barrel porting, school me!

[troy_mclure]

is it really that effective?
 can it be done aftermarket, or does it have to be done during the manf process?
does it affect accuracy, or muzzle velocity?
calibers it would be most/least effective on?

thanks for the info!

[ohiosam]

is it really that effective?

It can limit muzzle jump.

can it be done aftermarket, or does it have to be done during the manf process?

It can be done after market. Either Magnaported or a break that is screwed or welded on.

does it affect accuracy, or muzzle velocity?

If properly done it shouldn't hurt accuracy of the rifle( I'm assuming this isn't a bench rest gun) and no affect on velocity

There is on big negative to porting and that is noise. If you ALWAYS shoot with ear protection it isn't a big issue. Some hunting guides refuse the hunt with a guy with a ported barrel because they( the guides) don't where ear protection while guiding. 

[ohiosam]

I should add that the only gun I have that is ported in my Contender's 14" .44mag barrel. It is pleasant to shoot but I'd never shoot it with out hearing protection.   

[smokey66]

my 700BDL 300 win mag is ported. the recoil is similar to a 243 and it is very accurate. but, it is very, very loud.

[surveyor47]

If you want to know what a port can do for you, try shooting on the bench next to a guy with a 300 WinMag Browning BOSS.  Watch how fast the benches seem to clear. HMMMM.  Nobody is shooting today, except that 1 guy with the big gun.  Wonder Why?   

Porting can do wonderful things for your popularity.  For example, years ago at a skeet club I once belonged to, there was a very pretty young lady, with a squeeky voice and a ported Remington 1100.  "pULL!... BLAM!!!"  Before long, nobody wanted to shoot on the same squad with her, even though she was very pretty and pleasant to talk to- when that squeeky voice wasnt going "PULL!"

Before you purchase a ported gun, try shooting one from the ground prone, without benefit of a rug.  Make sure that you have goggles to protect your eyes from the dust and dirt that flies up in your face.

If you want real fun, try standing 10 yards to the side of someone firing a S&W 500 mag, which comes ported from the factory. Make sure you have on double hearing protection, triple if you can find the means. You should be able to feel the blast through your hair and through your toes.

[Keith L]

The first time anyone shot a .500 Smith at the indoor range where I shoot all the 8' florescent light tubes around him fell out and broke.  Quite a little concussion.  Now when someone shows up with one of those I finish shooting in a hurry.

[rcarter]

I have a 26" 300 win mag barrel for my Encore.   It has an EA Brown OPS Tactical/Varmit brake installed and I do find it reduces the recoil by nearly half.  With the brake and limbsaver pad, oh and not to mention correct fit !!!, the gun is by far more tolerable than my friends 260 rem H&R.  Does the rifle have muzzle blast of course it does, but to the point of others further up......It WON'T throw rocks in your face as you shoot period.  I would suggest that if the brake is used that you always use hearing protection, but that is true of ANY firearm no matter the caliber.  Safe hearing levels are NOT had at anytime with or without a muzzle brake.

[jager]

   "Porting" and use of a "muzzle brake" are two different barrel mods altogether.
   A brake is an attachment fitted to the end of the barrel (usually threaded and "screwed on") and has multiple holes drilled in the brake's tube. Yes, it is very loud; especially to the sides. Because it has holes drilled on the bottom side, it will create a "dust bomb" if you shoot from a "prone" position over dirt or sand. To shoot a braked rifle on a rifle range that has a "cover" is to experience a "sonic boom" in a bathroom.
   A brake is much more effective as a "recoil reducer" than a rifle ported. It has far more holes to deflect "gases" directionally to counter recoil. Most brakes are so loudly "obnoxious" that "guides" and "PH's" do not like their clients to use them. Some brake manufactures claim recoil reduction by as much as 50%. The brake is not rifled, so if it makes the rifle 2" longer it does not add any velocity and doesn't seem to reduce velocity either. Most users report that their accuracy is improved due to less recoil, others claim they would rather have the recoil than the "assault" on their ears.
   Porting, on the other hand, are cuts made on the top of the barrel end (usually on each side of the front sight). It is not near as loud as a brake and you can shoot prone without stiring up a "dust storm". While recoil reduction is at best 30%, it is a noticeable reduction in some really heavy calibers. I have a .375 H&H and a .308 that are ported and I have not been able to detect any loss in velocity or accuracy. Where I really like the porting is on the .375 where it also keeps "muzzle rise" to a minimum, as well as reducing "felt" recoil. I've never seen a "varmint" rifle ported (only braked) and have to wonder if it might work well on a 22/250 to enable the user to see his "hits" in his scope like a mild recoiling .223? The only company I know of that currently does porting is "MagnaPort", whereas there are many companies who make and install muzzle brakes.

[troy_mclure]

ive got a brake installed on my .204 now, and it IS loud. but there is almost no barrel jump. i might get my 45/70 bbl ported, the brake noise may be too much from it.

[Keith L]

Did you have muzzle jump before the brake?  I have a Contender carbine in .204 and with the tripod on it and the heavy scope I don't get jump.  I can see the hit in the scope.

[troy_mclure]

i had a fair bit of jump before hand, but i also have the 28" pro honter bbl, and no bipod.