet ranges the targets broke just fine.
 
My default response would be yes get the tubes.

BUT, since you want to hunt with the gun, you are going to add close to a pound to the weight of the gun.

BUT!!! The most important point is that hunting loads CAN NOT be shot from tube sets no matter what anyone tells you.

Especially 20ga. tubes as the chambers are very thin. There is no danger to yourself, but you can crack the tubes.

You would also be limited to 2-3/4" shells.

Tubesets are made for target loads only!

EDIT TO ADD: Unless of course you keep your hunting loads in a similar shot size and velocity as a target load.
 
Thanks all, I think that this is all the info required to say no-for-now to tubes. Maybe someday when/if I ever get a high end skeet gun.

Now to start saving for that Franchi in 20!

Cheers,
D
 
You could also get some Briley Side Kick inserts, they are used by more than a few good skeet shooters and work well, while not adding a whole bunch of weight.
I bought some used ( I think the owner bought a full set of tubes) and weas qute impressed at just how well the Side Kicks worked in my 12 gauges!
Cat
 
don't waste your money trying to convert the gun you own into a "competition" gun. I've seen this same thing 100 times. The reason that a Krieghoff, Perazzi, etc. cost as much as they do is because they are made as competition guns to handle millions of rounds of ammuntion. Keep your Franchi for the hunting you like and if you decide to get serious save you money for something that is up to the task...................unfortunately this is going to sound harsh, but you can't put lipstick on a pig.........
 
smokinberetta said:
don't waste your money trying to convert the gun you own into a "competition" gun. I've seen this same thing 100 times. The reason that a Krieghoff, Perazzi, etc. cost as much as they do is because they are made as competition guns to handle millions of rounds of ammuntion. Keep your Franchi for the hunting you like and if you decide to get serious save you money for something that is up to the task...................unfortunately this is going to sound harsh, but you can't put lipstick on a pig.........
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Youre right it does sound harsh and its those kind of comments I have seen deter alot of potential members at clubs I have belonged to.
You are also right about the difference between a target gun and a hunting gun but most people don't start out trying a new game by running out and buying the 5- 15k target gun. They tend to run what they have and then move up if they decide to take the gun and game that seriously. Even the dominators in the game don't always run the upper end guns. Wayne Mayes dominated the NSSA through the 70's and into the 80's with a Winchester Model 1400 and if you ever followed ATA history a fellow by the name of Arnold Reiger used to absolutely dominate ATA shooting on the west coast and The Grand American with a plain barrel exposed hammer Model 37, thats a Winchester Cooey!!!!
 
catnthehatt said:
Not to mention guys like Barney Hartman, Lee Braun, etc, who shot pretty much factory Remingtons , Winchester 42's or a Superposed.
Cat
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Exactly! I saw alot of good scores shot with Model 12's, 1100's and the like......and a lot of wins at major events!! You do not NEED the high end target gun to shoot consistent, you need a gun that fits and you need to practice!!
 
the spank said:
Exactly! I saw alot of good scores shot with Model 12's, 1100's and the like......and a lot of wins at major events!!
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People seem to forget, this is what was used back in the day. There were no tube sets.

You do not NEED the high end target gun to shoot consistent, you need a gun that fits and you need to practice!!
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You tell people that and it's like talking to a wall. Very few put the time and effort into practice. Being a gear queer is much easier.
 
Wayne Mayes's Winchester's name was "Blondie" and Wayne was a fantastic man and perhaps the greatest shotgun shooter of all-time. I also agree that Barney Hartman and the people of that era had only autoloaders and pumps to shoot. I was coached by a world champion (and squad member of Barney's) and he only shakes his head at the equipment now vs. then. Top shooters today shoot a gun that is designed to withstand the punishment of 100,000's of rounds of use, the gun is fitted specifically to them and most competition guns are usually 8-9+ lbs. to help absorb recoil. Field guns are lighter because you have to carry them and the practicality of carrying a heavy gun just doesn't make as much sense when you might shoot a box of shells a day. If you're serious, save your money and buy a gun that is designed for tubes and buy the gun and then the tubes later. People are always so horney to buy an O/U that they run out and buy a low quality gun, find out by the second week that they've wasted their money, can't sell it, take a huge financial hit trying to find another "sucker" to buy the gun. Next thing is they're at the club with a gun they should have bought in the first place.......This process is as repetitive as watching the sun come up in the east and set in the west.
 
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