this is not a "big bore rifle" question, but a 12ga does have a pretty good size bore so i thought it might be the place to get information.

i saw in a CDNN flyer that they are selling Mossberg Model 500 slug guns, which are ported, for $200. i got to wondering whether porting a shotgun has the same effect as porting a rifle.....an extremely loud blast. i have suspected, though i never really cared, that a shotgun operated at a much lower pressure. so i wondered if the porting might not raise the noise level as it does in a rifle. any info available on this?? thanks.......

Bill, not realy an answer for ya, but I had my Auto-10ga Pro-ported, it did help in keeping the bbl down during recoil, and I can't realy tell if the noise increase, to me it appears to be about the same

bill,

Porting shotguns do increase the noise level and blast for the shooter in the next cage, or stand. It is noticeable even with proper ear protection.

Porting by the way is illegal to use in international shotgun competion, such as International Skeet (Olympic), International Trap (Olimpic), and FITASC (International Sporting Clays).

I cannot see that it helps at shotgun pressures with either recoil or muzzle jump. I would not spend more mney to have it.

Many competion guns (for the American scene) come standard with porting (like the Browning Citori Sporters).

Regards,

Bob
Life Member NSCA (National Sport Clays Association)

Agree with effects noted above for ported guns. If it's recoil and/or muzzle jump (recovery for subsequent shots) that bothers you, shoot a bit lighter payload with the first shot/first barrel. If the gun is kicking the snot out of you, then it's probably the fit of the gun that's at fault.

Personally, I would not buy a gun with ported barrels - they are just plain ugly, hard to clean, and did I mention ugly. I think it is just an American market fad that sadly has taken hold for many major manufacturers.

Additionally, I have shot both (though I never owned a ported gun) and really did not notice much difference. With target loads, there is not enough pressure to do any work and with hunting loads there really isn't much more at the muzzles.

redleg

i agree that the ports can look kinda strange. recoil is not a problem for me, at least not at the 12 ga level. i just thought the price looked pretty good for this Mossberg but was a little turned off by the ports. if the noise level was not goijng to be a problem, i was considering buying one to use as a slug gun. i really do not like the noise situation in a hunting scenario though. i simply refuse to wear ear muffs while hunting. my hearing is already damaged from bad habits in the past and i didn't want to buy something that was gonna finish my ears off all together.

so, thanks for the input. good information as always......

Thought that porting would be great on my 12ga skeet gun and it was. Tried it on my hunting 12ga and ended up with ringing ears by the end of the day. The noise isn't worth it.