Does anyone know as to how much recoil reduction one can expect from a ported barrel? Is it worth it from an accuracy standpoint? How bad is the noise level?

Thanks for any thoughts you may have.

What cal are you thinking of having ported?

454 or 480

I wouldn't. More noise and dirt on your front sight. Had a .44 mag SBH done by Magna Port when Larry Kelly was killing everything on earth with a .44 mag. It did reduce muzzle flip but I wouldnt do it again

I have numerous Contender barrels and revolvers with various porting styles. I have determined that I prefer a non ported flip to a straight back push, with the push being more like catching a baseball bat in full swing with your bare hand. This of course is from the more powerful cartridges in my collection. I have also found that if you are putting some type of optics on the firearm, the powder residue will find it's way to the objective lens. This doesn't occur with the S-14 Contender barrels of course, but did occur with my S&W 629 Stealth, and several others with 5 to 7.5 inch barrels. While we're on the subject of porting, I would like to bring up a theory that I have about cast bullet accuracy in relation to porting. When shooting plain base or bevel base lead bullets through a Mag-na-ported barrel, the unsupported area of the bullets base gets flame/pressure cut and creates an unbalanced bullet. I suspect this due to working with a FA 83 in 475 Linebaugh, that has a 2 port MNP located near the front sight, and the base develops a lead build up after several rounds with plain base bullets. The accuracy of the plain/bevel based bullets I have tried has never been as good as gas checked or jacketed bullets. Anybody else experience a similar situation?

I have never been a fan of ported barrels. I have owned and shot just about all brands and lengths of 44 Magnums and several big boomer Contenders 358 JDJ, 45-70, 444, etc. 2 years ago I got my first ported revolver S&W 460XVR. Love the gun - hate the muzzle blast. I made a plug to press into the port to eliminate it. It really did very little or nothing at all to affect the recoil. I like it better without the port.
As had been said by the others, ports are noisy and dirty. Hunting guides hate them due to the side blast.

So do the Inconsiderate shooters next to me at the range with their braked AR and no brass catcher.

Thanks for the feedback.

X2 on the muzzle blast. It doesn't hurt to double up your hearing protection.

Depending on the brake you can tame them down a bunch.Look for some of Ernie Bishops videos on You Tube where he is using rifle scopes on some real thumpers. They do make the gun very loud.I have a Encore in 30-06 that I will not shoot again untill I get it braked.Bruised my thumb from lifeline to tip. Just NEVER shoot a braked gun without plugs or muffs.I hunt with Electronic muffs and have never felt hindered by them.They are softer shooting so that helps in the accuracy department.

Just got a .460 S&W 15" standard taper bbl for the Encore frame. Recoil is severe..blast the same. Any recommendations? I'm going to keep it as I'm a collector. Thanks,Rick.

Try SSK Industries' fish gill brake. Either that, or see if you can send the barrel to MGM to either have the built-in brake installed or have a removable brake added.

Talked to MGM..they gave me a price of 120 and about 2 weeks time. Will be considering it soon..this thing has vicious recoil! Thanks much!

Which option are you considering?

The magna-porting..

Nothing wrong with magna porting, but a good brake will reduce the recoil way more than the porting. I have porting on my 454 Casull and it makes a difference, but I have a brake on my 475 Linebaugh and it tamed the full tilt load recoil down comparable to heavy 44 mag loads.

KRal,

Who did you use for the brake?

Gary Reeder built the gun and installed the brake. SSK make a great brake as well.

Lots of good info guys..thanks much!

The SSK fish gill brake is excellent. I hunted on Texas a few years back with an Encore pistol chambered in .470 Nitro Express that was equipped with an SSK Fish Gill Brake. The recoil was not that bad, and I even killed a Sika doe with it. Liked it so much, I sent my .35 Whelen Improved Encore to SSK to have a fish gill installed.