What is the best for the LR speciality handguns? porting on just the top of the barrel or a brake that disperses the gas around the entire circumference of the barrel. This is in consideration of building a 6.5x284 XP, or perhaps porting my 284 Win MOA Maximum.
Thanks
Craig

Remember that it's going to give you a lot more muzzle blast. But if you must have it I would go with the Mag-Na-Port. I have it on 2 barrels that I purchased used and it works great.

I don't have experience with porting on only the top of the barrel, but on my .270Win. TC Encore custom barrel, the circumferential porting from Fox Ridge works wonders. There is no muzzle jump and recoil is less than my .223Rem. Which works best for you will probably depend more on what you want to use it for as the circumferential brake has worked fine hunting for me as I tend not to notice the muzzle blast, but during target practice it is definetly noticable and a can be a hindrance when shooting from a bench.

One brake that I use and is not detrimental to accuracy is the Vais Brake. i have one on my 6.5-284 and one on my 7.82 Patriot (XP's).

I woul;d definitely try to get 1 that directs the gasses upward tho. That dirt, and sand blowing everywhere from a std. brake does tend to be a nuisance, besides getting into places it doesn't need to be.

the OTT shark gill muzzle brake directs gas out the slots on each side. works great, but i havn't shot it in the dirt. i'm usually not that close to the ground. prone position would seldom work in most circumstances here.

this brake does screw on, and you can screw on a cap. i don't have a cap, but can't think of a time i wanna shoot the 300 win mag without a brake.

I have a 30-06 encore w/muzzle tamer from the custom shop and am very happy with it. Not much of a kick but does have a good muzzle blast. Gona get one or the other shooting an 06 or bigger out of a 15" barrel. I've been told that the t/c muzzel tamer is more effective than magna porting. Not sure on this but thats what im told.

Magnaporting would be my vote, if for no other reason than it doesn't cost you any barrel length.

Here's a really strange experience I've recently had that might shed some light or just add to the confusion...

A buddy of mine has an Encore barrel chambered in 454 Casull and of all the crazy things it was ported on the bottom of the barrel rather than the top.

We automatically assumed that it would INCREASE muzzle flip in this crazy configuration...

Our first trip to the range with it proved to be a total surprize. We were using Hornady factory ammo and quickly discovered to our amazement that the homemade "upside down" porting worked just fine. There was almost no muzzle flip and recoil was significantly less than we expected.

Draw your own conclusions, and I'd certainly not have a barrel ported on the bottom on purpose, but it sure does make me scratch my head and think a bit...

$bob$

Bob, I think it has to do with the angle of the ports. On my 375-06 JDJ, the ports are on the side and bottom. There is no flip at all, and the brake actually pulls the gun forward at the shot, so recoil is very minimal. The concussion however is most intense. I've also had an '06 barrel with the t/c factory brake, and worked extremely well!!

p.s., I guess if the ports are cut at a sharp angle, you would not want them on top as the gases would be directed closer to the top of your head.