Shotgun Sub-gauge Tubes

Trapper Wyo

I am a skeet shooter interested in shooting sub-gauge. I need your advice on whether sub-gauge tubes or separate barrels are the way to go with an over/under. Thanks

336marlin

Sub-gage tubes are more economical than the 4-barrel sets. When using tubes you have the same sight picture, which is a plus, and the same weight when the matched weight tubes are in the gun; & in the case of a carrier barrel system, the same weight for all 4 gages. If you don't have a carrier barrel system and shoot the 12ga event the guns barrels(12ga) must be rigorously cleaned before inserting any tubes. This might prove a problem if you don't have the time before your next time to shoot or tools with you to do a good cleaning job. Believe me they must be clean to get these tubes in because they are a tolerance fit. Because of this (among other reasons) many guys would just shoot the 20 in the 12 event, Also, some even shot a seperate gun (mainly an auto) in the 12. Many still shoot the auto even if they have a 4-barrel set. The set barrels are not exactly matched in weight and if this becomes a problem they usually require some custom clamp on weights especially in the .410. Barrel sets are nice and worry free when you get accustomed to them. The sight picture looking down a set of .410 barrels is quite different and requires total attention to the target and bead only. Skeet is a fun and challenging game with lots of nice and helpful people. The competition is yourself and if you enjoy competition your skill level will progress in the game. Hope this helps.

rmckuin

In my part of the world--Missouri--the sub guage tube sets are about all you see these days on the skeet fields. I would think that that is the right way to go. I have the Beretta 682 Gold with the Kolar tubes and couldn't be happier with the outfit. I have had it about 6 years.

It seems that most of us have taken the long way to get to the tube sets, but this is where we have all ended up!! I had a set of 4 Remington 1100's, then a Browning 4 barrel set and then moved up to the Beretta Gold.

Just my thoughts-others will differ I'm sure. Good luck with whatever you choose.

geeguy

I have owned and shot both. There is a sight picture difference by having the separate barrels as stated above, and in the old days it was common for shooters to have a 12 ga. and a 3 barrel set (my current method), so this added even more difference. The tubes can be a pain sometimes (also stated above) and certain shooters don't like that you need mechanical triggers.

IMHO - If shooting registered use the tubes in an O/U, in shooting for fun use the different barrels. I find I use the .410 and 28 ga. 90% of the time so the change is really fast and easy with the separate barrels.

PA Shootist

I have had Kolar tubes in my Browning Citori Skeet for about 15 years, with no problems. Most of the rest of the gang in our club have the same set-up, with either Kolar or Briley tubes. And most shoot registered birds in 4-gun shoots, using 20 gauge tubes for the 12 gauge events in order to keep the weight the same and reduce the recoil for the long runs. Then of course the 20, 28 and .410 tubes for those specific events. The 4-barrel sets are relatively scarce, and they were always way more expensive.