Would it be better to have my Encore 12" 480 ruger factory barrel ported or threaded for a break? Also who has the best reputation and price for said job?

Did you mean a brake? If all you wish to do is settle down the muzzle a bit, a couple of ports will do that. But if you wish to reduce overall recoil a brake is in order. A Ross brake would be the best bang for the buck.

yes i meant a brake. It has been a long day that started with 15 rounds of 480 out of my encore so my hands/arms arnt in correct working order. also will threading the barrel not make the area of thread fairly weak and will it leave enough material on the barrel since the 480 barrel is already a little thin at the muzzle?

also would the front sight mess with treading the barrel(i know the front sight would have to be removed but i am talking about where the front sight is mounted.

Call SSK Industries. They specialize in Encore's and Contenders. I had them cut the barrel and reinstall the front sight on a Freedom Arms Revolver I used to own. I can't say enough about how pleased I was with the job they did. They also do alot of Muzzle Brake work as well.

Most brakes are going to be larger in diameter than the barrel, especially with the larger bores, so the front sight would probably have to be set back if you wish to keep it.

Not to worry.

Can a removable muzzle brake be installed on an XP-100 .308?

One advantage of the brake over ports is if you don't like the brake you can remove it and install a thread protector . With ports you have to cut the barrel.Wheeler45 yes it can.I think my Savage Striker has the best of both worlds as it has a brake that can be turned off or on with just a twist of the wrist.

I just emailed SSK to see what their turn around time is and how much an arrestor brake would be. Everywhere else I looked only had brakes that went to .338 or only went to .44 or .45 caliber...

I'm curious how this turns out so keep us all posted.

PH

or Mag-na-port