If you will reload 410 - don’t buy 410 tubes. Per my experience (Kolar and Briley tubes) - some of the reloaded 410 will stuck in the tube. Also a big advantage to have 410 shotgun - you can load any ammo. IMHO

 

You could have .410 bbl fit to your receiver as well. Barrel availability though is getting harder and expensive. But it is an option - Coles would be the place to start on a barrel hunt - have them fit it if they can round one up.

I shoot lots of reloaded .410 in briley tubes. Stick with AAHS hulls and you shouldn't have any trouble.

The downside of tubes is your gun balance will change between .410 and 28 ga.

I have the 28 ga field gun also, awesome little gun. I do wish I'd have sprung for the 28/.410 though.

 

I don't think Briley makes a set of .410 tubes for a 28ga. I have had barrel sets and tube sets, I don't shoot registered skeet, as of now I am very satisfied having a a gun for each gauge.

 

They do make 410 tubes for 28 ga barrels, but only custom jobs for individual guns. No universal drop-ins (ie companions).

I know because I am currently waiting on a pair of 410 sidekicks being made for my 28 ga sporting barrel. (I don’t like the added barrel weight of full length tubes…)

 

A good idea to get another 686 in 410 with the same length barrels. Weight and balance will be close.

 

FYI - I have called Briley and confirmed they do offer a set of fitted 410 tubes for 28 gauge. But only the 'standard', and not the :ultralight".

 

I bought a SPIII 28/410 combo from Joel Etchen. Best of both worlds.

 

I have the SP1 field 28/410 set with 28" barrels. I don't shoot the 28 ga often. To me it recoils more than my 5#5oz SxS. I love the 410. You say you have shot good scores with the Win 101 and Browning 725. Perhaps that platform fits you better than the Beretta. I shoot an old Browning Citori 12 ga for skeet and really like the fit of the Browning. I would not recommend the cheap o/u 410. Been there/done that route.

 

I was facing the same dilemma a couple of years ago. I was shooting my 28 gauge 687 silver pigeon iii for everything, and had the .410 itch. I looked at buying a cheaper gun but it didn’t have the fit and feel of my Beretta. I researched purchasing a set of 410 barrels from Beretta, Coles, and Joel Etchen. The cost getting the barrels and forearm then having it fitted was about 2/3 the cost of a new 687. I hated the way 410 tubes changed the dynamics of the Ruger 28 gauge. My solution was to save up a little more and buy a 410 Silver Pigeon that matched my 28.

 

I have a dedicated gun for shooting 410 and love it. I am glad I didn't do tubes. It's a Browning 725 and it's based on a 20 gauge receiver with 32 inch barrels. It smokes clays and it's not picky about ammo and great for skeet and sporting. One thing I discovered from this sight and a few older shooters in the know, I have both barrels choked Full. This is the only gun I do that with. When I use skeet chokes the breaks are anemic at best.

 

I have two of the Joel Etchen Silver Pigeon III Sporting in 28/410. As for why two, the #1 gun went down due to firing pins that were improperly heat treated and required replacement at only 7000 rounds fired. I shoot 4 gun Skeet and I wasn't as trusting of the 687 as I once was and didn't want to drop out of a shoot due to a lack of a working gun. Truth is that a 28/410 is all you need for 4 gun Skeet because the 28 will break Targets every bit as well as a 12 gauge. Actually this is also true for the 410 but for shooting Doubles I do want that 3/4 ounce shot charge. I'll also note my primary practice caliber is the 410, they are the least expensive shot shell to load.

So, I just checked Joel Etchen and they do have a 28 inch 410 barrel and forearm in stock for the 28 gauge 686. Cost is 1350.00 and it comes with 5 chokes in addition to a Forearm and Forearm Iron with EELL grade wood. The barrel set will require fitting but the end result is that you will find it balances very well on your 686 and the fit will be identical from the shooting standpoint. I also expect that with some practice you will find the 410 is a Joy to shoot and not nearly as difficult to hit with as some folks claim.

As for going with Briley Tubes, they will add about 1 lbs to your gun and the balance will be VERY Barrel heavy. End result is you will end up shooting something that feels like a very barrel heavy 20 gauge that requires a noticeable amount of effort to get the gun moving.

 

If you like Brownings, Guns Unlimited in Omaha offer .410 Citori Special Sporting guns with 30 or 32" barrels. It says to call for price. I believe they were around $2500. Steve

 

Considering your preferences and budget, I'd recommend starting with the Briley .410 tubes for your current Beretta 686.

 

How about 20 ga tubes for a new 686 12 ga SP1 Sporting with B-Fast stock? What tubes would you recommend?

 

Browning Citori White Satin in .410 - available at BPS. Good looking gun, great feel, good price, and it’s a Citori so you know it’s quality. Absolutely love this gun - it’s the only one I shoot anymore.

 

Option 1: Barrel only

https://www.beretta.com/en-us/product/beretta-28-686-687-410-gauge-over--under-barrel-28ga-receiver-field---mobilchoke-A7N6G111300211?srsltid=AfmBOor9dqBnPsvQhVNA0M30EfcOydW_C7Vbcf28-bc3-ZiU_2532MOV

Option 2: ($2326.97) new 686 shotgun

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/shotguns/beretta-686-silver-pigeon-410-gauge-3in-nickel-with-engraving-over-under-shotgun-28in/p/1535807

Option 3: Pre-owned 686 410 at Cabelas

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101782924

or

https://www.cabalas.com/shop/en/101805103

or

https://www.cabelas.com/p/101755609

The above Cabelas are listed as “used” but may be unfired. Call Cabelas to confirm

I went through this decision recently and opted for a preowned Krieghoff multi-barrel set (less than $6k all in) with 20/28/410 barrels and fixed SK/SK configuration

 

Deleted. Old topic

 

+1 to tubes.

I have tubes for my sub gauges. yes, the balance is going to change, but I think the dealing with the balance is much easier than another gun or another barrel set. Going to tubes was one of the best things I've done for sub gauge.

 

I have tubes for my gun and I really enjoy the .410. Never have issues with hulls sticking on reloads

 

I would look at a Franchi instinct in .410. Reasonably priced, good quality, good shooter. Barring that, I'd look at an ATA made gun in .410. Also decent quality for a turk that follows Beretta design.

I shoot a baikal .410. I find it similar enough to my Winchester 101s, and prefer the 20ga ish frame over the super light .410 specific frames. I found those too whippy. It's only disadvantage is being fixed mod/full, but in .410 that really doesnt matter.